What is the difference between inbound and outbound filtering in email security?

Inbound filtering is primarily responsible for assessing incoming emails as they arrive in an organization’s email system. This filtering mechanism primarily aims to identify and mitigate potential threats such as spam, malware, phishing attempts, and other types of malicious content that could compromise the security and integrity of the organization's email environment. By examining the contents of incoming emails, inbound filtering helps to protect users from harmful messages that could lead to data breaches or other security incidents.

This process typically involves various techniques, including virus scanning, content filtering, and reputation checks, ensuring that only legitimate, safe emails reach the end-users’ inboxes. By clearly establishing the role of inbound filtering in monitoring and controlling incoming traffic, it becomes evident why the choice centered on its function as a threat detection mechanism is accurate and crucial for maintaining an organization's email security posture.