It is not a secret that many companies use the phrase “email marketing” to describe their spamming behavior. Real email marketing is about sending useful, relevant messages to people who want to hear from you. But standard email marketing is not the point of this article.
What I have noticed over time is something far more frustrating: security companies are the biggest contributors to junk email traffic. This is ironic because these companies claim to be helping us build a safer online world. Instead, they are making our inboxes more chaotic, the same chaos they sell tools to fix. So let me explain.
The Spam Problem: A Personal Perspective
I have been tracking my email inbox for years. What I see is this: almost 95% of the junk emails I receive are from companies that sell security products or services. These include tools like AI security, XDR (Extended Detection and Response), zero trust solutions, cloud security platforms, and anything else that sounds “next-gen” or “cutting-edge.”
This is not a small issue. It is a massive one! When I look at the rest of my inbox, the emails from other industries like online shopping, random websites where I signed up, or even local businesses such as clothing stores, supplement companies, and mechanic shops, they combined generate less than 10% of the spam. Why is this happening?
The Hypocrisy of the Security Industry
Security companies are supposed to protect us from threats. They sell tools that help businesses block phishing emails, detect malware, and secure networks. Yet, these same companies are flooding inboxes with unsolicited messages. Only last week, I received 12 emails from different companies offering “AI-powered threat detection” or “next-gen XDR solutions.” All of them used the same template: a flashy subject line, a vague promise of “unmatched security,” and a call to “book a demo” or “schedule a call.” None of these emails were relevant to me. I have no interest in buying another security tool. But they keep sending them anyway.
What makes this even worse is that these companies are not even asking for my permission. They are just sending out mass emails to anyone who might be in a position to buy their product. This is not marketing, this is 10% pure spam!
The Real Problem: A Lack of Accountability
The security industry is one of the most profitable sectors in technology. Companies in this field often have large sales teams, aggressive marketing strategies, and a culture of “always selling.” But here’s the thing: they are not being held accountable for their spamming behavior. Other industries, like retail or finance, face stricter regulations when it comes to email marketing. Yet, security companies seem to get away with it. They can send thousands of emails a day, pretending they are helping businesses, while contributing to the very problem they claim to solve.
A Call for Change
This is not just a problem for me. It is a problem for everyone who uses email. Every time a security company sends a spam email, it makes it harder for real, useful messages to be seen. It also makes people more likely to ignore emails from legitimate sources.
The irony of security companies flooding inboxes with spam is not lost on me. It is a reminder that even the most well-intentioned industries can fall into bad habits. But this does not have to be the case. With the right changes, the security industry can lead by example by sending fewer, more relevant emails and focusing on real solutions to the problems they claim to solve.
Until then, I will continue to delete those emails 😀