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+ + +Following our review of Quantum WMS's current email infrastructure, we have identified significant security deficiencies in your existing Intermedia hosted Exchange setup.
+We are recommending a migration to Microsoft 365 Business Premium with Mailprotector as a managed email security frontend. This solution is technically superior, more cost-effective, and fully satisfies your regulatory compliance requirements under FINRA Rule 4511 and SEC Rule 17a-4.
+Before we finalize the migration plan, we need one item from Sheila (detailed at the end of this document).
+Your email is currently hosted by Intermedia on their Exchange Server cluster. This is an important distinction: Intermedia is not running Microsoft's cloud. They run Exchange Server software in their own data center, the same software that runs on an on-premises server. This has major security implications.
+ +Our DNS assessment revealed the following active security risks:
+ +Because Intermedia runs Exchange Server — not Exchange Online — your infrastructure is subject to the same critical vulnerabilities that have affected on-premises Exchange servers globally:
+ +| Vulnerability | +Disclosed | +Impact | +
|---|---|---|
| ProxyLogon (CVE-2021-26855) | March 2021 | Full server compromise, mass-exploited worldwide |
| ProxyShell (CVE-2021-34473) | August 2021 | Remote code execution without authentication |
| ProxyNotShell (CVE-2022-41040) | October 2022 | Actively exploited before patch availability |
| OWASSRF (CVE-2022-41080) | December 2022 | Used in the Rackspace hosted Exchange breach |
Microsoft patches Exchange Online the same day vulnerabilities are disclosed. Intermedia patches their hosted clusters on their own schedule. The gap between disclosure and deployment is precisely when attacks occur.
+ + + +A complete cloud-native productivity and security platform that replaces Intermedia entirely:
+ +| Service | What It Provides |
|---|---|
| Exchange Online | Cloud email, Microsoft-managed, same-day security patching |
| Office Apps (Desktop) | Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint on up to 5 devices per user |
| Microsoft Teams | Chat, video conferencing, file collaboration |
| OneDrive / SharePoint | 1 TB cloud file storage per user |
| Microsoft Purview | FINRA/SEC 17a-4 compliant email archiving (WORM storage) — included |
| Defender for Office 365 | Safe Links, Safe Attachments, advanced anti-phishing |
| Microsoft Entra ID P1 | Conditional Access, MFA enforcement, sign-in risk detection |
| Microsoft Intune | Mobile device and PC management |
Mailprotector sits in front of Exchange Online as an additional filtering layer: inbound spam and malware are blocked before mail reaches your inbox. ACG configures and monitors it; you do not need to manage it.
+ +| Capability | +Intermedia (Current) | +M365 + Mailprotector | +
|---|---|---|
| Exchange CVE Exposure | +Yes — Server CVEs | +No — Exchange Online | +
| Same-Day Security Patching | +No | +Yes | +
| Inbound Threat Filtering | +Basic | +Mailprotector + Defender | +
| Safe Links / Safe Attachments | +No | +Yes | +
| MFA Enforcement Policy | +Manual, per-user | +Conditional Access (Entra P1) | +
| DMARC / DKIM / SPF | +Not managed | +ACG-configured | +
| FINRA/SEC 17a-4 Archiving | +Extra-cost add-on | +Included (Purview) | +
| Desktop Office Apps | +No | +Yes | +
| Mobile Device Management | +No | +Yes (Intune) | +
| Sign-In Risk Detection | +No | +Yes (Entra P1) | +
You have indicated that your Broker/Dealer may require Intermedia for compliance purposes. We want to address this directly.
+ +Please locate and provide the written policy from your Broker/Dealer that specifies your email and security compliance requirements.
+We are looking for any document that defines which platforms are approved or required, specifies archiving or retention standards, or names Intermedia as a required provider.
+Please have this document — or confirmation that no such document exists — ready for our meeting on Tuesday, May 27 at 2:00 PM.
+