On December 4, 2025, Halon released Halon Protect 17, the latest version of its inbound email security platform. The update focuses on improving protection against malicious email, simplifying administration, and strengthening encryption capabilities.
What is new
Halon Perimeter
A new feature that applies adaptive controls to incoming email from unknown or low-reputation IP addresses or domains. Emails from unfamiliar sources can be temporarily delayed or rate-limited while filters analyze and classify them. This reduces the risk of spam, phishing, or malware while allowing legitimate emails to pass once verified.
OpenID Connect support for the web admin interface
The admin interface now supports modern single sign-on using OpenID Connect. This simplifies authentication, improves interoperability with identity providers, and removes the need for proxy-based workarounds.
Accessibility enhancements
The web interface has improved color contrast, text resizing, keyboard navigation alternatives, and a clearer content structure. Automated checks before each release prevent accessibility issues from being introduced.
Full S/MIME support for gateway-enforced encryption and signing
Halon Protect 17 now fully supports Cryptographic Message Syntax. This enables signing, verification, encryption, and decryption at the gateway without requiring users to change tools or workflows. It is particularly useful for organizations with strict security or regulatory requirements.
Other improvements
- SMTP-based forward authentication in the user management interface
- Configurable approved quarantine-forwarding and reporting destinations
- Replacement of the external libspf2 library with an internal SPF implementation
Why it matters
Halon Protect 17 strengthens security, usability, and compliance. Halon Perimeter provides better first-line defenses against suspicious senders. Full S/MIME support allows secure, standards-based email encryption and signing. OpenID Connect simplifies identity integration, and accessibility improvements make the interface easier to use for all team members. Overall, this release enhances email protection while making management simpler and more efficient.
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