Web and email security firm Webroot has added major new upgrades to its software-as-a-service (SaaS) email product designed to offer improved manageability and policy enforcement.

Webroot E-Mail Security SaaS now features enhanced image scanning for improved spam detection with fewer false positives, according to the firm.

The offering also provides administrators with greater granularity over user configuration settings, as well as more automation for managing end-user accounts and settings.

In addition, attachment scanning functionality has been expanded to cover over 300 types of attachment.

Webroot chief executive Peter Watkins argued that the SaaS model can help free IT departments to maximise limited resources, while maintaining a strong security model.

"Email and web are probably two of the best applications you can imagine doing as a service offering," he added.

"It allows organisations to focus on business-critical functions rather than having to worry about the continuous management and expenses associated with traditional hardware or software solutions."

The new version of Webroot E-Mail Security SaaS is available now and is a free upgrade for all existing customers.