Why free alternatives can't replace NCSC's Web Check

TL;DR:

With NCSC discontinuing Web Check on 31 March 2026, some vendors are promoting "forever-free" alternatives. But for UK public sector organisations managing critical infrastructure and sensitive data, free tools create more problems than they solve. Red Sift ASM, available directly through G-Cloud 14, provides enterprise-grade attack surface management with UK hosting, integrated MTA-STS support (the only vendor on G-Cloud 14 offering hosted MTA-STS), and the robust security that government frameworks demand.

Red Sift is the only DMARC and ASM vendor on G-Cloud 14 that offers MTA-STS. Being UK-hosted, customers benefit from direct service delivery, ensuring data sovereignty, NCSC-aligned support, and streamlined procurement. While free alternatives may seem attractive, they lack the compliance features, support infrastructure, and security guarantees that public sector organisations require.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has announced that both Mail Check and Web Check services will be discontinued on 31 March 2026. As organisations begin evaluating alternatives, some vendors are positioning "forever-free" solutions as replacements for these trusted services.

But here's the reality: free tools aren't built for the complex security requirements, compliance frameworks, and operational demands of UK public sector organisations. When protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive citizen data, the hidden costs of "free" can be substantial.

Free security solutions often sound appealing, but they come with significant limitations that public sector organisations can't afford:

• Limited feature sets and functionality: Free tiers typically offer basic monitoring with restrictive limits on the number of domains, subdomains, or assets you can protect. As your digital estate grows, you'll quickly hit these ceilings, forcing you to either upgrade or leave parts of your infrastructure unmonitored.
• No compliance guarantees: UK government organisations must meet stringent requirements including the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF), NCSC guidance, and data protection regulations. Free tools rarely provide the compliance documentation, audit trails, or security certifications that government procurement and security teams require.
• Minimal support when you need it most: When a critical security issue emerges, free tools typically offer limited support options, community forums, or slow ticket response times. During an active incident or when racing against a compliance deadline, this can be the difference between containment and catastrophe.
• Data sovereignty concerns: Many free security tools are hosted outside the UK, raising questions about data residency, jurisdiction, and compliance with UK data protection requirements. For public sector organisations handling sensitive information, where your security data is stored and who has access to it matters enormously.
• No service level agreements: Without SLAs, you have no guarantee of uptime, performance, or response times. For organisations that need reliable, continuous monitoring of their attack surface, this lack of accountability is a serious operational risk.

While evaluating Web Check alternatives, it's crucial to understand that the UK government has made MTA-STS a mandatory requirement. The government's secure email policy explicitly states that organisations must use providers that enforce MTA-STS policies when sending outbound email, and must publish MTA-STS policies for inbound protection.

MTA-STS (Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security) prevents email from being downgraded to unencrypted connections, protecting against person-in-the-middle attacks that could expose sensitive government communications. The NCSC specifically recommends MTA-STS as essential for protecting email privacy, yet many DMARC vendors on G-Cloud 14 don't offer integrated MTA-STS hosting.

Red Sift OnDMARC is the only vendor on G-Cloud 14 offering UK-hosted MTA-STS alongside comprehensive attack surface management. This integration means you can deploy and manage MTA-STS policies with a single click, rather than juggling multiple providers or attempting complex manual configurations. For organisations transitioning from Web Check and Mail Check, having MTA-STS and attack surface monitoring unified under one platform significantly simplifies security operations.

Red Sift ASM provides the comprehensive attack surface management that UK public sector organisations need, with features and support that free alternatives simply cannot match:

Red Sift stands apart as the only ASM and DMARC provider on G-Cloud 14 offering direct service delivery. While competitors like Valimail are only available through reseller partners, Red Sift gives you the choice of working directly with our award-winning Customer Success team or engaging with experienced managed service partners.

Red Sift is UK-headquartered and UK-hosted, ensuring your security data never leaves British jurisdiction. This isn't just a technical detail – it's a compliance requirement for many public sector organisations and a critical consideration for maintaining data sovereignty over sensitive security information. Being based in the UK also means public sector organisations benefit from immediate access, not limited to timezones or poor customer service wait times. Red Sift is ready to support your UK business from day one.

Red Sift is a recognised contributor to NCSC guidance, having supported the ACD's 2024 EASM market research. With Ciaran Martin, former NCSC CEO, on our advisory board, we maintain unique alignment with NCSC’s priorities and requirements.

Red Sift ASM delivers the visibility that organisations relied on from Web Check, enhanced with modern capabilities:

• Continuous asset discovery: Automatically identifies shadow IT, cloud assets, and internet-facing infrastructure across your entire digital footprint
• Security analysis with prioritised remediation: Detects DNS misconfigurations, outdated software, exposed services, and certificate issues, presenting findings with clear, actionable guidance
• Integrated certificate management: Automated discovery and intelligent alerts for SSL/TLS certificates prevent the costly outages and security gaps caused by expired certificates
• Unified visibility: Seamlessly integrates with Red Sift OnDMARC for organisations needing both email security and attack surface management under one platform

Red Sift maintains an exceptional 4.9 out of 5 rating on G2, reflecting consistent delivery of outstanding customer experiences. Our Customer Success team provides the responsive, knowledgeable support that public sector organisations need:

• Email, phone, web chat, and onsite support options
• Dedicated account management for complex deployments
• Expert guidance on NCSC compliance requirements
• Proactive monitoring and security recommendations

Red Sift holds ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials certifications, providing the security assurance that government procurement requires. These aren't just badges – they represent audited, verified security practices and controls.

For organisations currently using both Web Check and Mail Check (which ended aggregate reporting in March 2025), Red Sift offers a complete solution. Red Sift ASM works seamlessly alongside Red Sift OnDMARC, providing:

1. Unified visibility across email authentication and external attack surface
2. Single vendor relationship simplifying procurement and support
3. Integrated security posture view combining email and infrastructure threats
4. Comprehensive protection that meets all UK government email security requirements:
5. + DMARC, DKIM, and SPF implementation and monitoring
6. + MTA-STS hosting and management
7. + TLS reporting for encryption issue identification
8. + Dynamic SPF management bypassing the 10-lookup limit

This unified platform approach means security teams can manage their entire external security posture from a single interface, dramatically reducing complexity and improving response times.

With the March 2026 deadline approaching, now is the time to move beyond "free" and invest in the comprehensive security your organisation requires. Here's how to get started:

1. Assess your current Web Check usage: Document what you're monitoring and the security insights you depend on
2. Review compliance requirements: Ensure your chosen solution meets CAF, NCSC guidance, and procurement standards
3. Evaluate MTA-STS needs: Confirm your solution provides integrated MTA-STS hosting, not just monitoring
4. Consider the total cost of ownership: Factor in support, training, integration effort, and compliance documentation – not just the initial price tag
5. Plan your migration timeline: Give yourself adequate time for thorough testing and validation before the deadline

Red Sift ASM, available directly through G-Cloud 14, offers the comprehensive, compliant, and supported attack surface management solution that UK public sector organisations need. While free alternatives may look attractive on paper, the hidden costs in functionality, support, and compliance risk make them a false economy for organisations protecting critical infrastructure.

Don't wait until the deadline approaches. Start your evaluation now to ensure seamless transition and continuous protection.