Rather than rebranding an existing email security product, the Topmail service is based on anti-spam, antivirus and content filtering technology designed in-house called Blockmail. The company said software engineers spent 18 months working on its first webmail offering.

It's understood Top Security doesn't expect any direct revenue generation from Topmail, but is aiming to use the service as a platform to advertise its Blockmail technology. In effect this means it is setting up an alternative to Gmail or Hotmail in order to showcase its wares.

Since it took a 7m majority stake in the Systemhouse Technology Group in 2004 and merged the IT security firm with its own IT division, Irish-owned Top Security has been offering IT security alongside traditional manned security guard and CCTV monitoring services.

Top Security founder and group chairman Emmet O'Rafferty, who employs 2,000 staff across operations in Ireland, Britain and South Africa, said his latest product was aimed at the small-business market where a lack of IT skills can result in insecure communications.

"Topmail is compliant with most internal office policies regarding the internet, as well as being above international best practices regarding inappropriate content, " he said.