E-mail remains one of the most powerful communication channels for organizations worldwide. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most vulnerable to abuse, such as phishing and spoofing. Major players such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are now implementing stricter security requirements, including mandating DMARC authentication for companies that send a lot of emails.
But what does this mean for your organization? And how can you protect your e-mail domain from misuse?
What is DMARC and why is it important?
DMARC stands for Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. It is a security standard that helps email recipients verify that a message really comes from the specified sender. This counteracts spoofing – in which attackers use your domain to send fake emails.
As of now, major e-mail providers require companies that send more than 500 e-mails per day to implement DMARC. Without this security, your emails may be rejected or end up in the recipient’s spam folder, which can lead to:
- Loss of customers due to miscommunication;
- Reputational damage due to misuse of your domain for fraudulent emails;
- Less confidence in your organization.
How can you prepare?
Implementing DMARC requires a step-by-step approach:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): ensure that all mail servers sending emails on behalf of your domain are included in an SPF record.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Configure DKIM to digitally sign your emails so recipients know they are trusted.
- DMARC: Set up a DMARC policy and monitor email traffic to make sure everything is working correctly.
Why continuous monitoring is necessary
Even if DMARC is set up correctly, changes within your organization (such as new mail servers or software) can affect email security. Without ongoing monitoring, your emails may still be blocked.
How we can help
With our Domain Name Protection service, we take the work off your hands. We ensure proper implementation of SPF, DKIM and DMARC and continuously monitor your domains. This keeps your email traffic reliable and secure, without you having to worry about technical details.
Want to know how to best secure your email domain? Get in touch with us!