Email is one of the biggest targets for criminals, stemming from the fact that back when email was first introduced, there was very little consideration given to cybersecurity and therefore, it was not designed to be protected from online attacks. This unfortunately means that criminals do not need to have any special skills to be able to breach your email system.

Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in your email systems through phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and email compromising fraud. One of the most effective ways to protect your domain and users from the threats associated with these attacks is by implementing DMARC (Domain Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance). In this blog, we will discuss why DMARC is an essential tool for the security of your email, business, and assets and why it is no longer simply best practice, but a must-have.

Check if you have DMARC with a policy in place.

What is DMARC?

DMARC is an anti-spoofing protocol for email domains that allows domain owners to protect their email domain from unauthorised use.

Why is DMARC Important?

1.      Prevents Email Spoofing and Phishing

Email spoofing is a tactic employed by criminals to dupe recipients into believing that the email is coming from a known and trusted source. DMARC helps in blocking these fraudulent emails from reaching the inboxes of intended recipients by allowing the owner of the domain to create policies that allow rejection or quarantining of emails that are unauthorised. For example, john.smith@yourcompany.co.uk has had his email compromised by criminals. He does not have DMARC in place; therefore, emails can be sent to his clients using his domain name. This could lead to the changing of bank details, defrauding of customers, and the damaging of his brand. An effective DMARC policy would have recognised that these emails did not originate from his company and will block them from being sent.

2.      Enhances Brand Trust and Reputation

A compromised domain can damage your brand's reputation and customer trust. There is only one good way to stop this from happening, which is by employing DMARC. DMARC provides direct protection mechanisms to reinforce legitimate emails on behalf of your domain, thereby making scams associated with your brand less likely to happen.

3.      Provides Reporting

Once implemented, DMARC provides a reporting mechanism whereby domain owners receive consistent activity reports about email authentication. These reports will provide insights into any potential domain breaches and allow additional measures to be taken to protect the domain.

4.      Improves Email Deliverability

Email providers will prioritise authenticated emails, meaning emails that pass DMARC checks are more likely to reach the inboxes of your recipients rather than being flagged as spam or ended up in junk mailboxes. DMARC enhances the deliverability of your emails and ensures that your customers are receiving important news and updates from you in a timely manner.

5.      Compliance with Security Standards

Most regulations and security best practices recommend or require the use of DMARC to secure email communications. DMARC not only supports the overall cybersecurity of your organisation, but it also helps your company align with industry security standards.

DMARC is a powerful tool that will help protect your email system against fraud and online crime. In doing this, it will also protect your brand, customers, and supply chain from phishing attacks and email spoofing. In a world where email security is a primary concern, DMARC cannot just be an option; it must be considered as a necessity for organisations today.

If your organisation is still not using DMARC, now is the time to do something about it. Strengthen your email security today and save your company’s communications from cyber threats.

Contact your managed service provider (MSP) today to discuss implementing DMARC and secure your email domain today.

For more information on DMARC and how we can help you secure your email system, get in touch with us today on enquiries@secrc.police.uk