Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) is an email authentication protocol that helps protect email domains from unauthorized use. It enables domain owners to specify how email messages from their domain should be authenticated and what actions should be taken for unauthenticated emails. DMARC policies are published in the DNS (Domain Name System) records of the domain.

If you are looking to implement a new DMARC policy, here are the basic steps you can follow:

• Assess Your Current Email Infrastructure:
  • Understand your current email sending infrastructure and identify all legitimate sources of email from your domain.
  • Ensure that your email sending infrastructure is aligned with DMARC requirements.
• Create DMARC Record:
  • Create a DMARC TXT record in your domain's DNS settings. This record specifies the DMARC policy for your domain.
  • The DMARC record includes information such as the enforcement policy, reporting options, and contact information.
• Define DMARC Policy:
  • Set your DMARC policy to one of the following enforcement levels:
• None: Monitor only, no action is taken based on the DMARC policy.
• Quarantine: Suspicious emails are marked as spam.
• Reject: Unauthenticated emails are rejected.
• Set Up Reporting:
  • Configure DMARC reports to receive feedback on email authentication results. This helps you monitor the effectiveness of your DMARC policy and identify any issues.
• Gradual Implementation:
  • Consider starting with a "p=none" policy (monitoring mode) initially to collect and analyze DMARC reports without affecting the delivery of legitimate emails.
  • Once you are confident in the results, gradually move to a stricter enforcement policy (e.g., "p=quarantine" or "p=reject").
• Monitor and Adjust:
  • Regularly review DMARC reports to identify any unauthorized use of your domain.
  • Adjust your DMARC policy as needed based on the feedback and the evolving email landscape.
• Communicate Changes:
  • Inform stakeholders within your organization about the new DMARC policy and its potential impact on email delivery.
  • Work with third-party email senders to ensure they comply with your DMARC policy.

It's important to note that implementing DMARC can impact legitimate email delivery if not done carefully. Therefore, it's recommended to test and monitor the impact before enforcing strict policies. Additionally, staying informed about best practices and updates in email authentication is crucial for maintaining a secure email environment.

If you are having issues sending or receiving issues on account of DMARC, and the Sending warehouse portal domain is hosted by FORT, please contact FORT for guidance.