DMARC Email Security Explained
At SCG Midlands, we know how vital email is to day-to-day business. But with its convenience comes risk – and no threat is growing faster than email spoofing and phishing. These attacks target businesses of all sizes, but small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable. That’s why it’s essential to understand and implement DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance) to protect your business and brand.
What is DMARC and Why Does It Matter?
DMARC is an email validation system designed to detect and prevent email spoofing. It works alongside SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) to ensure only authorised senders can use your domain.
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
SPF checks whether the server sending the email is really allowed to use your domain name. If the server is not on the list, the email gets flagged as suspicious or blocked.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DKIM adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails. Think of it as sealing your message in a tamper-proof envelope. Receiving servers use this signature to confirm that the email really came from your domain and hasn’t been altered in transit.
Together, SPF and DKIM provide the authentication DMARC uses to check whether incoming messages are legitimate. If an email fails these checks, DMARC can take action—whether that’s monitoring, quarantining, or rejecting the message entirely.
With DMARC in place, businesses can:
- Prevent impersonation attacks that could deceive customers, partners, or staff.
- Stop phishing emails from reaching inboxes by blocking unauthenticated messages.
- Safeguard their reputation, ensuring that customers only receive legitimate emails from your domain.
- Gain insights and control over who is sending emails on your behalf.
Why SMEs Can’t Afford to Ignore DMARC
According to the latest industry data, nearly half of businesses have no DMARC policy in place, and even fewer enforce it. Without it, fraudsters can easily impersonate your domain, leading to:
- Financial fraud and scams
- Data breaches
- Loss of customer trust
- Legal and regulatory issues
As a regional partner for SMEs, SCG Midlands often sees businesses mistakenly believe that these kinds of attacks are reserved for larger enterprises. Unfortunately, cyber criminals increasingly target smaller businesses, viewing them as softer targets with weaker defences.
How SCG Midlands Can Help
Implementing DMARC can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. At SCG Midlands, we offer:
- Expert advice and tailored solutions to help you configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC properly.
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting so you can see who’s sending email using your domain and stop any unauthorised use.
- Cyber Security Awareness Training to ensure your team is informed about email-based threats and best practices.
Take Control of Your Email Security Today
DMARC is not a “nice to have” anymore – it’s a critical part of any modern cyber security strategy. At SCG Midlands, we make it easy for SMEs to adopt robust security measures that protect both their data and reputation.
Talk to us today to find out how we can help you implement DMARC and strengthen your email security.
