What Is JSON?

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based format used for structuring and exchanging data between systems. It’s widely used in web applications, APIs, and configuration files because it’s easy for humans to read and for machines to parse.

In the context of email security and reporting, JSON often appears in data formats such as DMARC forensic reports (RUF) or certain API integrations that transmit structured authentication data. JSON represents information as key–value pairs enclosed in curly braces {}, for example:

This structure makes it ideal for transmitting email authentication outcomes, logs, and configurations in a standardized way.

How JSON Works

JSON uses a simple syntax derived from JavaScript but is now language-independent. It’s supported by nearly every modern programming language, making it a universal data exchange format.

The basic components of JSON are:

• Objects: Collections of key–value pairs, e.g., { "key": "value" }
• Arrays: Ordered lists of values, e.g., [ "a", "b", "c" ]
• Primitives: Strings, numbers, booleans, or null values

When used in APIs or data exports, JSON ensures that structured information can be easily parsed, searched, and displayed by systems like dashboards or reporting tools.

For example, a DMARC analytics platform may send or receive data in JSON format to represent authentication statistics or domain configurations.

The Role of JSON in Email Security

JSON plays an increasingly important role in email authentication and reporting because it’s compact, consistent, and easy to automate.

• DMARC reports: While most aggregate reports are XML, some modern implementations support or export data in JSON for better readability and integration with analytics platforms.
• APIs: Many email security tools, including those for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC monitoring, use JSON to send and receive configuration data or authentication results.
• Automation: Security systems and SIEM tools often rely on JSON logs to detect anomalies or track domain abuse across email channels.

Because JSON is both machine-friendly and human-readable, it bridges the gap between technical email authentication mechanisms and visualization or monitoring systems.

JSON and DMARCeye

DMARCeye uses JSON as a key format for data exchange within its reporting and API integrations. By normalizing complex DMARC reports and authentication results into structured JSON, DMARCeye allows users to:

• Analyze authentication outcomes programmatically.
• Integrate DMARC data into custom dashboards or security tools.
• Simplify automation for compliance and deliverability monitoring.

In short, JSON helps DMARCeye transform raw authentication data into actionable insights, making domain protection easier to manage.

Sign up for a free trial of DMARCeye today and secure your email domain.

To learn more about DMARC and DMARC-related terms, explore the DMARCeye Glossary.