Guidelines
Comprehensive Email Security Guide
Protect your organization from email-based threats with advanced security protocols, best practices, and a DMARC monitoring tool like DMARCeye.
Jack Zagorski
Aug 26, 2025
Email Security Threat Landscape
The threat of phishing attacks is alarmingly high, with 83% of organizations falling victim to these schemes. Business Email Compromise is a significant concern, leading to staggering losses of $1.8 billion each year. Moreover, domain spoofing has surged by 400% since 2020, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals. It's also worth noting that 67% of these attacks leverage trusted brands to deceive unsuspecting users.
Security Alert
96% of successful phishing attacks start with email. Implementing proper email security protocols is critical for protecting your organization.
Core Email Security Protocols
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
Specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. Prevents attackers from forging your domain in the "envelope from" address.
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:mailgun.org ~all
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
Uses cryptographic signatures to verify that emails haven't been altered in transit and confirms the sender's identity through digital signatures.
selector._domainkey.yourdomain.com IN TXT "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=..."
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)
Builds on SPF and DKIM to provide policy instructions for handling authentication failures and detailed reporting on email authentication results.
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com; pct=100
Advanced Email Security Measures
Email Encryption
Implement end-to-end encryption for sensitive communications using S/MIME or PGP protocols. This ensures that even if emails are intercepted, the content remains protected.
- S/MIME certificates for enterprise-wide encryption
- PGP keys for individual user encryption
- TLS encryption for email transmission
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Secure email accounts with additional authentication layers beyond passwords. This significantly reduces the risk of account compromise.
- Time-based one-time passwords (TOTP)
- Hardware security keys (FIDO2/WebAuthn)
- Biometric authentication
- SMS-based verification (less secure)
Email Filtering and Scanning
Deploy advanced threat detection systems to identify and block malicious emails before they reach users' inboxes.
- AI-powered threat detection
- Sandbox analysis for attachments
- URL reputation checking
- Content analysis and data loss prevention
Email Security Best Practices
User Education
Regular training on identifying phishing attempts, social engineering, and suspicious email patterns.
Regular Audits
Periodic security assessments and penetration testing of email infrastructure.
Incident Response
Established procedures for handling email security incidents and breaches.
Access Controls
Principle of least privilege and regular review of email system access permissions.