Yes, it is necessary to correctly configure all three protocols. SPF and DKIM validate and verify the authenticity of the sending source. DMARC checks their proper application and takes action according to the security policies defined by your company when something doesn’t match.
SPF, DKIM, DMARC
Reduce spoofing and phishing, improve reputation and deliverability.
From the click on SEND to the recipient’s inbox: three security measures in sequence
In an email infrastructure, authentication progresses in stages. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC form a control chain from sending to delivery.
SPF defines and verifies, through DNS, that the sending IP address is authorized for the domain.
DKIM applies a cryptographic signature that protects the integrity of the sender’s domain, maintaining validity even in case of forwarding.
DMARC correlates SPF/DKIM with the alignment of the “From” field and enforces a policy on non-compliant messages, generating reports useful for detecting illegal sources and abuse.
The SPF → DKIM → DMARC sequence increases security and control over corporate email sending, adds an extra layer of anti-spoofing and anti-fraud protection, and helps identify threats early on.
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC: the combined benefits
In corporate and professional environments, email authentication involves all sending sources (CRM, ERP, Invoicing, Customer Support, and other SaaS applications).
The real benefits emerge only with a joint and proper configuration of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC: reputation protection, improved deliverability, and visibility over the use of your domain name.
What are the benefits for companies?
Reduction of spoofing and phishing
Context: Domains exposed across multiple channels
Mechanism: DMARC requires SPF and DKIM to be valid and aligned with the “From” field; otherwise, the message is rejected
Result: Drastic reduction in abuse attempts; lower risk of fraud
Consistent sender identity across all sending channels
Context: Newsletters, transactional emails, CRM
Mechanism: Verification of alignment between sender (“From”), DKIM signature, and sending from authorized IPs
Result: Assurance of correct configuration across all sending tools
Improved deliverability
Context: Anti-spam algorithms favor properly configured emails
Mechanism: DMARC enforces more thoroughly verified configurations
Result: Lower likelihood of sending unauthorized messages, higher quality of email deliveries
Improved visibility by defining policies and analyzing reports
Context: Most providers support policy enforcement and report delivery
Mechanism: Define policies in your domain’s DNS and analyze the reports you receive
Result: Lower risk of fraud and targeted action in case of anomalies or abuse
How to define your domain’s security policies
Qboxmail services allow you to easily and guidedly set all the requirements needed to secure your emails, such as a custom DKIM signature and DMARC report reception. We also forward DMARC reports to your correspondents, contributing to overall security and supporting the fight against fraud.
Available DMARC policies to choose from
DMARC policies specify how remote providers should handle an email sent using your company’s domain if SPF and/or DKIM are not valid:
- none: No specific action is required from the recipient, but reports are still received.
- quarantine: Recipients are asked to classify the message as potentially dangerous and place it in quarantine.
- reject: The recipient’s server is instructed to reject the message, refusing it because it was not legitimately sent by your company.
Practical uses of DMARC policies
- Detection of abuse and/or phishing: Identify unauthorized messages.
- Problem analysis and resolution: Spot legitimate emails that fail SPF/DKIM due to misconfigurations.
- Deliverability monitoring: Continuously track delivered and rejected messages.
Benefits of reports: DMARC reports include all essential details about messages (sending IP, SPF status, DKIM validation), providing full visibility over emails sent with your company’s domain and enabling precise, swift corrective actions.
Are these security measures already active on your emails?
Qboxmail helps companies and resellers correctly implement the security measures provided by DMARC to protect corporate emails.
FAQ
Yes, email forwarding can invalidate SPF. Qboxmail uses the SRS (Sender Rewriting Scheme) technique to make the sender valid again and, if necessary, re-signs the messages with DKIM to maintain DMARC compliance.
The time required to switch to “reject” depends on the sending sources. Using DMARC reports, the process is carried out in stages: none → quarantine → reject, once legitimate flows are confirmed to be compliant.
Yes, DMARC improves deliverability because it increases consistency and reduces abuse on the domain, stabilizing its reputation over time.
Yes, it is necessary to include all sending platforms. CRM, ERP, marketing, and help-desk systems must be covered to avoid failures and false positives.
