How Does Authentication Help Your Email Delivery?

Authentication secures your identity and makes the (email) world safer. Learn what authentication is, how it benefits your email's deliverability, and how DMARC plays a role.

What is Authentication?

Authentication is an "ID check" for your mail streams: it validates that the email is actually from you, and not some spammer impersonating you. Authenticating your email streams does not ensure that your email will be delivered, but it helps ISPs to further differentiate your business from spammers and other illegitimate senders. As fraudulent “phish” emails and other deceptive practices endanger consumers and businesses, authenticating your email is one positive step you can take today to make the email world a better place.

How Does Authentication Work?

There are two main methods of authentication that you should implement:

• Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM)
• Sender Policy Framework (SPF)

Instructions for SPF and DKIM setup can be found here: Setting Up DNS for Cortex Email.  Contact tech support if you do not know your domain keys. 

DMARC - Domain Message Authentication, Reporting, & Conformance

DMARC is a set of instructions passed along to email providers along with your SPF and DKIM authentications.  It contains directions for ESPs to allow, quarantine, or block messages from your domain that do not authenticate properly.  

DMARC is important because it tells email providers that you are serious about message security and authentication.  If another sender pretends to send from your domain, DMARC provides instructions for how to handle these messages.  This is most important for institutions like banks and schools, who handle sensitive private data, but including DMARC will help anyone's deliverability and sender reputation.

Sendgrid - DMARC Guide