Email security is a growing concern as cyber threats become more sophisticated. The next evolution of DMARC—known as DMARCbis—aims to strengthen email authentication and address the limitations of the current standard.
As phishing attacks increase in scale and complexity, understanding these changes is essential for protecting your organisation.
Understanding DMARC
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) helps organisations prevent email spoofing by verifying that messages are sent from authorised sources. It builds on SPF and DKIM to validate emails and instruct receiving servers on how to handle suspicious messages.
By enforcing authentication, DMARC improves deliverability, reduces phishing risk, and protects brand reputation. However, traditional DMARC can be complex to implement and often lacks the visibility needed to fine-tune policies effectively.
Enter DMARCbis
DMARCbis is the next-generation update designed to overcome these challenges. It simplifies implementation, improves reporting, and introduces more flexible policy enforcement.
Key improvements include:
- Enhanced reporting with greater visibility into email authentication results
- More flexible policy controls for complex environments
- Better alignment with modern email systems
These changes make DMARCbis more accessible and effective for organisations of all sizes.
Key Enhancements
DMARCbis strengthens email security through improved authentication mechanisms and clearer configuration:
- More resilient protection against spoofing and phishing
- Simplified DMARC record structure for easier management
- Improved feedback loops for faster issue detection
Together, these enhancements help IT teams respond more quickly to threats while maintaining reliable email delivery.
Why Email Security Matters More Than Ever
Cyber threats are increasing, with phishing remaining a leading cause of data breaches. The shift to remote work and cloud-based systems has further expanded the attack surface.
Security incidents can result in financial loss, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Strong email authentication—supported by DMARCbis—is now a critical component of any cybersecurity strategy.
Strengthening Domain Security with DMARC
DMARC records define how unauthenticated emails are handled and provide reporting insights. When properly configured, they:
- Reduce domain spoofing
- Improve email trust and deliverability
- Provide visibility into email activity
Best practice is to start with a monitoring policy (“none”) and gradually move to stricter enforcement as confidence grows.
Authentication and Trust
Effective email authentication relies on SPF, DKIM, and DMARC working together. DMARCbis improves this alignment, reduces errors, and enables faster responses to authentication failures.
As a result, organisations benefit from stronger protection against impersonation and more reliable communication.
The Role of Reporting
Reporting is essential for identifying threats and refining policies. DMARCbis enhances reporting capabilities, giving IT teams clearer insights into authentication performance and potential vulnerabilities.
With proper monitoring, organisations can continuously improve their email security posture.
What IT Teams Should Know
Adopting DMARCbis requires planning, but a phased approach can minimise disruption. Key considerations include:
- Assessing current email infrastructure
- Ensuring compatibility with existing systems
- Training teams on new configurations
Ongoing monitoring and regular updates are critical to maintaining effectiveness.
Looking Ahead
Emerging technologies such as AI and zero-trust security models are shaping the future of email protection. DMARCbis is a step towards more adaptive and resilient authentication frameworks.
Organisations that adopt it early will be better positioned to defend against evolving threats and maintain trust in their communications.
