DMARC reporting’s three-step checklist

DMARC reporting without automation is like watching security cameras without recording, says Brad Slavin, General Manager of DuoCircle. You see the threats in real time but you can’t go back and investigate. DMARC Report captures and classifies every aggregate and forensic report so your security team has a complete audit trail.

DMARC (RFC 7489) ties SPF and DKIM together by requiring alignment between the envelope sender and the visible From header. According to Google’s February 2024 bulk sender requirements, a DMARC policy of at least p=none is now mandatory for any domain sending 5,000+ messages per day to Gmail users.

**DMARC reports maximize the efficiency of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC by helping you with invaluable and actionable insights. Many case studies have also shown that organizations implementing DMARC with active reporting experienced an 80-90% reduction in successful phishing attacks over time. The reporting enabled **quick identification and blocking of fraudulent email sources. Continuous DMARC monitoring is what turns those periodic reports into ongoing protection.

This blog explains the DMARC reporting process , a three-step checklist, for those who are about to start leveraging the benefits of forensic and aggregate reports**.

DMARC reporting steps

1. Access

To start receiving DMARC reports, you, as the domain owner, have to generate and publish a DMARC record with one of the policies to which you want to subject all unauthorized emails. The DMARC record has to be published in your domain’s **DNS so that recipients’ servers can retrieve them to see which DMARC policy you have applied. After publishing, check your DMARC record to confirm it resolves correctly.

It’s the same **DMARC record where you have to mention the email addresses where you wish to receive the reports._ Please note that it isn’t mandatory to receive these reports on the email addresses within the domain for which you have created and published the DMARC record_. This process is done through external domain verification.

2. Differentiate

DMARC reports are divided into two categories: Aggregate (RUA) Reports and Forensic (RUF) Reports. It’s important for new users to grasp the distinction between the two so that you interpret the data and leverage it properly to ward off the unauthorized use of your domain for sending emails.

Aggregate (RUA) reports

These reports offer a broad overview of email authentication data gathered from various sources. They provide a summary of email traffic, showing the number of emails sent, the domains involved, and the authentication status of each email. Typically delivered daily or weekly, Aggregate Reports are instrumental in tracking email authentication trends and pinpointing potential issues.

Forensic (RUF) reports

Forensic Reports deliver in-depth details about individual emails that fail DMARC authentication. They include information such as email headers, content, and authentication results. These reports are usually sent in real-time or near real-time and are crucial for incident investigation and response.

3. Analyze

Once you receive the reports, you need to evaluate them;

Evaluating aggregate reports

Since DMARC relies on SPF and DKIM, check if the domain used in the email’s ‘From’ header matches the sender’s domain, ensuring the email’s legitimacy. Monitoring how recipient servers handle emails that fail DMARC authentication helps confirm whether your **DMARC policy is being enforced as intended.

Evaluating forensic reports

To assess potential email security issues, start by checking for failed SPF or DKIM results, which may signal spoofing, interception, or configuration problems. Review email headers to trace the source IP addresses and routing paths, noting any changes during transit. Inspect attachments and embedded links for suspicious or harmful content. Additionally, identify the IP addresses or servers sending emails on behalf of your domain and watch for any unauthorized or unusual sources, especially from regions where your business does not operate.

DMARCReport is your ally

Our DMARC toolset covers checking, generating, and analyzing records in one place. We at DMARCReport help brands prevent email impersonation and maintain brand trust and reputation . Get in touch with us today to forget your DMARC reporting woes.