Episode #712 of the MSPi PrimeCast
Email remains the number-one attack vector in cybersecurity. Spoofing, phishing, and email fraud continue to slip past basic defenses, leaving MSPs and their clients exposed. On a recent MSPi Primecast episode, Michael Chester explored how moving from spoofing challenges to DMARC adoption is critical for today’s providers. His perspective highlights not just why, but how MSPs can put practical safeguards in place.
Here are six key actions MSPs can take:
1. Recognize Email Spoofing’s Business Impact
Spoofed domains aren’t just a nuisance—they erode customer trust, disrupt workflows, and can cause direct financial losses. MSPs must educate clients that spoofing is more than a technical issue; it’s a reputational and business continuity threat.
MSP Action: Build educational content (newsletters, lunch-and-learns) showing clients how spoofing damages their brand. Awareness can drive urgency to invest in protections.
2. Make SPF and DKIM Mandatory
Before even tackling DMARC, businesses must properly implement SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). These serve as the technical backbone that validates sending servers and authenticates email integrity.
MSP Action: Standardize SPF/DKIM configuration during onboarding. Include regular checks in client QBRs to catch misconfigurations early.
3. Prioritize DMARC Implementation
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) adds enforcement, ensuring spoofed messages are quarantined or rejected rather than simply flagged. Chester emphasized that adoption is still low, giving MSPs a chance to lead.
MSP Action: Create a step-by-step DMARC rollout package for clients—start with monitoring mode, then enforce policies after analyzing reports.
4. Leverage Reporting for Continuous Improvement
DMARC reports reveal which servers are sending on behalf of a domain and whether they pass SPF/DKIM checks. This data is often underutilized but can uncover shadow IT, unauthorized third-party senders, or configuration drift.
MSP Action: Offer DMARC reporting dashboards as an add-on service. Present findings in business terms during client reviews.
5. Build Vendor and Partner Alignment
Chester highlighted the need for vendors, MSPs, and clients to collaborate on adoption. Email authentication only works if every partner in the supply chain complies.
MSP Action: When setting up integrations with CRMs, marketing tools, or helpdesk systems, proactively align with vendors on email authentication standards.
6. Turn Security Into a Differentiator
MSPs that can guarantee email authenticity and protect against spoofing immediately stand out in the marketplace. By making email security part of your brand promise, you transform a technical feature into a sales advantage.
MSP Action: Market your DMARC and anti-spoofing expertise as part of a “trusted communications” package. Use case studies to show how this prevented client losses.
From spoofing to DMARC, the journey requires both technical expertise and client education. Michael Chester’s insights underscore that MSPs are uniquely positioned to guide this shift. By embedding authentication, reporting, and collaboration into your services, you not only reduce risk but also strengthen client trust—a currency that is priceless in today’s MSP ecosystem.
Catch the full conversation on MSPi PrimeCast Episode #712 and connect with Michael at https://www.valimail.com/
