Your business emails might be headed to spam, and you won’t even know it.
As of May 5, 2025, Microsoft Outlook began enforcing strict new email authentication requirements for senders pushing out more than 5,000 emails daily. While aimed at large-volume senders, the writing is on the wall: every business needs to pay attention.
Why? Because these changes aren’t just about better security. They directly affect deliverability, brand trust, and your ability to communicate with your clients.
Here’s What Microsoft Now Requires:
To keep your emails from being flagged or junked, your domain must comply with three email security protocols:
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SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Verifies that your domain authorizes the servers sending your emails.
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DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Applies a cryptographic signature to your message, proving it hasn’t been tampered with.
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DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): Tells receiving servers how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks—whether to monitor, quarantine, or reject them.
Microsoft now requires a minimum DMARC policy of “p=none”, but for real protection and better inbox placement, a “p=reject” policy is what your business should strive for.
Why This Matters for Austin, TX Business Owners
Whether you send 500 or 50,000 emails a day, your domain’s reputation impacts whether your emails reach your audience. In a city like Austin, TX, where businesses are growing fast and inboxes are full, getting flagged as spam could cost you more than just visibility—it could cost you clients.
At CTTS, we help Austin-based organizations implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC the right way. We use tools like OnDMARC to automate monitoring, simplify compliance, and give you the peace of mind that your communication isn’t falling through the cracks.
Microsoft’s Enforcement Timeline
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Now: Review and correct your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.
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Post-May 5, 2025: Non-compliant emails are being routed to junk folders.
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Coming Soon: Microsoft will start rejecting emails that don’t meet the standard.
What You Can Do Today
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Don’t wait for clients to tell you your emails didn’t land.
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Stop guessing about DNS records and email policies.
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Let our Microsoft 365 Experts handle this for you—quickly, securely, and with zero disruption to your business.
Call CTTS at (512) 388-5559 or Schedule Your Free Email Assessment before your next email ends up in junk.
FAQs About Email Security
Q1: Do I need to comply if I don’t send over 5,000 emails a day?
Yes. While Microsoft is targeting high-volume senders first, these protocols are rapidly becoming industry standards. It’s best to stay ahead of the curve to maintain deliverability and brand reputation.
Q2: What is DMARC, and why is “p=reject” better than “p=none”?
DMARC tells email servers what to do with messages that fail authentication. “p=none” just monitors, while “p=reject” actively blocks spoofed emails—protecting your domain and customers.
Q3: How do I know if my domain is compliant with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?
We can run a free domain audit for you and provide a step-by-step plan. Tools like OnDMARC help ensure your email domain stays protected and optimized.
Contact CTTS today for IT support and managed services in Austin, TX. Let us handle your IT so you can focus on growing your business. Visit CTTSonline.com or call us at (512) 388-5559 to get started!