As cybersecurity threats evolve, many tools for MSPs and MSSPs focus primarily on inbound email protection. They help block spam, phishing, and malware before they reach clients’ inboxes. While these measures are critical, many of them do not address outbound email security. DMARC (domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance) offers a solution.
DMARC adds a layer of cybersecurity to protect your clients’ domains against spoofing and fraudulent emails. With stricter enforcement policies from major platforms like Google, DMARC is no longer optional. For MSPs, it’s a fundamental component of email security. It’s also an opportunity to enhance client value while generating new revenue streams.
DMARC: Outbound Email Security
DMARC enforcement is not a standalone tool; it should be a part of every MSP’s cybersecurity stack and strategy. As cybercriminals adopt more sophisticated tactics, email authentication is essential to maintaining trust and reducing risk to your clients.
Here are three reasons why MSPs should prioritize DMARC:
No. 1 Every Spoofed Phishing Email Costs You Money
A single phishing email can cost you as an MSP. On average, a single phishing email will cost $31.32 and take your team an average of 27.5 minutes to resolve. A locked-down DMARC policy can help protect against this by blocking domain spoofers. That’s real savings and real money that’s not spent dealing with those phishing emails.
No. 2 Preserve Email Deliverability
Without proper DMARC alignment, your clients’ emails risk being marked as spam or rejected altogether. This can lead to missed invoices and lost client connections. If they don’t get paid, you don’t get paid. By ensuring your clients’ emails reach their intended recipients, DMARC not only protects revenue streams but also strengthens your clients’ trust in your MSP’s expertise.
No. 3 Stay Ahead of Compliance
These days, compliance requirements are more stringent. For example, in March 2025, the payment card industry will require automated processes to protect against phishing. This includes deploying anti-phishing mechanisms — such as DMARC, SPF, and DKIM — to safeguard against email spoofing and phishing threats.
Source: PCI Security Standards Council’s PCI DSS Requirements and Testing Procedures, Version 4.0.1, June 2024
By advancing from a p=none policy to enforcement (p=quarantine or p=reject), organizations align with these evolving regulatory expectations. In addition, they enhance their defense against unauthorized use of their domains, thereby safeguarding their reputations.
The Revenue Potential of DMARC
DMARC isn’t just a tool for reducing risk; it’s also a business opportunity. For MSPs, it expands service portfolios with new logos and adds revenue streams to your existing clients.
- Implementation Fees: MSPs can and should charge for DMARC. Enforcing DMARC isn’t an overnight process, and your time is valuable and expensive. For example, one MSP initially absorbed the setup costs but later introduced a $1,000 implementation fee to get their clients to a “reject” policy. It’s a win-win: clients get improved spoofing security, and MSPs are compensated for the tech time spent locking down their DMARC policy.
Taylor Tabusa
- Recurring Revenue: Ongoing DMARC monitoring software ensures that policies remain effective. This gives MSPs a reliable subscription-based income stream while maintaining their clients’ security posture.
Beyond revenue, DMARC positions MSPs as indispensable partners in securing their clients’ email infrastructure and maintaining compliance.
MSPs as the Trusted Email Security Partner
In 2025, DMARC is no longer just nice to have. It’s a critical layer in your clients’ cybersecurity defenses. By adopting DMARC monitoring software, MSPs can streamline the enforcement process, reduce technician time spent on manual tasks, and protect clients’ email domains from spoofing and phishing attacks.
DMARC safeguards your clients’ reputations, improves email deliverability and positions your MSP as a trusted advisor. With the right tools in place, you can provide efficient, cost-effective email security services that add measurable value.
For MSPs, DMARC is more than just compliance. It’s a scalable opportunity to boost recurring revenue while keeping technician costs low. By embracing DMARC now, you futureproof your clients’ email security and strengthen your business for years to come.
Taylor Tabusa is an email enthusiast and co-founder of Palisade, automating DMARC management and enforcement for MSPs and MSSPs.
Featured image: DALL-E
