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NET-39.1: Domain-Based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)

NET 3 — Low Protect

Mechanisms exist to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Renumbered: Formerly NET-20.4 in SCF 2025.4.

Control Question: Does the organization implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC)?

General (3)
Framework Mapping Values
CIS CSC 8.1 9.5
CIS CSC 8.1 IG2 9.5
CIS CSC 8.1 IG3 9.5
US (1)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.PEP.EM.DSVIE
EMEA (4)
APAC (2)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC Australia ISM June 2026 ISM-1540
APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 15.2.36.C.01 15.2.36.C.02 15.2.36.C.03 15.2.36.C.04 15.2.36.C.05

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

SCR-CMM Level 2 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude a well-defined and standardized process is required. ▪ At this level of maturity, the “requirements-driven” nature of performing the control is focused on a localized and/or regionalized implementation, not uniform and consistent across the organization. ▪ Requirements are narrowly scoped for applicability and are primarily derived from compliance obligations (e.g., laws, regulations and contracts).

Level 3 — Well Defined

Network Security (NET) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with NET domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with NET domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A network security management team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain NET domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of network security operations (e.g., network management solution and log aggregator). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with NET domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce the principles of least privileges and least functionality for boundary protection technologies. ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to implement domain signature verification protections that authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.

Assessment Objectives

  1. NET-39.1_A01 domain signature verification protections are implemented to authenticate incoming email according to the Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) email authentication protocol.

Evidence Requirements

E-NET-12 Email Security Configuration

Documented evidence of email domain reputation protections (DMARC, SPF, ARC) and phishing / spam protection configurations.

Network Security

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Configure DMARC record for email domain (p=none to start)

Small

  • DMARC policy implementation (p=quarantine or p=reject)
  • DMARC report monitoring

Medium

  • DMARC enforcement (p=reject)
  • DMARC aggregate report monitoring

Large

  • Enterprise DMARC enforcement
  • DMARC analytics platform (e.g., Dmarcian, Agari)
  • Automated alerting

Enterprise

  • Enterprise DMARC program
  • p=reject policy
  • DMARC analytics (e.g., Dmarcian, Valimail)
  • Full domain protection
  • BIMI implementation

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