Email security has taken a major leap forward and if your organisation isn’t prepared, you may already be feeling the impact. Google has begun rejecting all emails that do not have a valid DMARC policy, a move designed to protect users from the rapidly growing surge of impersonation attacks, phishing campaigns, and spoofed emails.
This shift is not a small technical update. For many organisations, it represents a fundamental change in how email deliverability and domain reputation are managed.
Below, we break down why Google is enforcing DMARC, what the consequences are if you don’t have it, and how 101 Data Solutions can help you stay secure and ensure your emails reach their destination.
Why Google is enforcing DMARC
Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, and email remains the easiest doorway for criminals.
94% of all malware and phishing attacks start with email (Verizon DBIR).
Brand impersonation attacks have increased by over 60% in the last year (Mimecast).
Google alone blocks 100M+ phishing emails every single day.
To protect users and reduce spoofing, Google now requires domains sending to Gmail accounts to have:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)
The most important of these is DMARC, because it tells receiving servers how to treat emails that fail authentication.
Without DMARC, Google can’t validate whether the email really came from your domain, so they have taken the decision to reject unauthenticated messages completely.
This protects users… but it also means your legitimate emails could be silently blocked.
What happens if your domain doesn’t have DMARC?
If your organisation sends email without a DMARC policy in place:
1. Google may block 100% of your email traffic
This includes:
Customer communications
Supplier and partner emails
Invoices and system notifications
Marketing campaigns
Password resets and automated alerts
If Gmail rejects them, you may not always get an error back, many messages simply disappear.
2. Your domain may be flagged as “high-risk”
Google and other providers (Microsoft, Yahoo, Apple Mail) track domains without authentication.
A domain without DMARC is more likely to be:
Spoofed
Impersonated
Blacklisted
Quarantined
This damages your sender reputation across the entire email ecosystem, not just Gmail.
3. Increased phishing risk for your customers and staff
When you don’t have DMARC, anyone can send emails as you.
Cybercriminals exploit this to impersonate:
Your CEO
Your finance team
Your customer service
Your supply chain
This is exactly how many high-profile breaches start, including recent UK cases like Marks & Spencer and JLR, both triggered by compromised third-party suppliers.
4. Compliance implications for regulated sectors
Industries like legal, finance, government supply chains, healthcare, and research already require:
Proof of secure email
DMARC enforcement
Anti-spoofing measures
Monitoring and reporting
Failure to implement DMARC is increasingly a compliance failure, not just a technical one.
How 101 Data Solutions can help
At 101 Data Solutions, we’re already helping organisations across the UK strengthen email authentication, improve deliverability, and eliminate spoofing risks, using industry-leading tools like Sendmarc,.
Don’t wait until Google blocks your emails
If your organisation doesn’t have a properly configured DMARC policy in place, you are already at risk.
This is a fast-moving requirement and Google has made it clear that non-compliant domains will be rejected.
We can help you fix this quickly and safely.