Beyond DMARC

Stuttgart, Germany - October 10, 2025

How critical infrastructure operators can implement comprehensive email authentication that extends beyond basic DMARC

Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance has become the standard recommendation for email authentication, yet sophisticated adversaries routinely bypass DMARC protections through advanced Business Email Compromise tactics. Critical infrastructure operators face particular vulnerability to these attacks due to their interconnected systems, regulatory obligations, and the potential for cascading failures that extend far beyond individual organizations. The limitations of DMARC-only approaches become apparent when attackers employ lookalike domains, display name spoofing, or compromised legitimate accounts that pass technical authentication checks while delivering devastating social engineering payloads.

DMARC was designed to prevent exact domain spoofing through alignment of the visible From header with authenticated domains via SPF and DKIM. However, modern BEC campaigns exploit the gaps that DMARC cannot address. Attackers register domains that differ by single characters, exploit Unicode homographs that appear identical to legitimate domains, or compromise actual employee accounts that already pass authentication checks. These tactics allow adversaries to send emails that pass DMARC evaluation while still deceiving recipients through visual similarity, authority exploitation, or context manipulation. For critical infrastructure operators, these authentication gaps create unacceptable risks to operational continuity and public safety.

The sovereign data requirements of critical infrastructure add complexity to email authentication implementation. Operators must maintain control over authentication data, ensure that email security measures do not create dependencies on external services that could compromise operational autonomy, and demonstrate compliance with sector-specific regulations that govern information handling. Traditional cloud-based email security solutions may not meet these requirements, particularly for operators managing classified information or maintaining air-gapped operational environments. Sovereign email authentication requires solutions that provide advanced protection while preserving operational independence and data sovereignty.

AWM AwareX addresses the human factors that technical authentication cannot solve through advanced security awareness training and behavioral analytics. The platform provides continuous phishing simulations that reflect sophisticated tactics, including lookalike domain attacks and authority-based social engineering that bypass technical controls. AWM AwareX identifies users who may be particularly susceptible to visual spoofing or authority exploitation, enabling targeted training that addresses specific vulnerability patterns. The platform ensures that training evolves alongside emerging attack methodologies, maintaining effectiveness against continuously refined adversary tactics.

CypSec complements technical authentication measures with comprehensive governance frameworks that integrate email security into broader operational risk management. The company's expertise in critical infrastructure protection enables implementation of email authentication that aligns with sector-specific requirements for operational continuity, incident response, and regulatory compliance. CypSec's policy-as-code enforcement ensures that email security measures are implemented consistently across complex infrastructure environments while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to evolving threat landscapes and regulatory requirements.

Advanced email authentication for critical infrastructure requires layered approaches that extend beyond basic DMARC implementation. This includes comprehensive domain monitoring to identify lookalike registrations, implementation of Brand Indicators for Message Identification to provide visual authentication indicators, and deployment of advanced threat protection systems that analyze email content and context beyond simple authentication checks. Organizations must also implement robust certificate management procedures that ensure the integrity of digital signatures while maintaining availability during certificate rotation periods.

"Technical authentication alone cannot prevent sophisticated BEC attacks. Organizations need integrated approaches that combine advanced technical controls with comprehensive human risk management," said Frederick Roth, Chief Information Security Officer at CypSec.

The energy sector provides clear examples of authentication failures that bypass DMARC protections. Attackers targeting utility operators have successfully used lookalike domains that substitute visually similar characters, such as replacing the letter 'l' with the numeral '1' or exploiting Unicode characters that appear identical to ASCII equivalents. These domains pass DMARC evaluation because they are legitimately registered and properly authenticated, yet they successfully deceive recipients through visual similarity. The consequences of such authentication bypasses extend beyond financial losses to include potential disruptions to power generation, transmission systems, and emergency response capabilities.

Implementation of comprehensive email authentication requires systematic assessment of current infrastructure capabilities and identification of gaps that sophisticated adversaries could exploit. Organizations must evaluate their domain portfolios to identify potential lookalike registrations, assess their ability to detect and respond to authentication bypass attempts, and ensure that incident response procedures address email-based attacks that pass technical authentication checks. This assessment should include evaluation of user training programs, security monitoring capabilities, and coordination procedures with external stakeholders who may be targeted through lookalike domains.

The financial services sector demonstrates the evolution of BEC tactics that exploit authentication limitations. Modern attacks increasingly target payment authorization workflows rather than attempting to steal credentials or deliver malware. These attacks use legitimately authenticated emails that request changes to payment procedures, vendor information, or authorization protocols. The emails pass technical authentication checks because they originate from compromised legitimate accounts or carefully crafted lookalike domains, yet they achieve adversary objectives through social engineering that exploits trust relationships and procedural weaknesses.

Advanced monitoring capabilities enable detection of authentication bypass attempts through analysis of email patterns, domain registration activities, and user behavior anomalies. Organizations must implement comprehensive logging that captures not only authentication results but also contextual information about email content, sender behavior, and recipient actions. This data enables identification of sophisticated attacks that may pass initial authentication checks but exhibit patterns that indicate malicious intent. Machine learning algorithms can analyze this data to identify subtle indicators of authentication bypass attempts that may not be apparent through traditional security monitoring.

"Critical infrastructure operators need email authentication that addresses both technical and human vulnerabilities. This requires solutions designed specifically for high-risk operational environments," said Fabian Weikert, Chief Executive Officer at AWM AwareX.

The integration of advanced email authentication with existing security infrastructure requires careful coordination to ensure operational effectiveness while maintaining system availability. Email security measures must integrate with identity management systems, security information and event management platforms, and incident response procedures. This integration enables coordinated responses to sophisticated attacks that may involve multiple vectors or target multiple systems simultaneously. Organizations must also ensure that enhanced authentication measures do not create performance bottlenecks or availability issues that could impact operational continuity.

Regulatory compliance for critical infrastructure email security extends beyond basic data protection requirements to encompass sector-specific obligations for operational resilience and incident reporting. Operators must demonstrate that their email security measures meet regulatory standards while maintaining the ability to respond effectively to sophisticated attacks. This includes implementation of audit trails that document authentication decisions, establishment of procedures for reporting authentication bypass attempts, and maintenance of evidence that supports regulatory compliance demonstrations.

The future of email authentication for critical infrastructure will require continuous evolution to address emerging threats and changing operational requirements. As adversaries develop new techniques for bypassing technical controls, organizations must enhance their authentication capabilities while maintaining operational effectiveness. This includes adoption of emerging standards such as BIMI and MTA-STS, implementation of advanced threat intelligence integration, and development of automated response capabilities that can react rapidly to sophisticated authentication bypass attempts.

Looking forward, the convergence of advanced technical authentication with comprehensive human risk management will define effective email security for critical infrastructure. Organizations that implement sovereign email authentication solutions that address both technical and human factors will maintain significant advantages in protecting against sophisticated BEC attacks while preserving operational autonomy and regulatory compliance. The combination of AWM AwareX's human-centric security training with CypSec's technical implementation expertise provides a foundation for achieving this comprehensive protection while navigating the complex requirements of critical infrastructure operations.

About AWM AwareX: AWM AwareX provides advanced security awareness platforms with phishing simulations, training modules, and behavioral analytics designed to build resilient security cultures. The company's solutions address sophisticated social engineering tactics that bypass technical controls, ensuring comprehensive human risk management for critical infrastructure operators. For more information, visit awm-awarex.de.

About CypSec: CypSec delivers enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions with specialized expertise in critical infrastructure protection, sovereign data handling, and regulatory compliance. The company helps organizations implement comprehensive email authentication that extends beyond basic technical controls to address sophisticated human-targeted attacks. For more information, visit cypsec.de.

Media Contact: Daria Fediay, Chief Executive Officer at CypSec - daria.fediay@cypsec.de.