How can you win over execs to invest in DMARC and email security?

Quick Takeaways

• Translate DMARC into revenue protection and brand trust.
• Show real‑world breach costs to highlight ROI.
• Use data‑driven reports to quantify email security gaps.
• Tailor your pitch to each executive’s priorities (CFO, CIO, CEO).
• Leverage Palisade’s free domain checker to demonstrate current exposure 👉 https://www.palisade.email/tools/email-security-score

Getting budget for an email security stack can feel like selling ice to penguins. Executives often think the current setup is “good enough” until a breach hits. Waiting for a breach before implementing Domain‑based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) is like waiting for a car crash before buying insurance – it just doesn’t work.

You’ve probably seen phishing attempts slip through, watched competitors scramble after domain‑spoofing scandals, and know it’s only a matter of time before someone exploits that gap. The good news? With the right approach, gaining buy‑in doesn’t have to feel like pushing a boulder uphill.

Building a business case that resonates

Focus on real numbers, tangible risks, and clear business opportunities. Data is your friend.

Remember the Maersk incident where a single compromised email cost $300 million? Or the average data‑breach cost of $4.88 million in 2024? Those figures are wake‑up calls that make executives sit up and listen.

Your current email security might catch 99 % of threats, but with 100 000 monthly emails that 1 % gap equals 1 000 potential security holes – each an opportunity for impersonation, payment redirection, or brand damage.

The hidden costs you’re already paying

• Security team spends hours manually investigating suspicious emails.
• IT help desk fields tickets about legitimate messages landing in spam.
• Marketing suffers from poor deliverability, missing revenue opportunities.

Major players like Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo now require DMARC from vendors. It’s no longer just a security measure; it’s a competitive differentiator.

Connecting DMARC to business goals

• Ensure sales emails reach prospects, boosting conversion.
• Secure payment processes and prevent invoice fraud.
• Maintain customer trust by guaranteeing authentic communications.
• Protect brand reputation before a scandal erupts.
• Strengthen partner relationships by demonstrating robust email authentication.

Numbers that matter: ROI breakdown

The cost of doing nothing

• Average Business Email Compromise (BEC) cost: $129 000.
• Brand reputation damage: 66 % of customers would stop doing business after a breach.
• Lost revenue from poor deliverability: 15‑25 % of marketing emails never reach the inbox.
• IT team time spent on email issues: 2‑3 hours per day.

Implementation investment

• Initial setup & monitoring: 2‑3 months.
• Staff training: 10‑15 hours total.
• Ongoing maintenance: 2‑4 hours monthly.
• Solution costs: a fraction of existing security stack spend.

“Outcomes show that implementing DMARC is one of the highest ROI solutions available. Just make sure to enforce it and automate the process.” – Alex Garcia‑Tobar, CEO, Palisade

Payoff timeline

• Month 1: Full visibility into email sources, early detection of unauthorized senders.
• Month 3: 90‑100 % of legitimate email authenticated, fewer help‑desk tickets, improved deliverability.
• Month 6: Full enforcement, elimination of spoofing attempts, measurable boost in email marketing ROI.

Crafting your pitch

Start with a story, not just stats. Example: “Last month a competitor’s domain was spoofed to send fake invoices, causing a 5 % stock dip.” Then tailor the message:

• CFO: Emphasize cost avoidance, ROI, and fraud protection.
• CIO/CISO: Highlight integration, technical resources, and compliance benefits.
• CEO: Connect DMARC to growth, competitive advantage, and brand protection.

Structure your presentation:

1. The hook (2 min): Story, compelling statistic, clear opportunity.
2. Current state (3 min): Show gaps, threat data, specific vulnerabilities.
3. The solution (5 min): Explain DMARC in business terms, timeline, quick wins.
4. ROI breakdown (5 min): Cost‑benefit analysis, payback period, risk reduction.
5. Next steps (2 min): Immediate actions, resources, timeline.

Consider a “quick start” pilot to get momentum without a full budget commitment.

Getting started with Palisade

Before the meeting, run Palisade’s free domain health check to see your current authentication status across SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Use the results to quantify risk and showcase immediate improvement opportunities.

When budget is tight, Palisade Monitor provides full visibility into who’s sending on your behalf – free, no credit card required.

Try Monitor Free

FAQs

What is DMARC and why does it matter for my business?

DMARC (Domain‑based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is an email‑authentication protocol that helps prevent attackers from spoofing your domain. It protects revenue, brand trust, and reduces fraud risk.

How can I calculate the ROI of a DMARC implementation?

Start by estimating costs of BEC attacks, lost deliverability, and IT time spent on email issues. Then compare against the modest implementation and maintenance costs of a DMARC solution like Palisade.

Do I need to change my existing email infrastructure to adopt DMARC?

No. DMARC works with your current SPF and DKIM records. Palisade can guide you through a phased rollout that aligns with your existing stack.

What’s the difference between DMARC monitoring and enforcement?

Monitoring (p=none) lets you gather data without affecting delivery. Enforcement (p=quarantine or reject) actively blocks unauthenticated emails, providing stronger protection.

How long does it take to move from DMARC monitoring to full enforcement?

Most organizations see a transition within 3‑6 months, depending on the complexity of their email ecosystem and the speed of stakeholder alignment.

Ready to protect your brand and boost email performance? 👉 Check your domain’s email security score now

Read more about email security best practices on our email security best practices guide.