Lock the Front Door: Managed MTA-STS & TLS Reporting
If DMARC is the “ID badge” that proves who you are, MTA-STS is the “armored truck” that ensures your message isn’t hijacked or read while in transit.
In an era where cybercriminals use “Man-in-the-Middle” (MiTM) attacks to intercept sensitive business data, standard email encryption isn’t enough. MTA-STS (Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security) closes the security loopholes that traditional email leaves open.
The Problem: “Opportunistic” Encryption is Not Enough
Most email servers use STARTTLS, which tries to encrypt the connection. However, if a hacker intercepts that connection, they can “downgrade” it to plain text without you or the recipient ever knowing. Your sensitive contracts, passwords, and private data are suddenly visible to anyone watching the wire.
The Solution: Managed MTA-STS
MTA-STS creates a mandatory policy for your domain. It tells the world: “Do not deliver email to us unless the connection is encrypted and the certificate is valid.” If the connection isn’t secure, the email is not sent, protecting your data from being intercepted in the first place.
Why Choose a Managed Service?
Setting up MTA-STS is notoriously difficult for most IT teams. It requires:
- Hosting a specific policy file on a secure, public web server.
- Maintaining a valid SSL certificate for a specific subdomain (
mta-sts.yourdomain.com). - Constantly monitoring TLS Reporting (TLS-RPT) to see why emails are failing.
We handle all of it. We host the policy, manage the certificates, and provide you with a clear dashboard of your encryption health.
Key Benefits of Managed MTA-STS
1. Eliminate Man-in-the-Middle (MiTM) Attacks
By enforcing encryption, you prevent attackers from “downgrading” your email connections. This ensures your business intelligence stays between you and your partners.
2. Full Visibility with TLS Reporting (TLS-RPT)
Standard email gives you no feedback when encryption fails. With our TLS Reporting, you get a clear view of:
- Which servers are sending you encrypted mail.
- Which servers are failing to meet security standards.
- Any attempted attacks or certificate mismatches.
3. Maintenance-Free Compliance
Major providers like Google now prioritize secure connections. Managed MTA-STS keeps you ahead of modern security standards and compliance requirements (like HIPAA or GDPR) that demand “encryption in transit.”
4. Automated Certificate Management
MTA-STS requires a dedicated, always-valid SSL certificate. Our managed service automates the renewal and deployment, so your security never “expires” due to a missed renewal date.
How Managed MTA-STS Works
| Step | What We Do |
| 1. Policy Hosting | We host your MTA-STS policy file on our redundant, secure infrastructure. |
| 2. DNS Configuration | We provide the specific TXT records needed to point to your new security policy. |
| 3. Enforcement | We move your policy from “Testing” to “Enforce,” ensuring all incoming mail is encrypted. |
| 4. Continuous Monitoring | We ingest your TLS-RPT data and turn it into actionable reports. |
Protect Your Data in Transit
Don’t leave your email security to chance. Managed MTA-STS ensures that your “private” conversations actually stay private.
Add MTA-STS to your security stack today.
[Button: Secure My Connections]
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MTA-STS slow down my email?
No. It simply adds a layer of verification before the message is transferred. Most modern mail servers (Gmail, Outlook) already check for these policies instantly.
What is the difference between DMARC and MTA-STS?
DMARC proves who sent the email. MTA-STS ensures the path the email takes is encrypted. Think of DMARC as the signature on a letter and MTA-STS as the wax seal on the envelope.
What happens if a sender doesn’t support encryption?
With a “Reject” policy, that email will not be delivered. This is why our Managed Service starts in “Testing” mode—we analyze your traffic to ensure your legitimate partners are ready before we flip the switch to full enforcement.