Summary
Government agencies often implement stringent security measures to protect their networks from email-based threats, which frequently includes blocking or stripping HTML content from emails. This practice is due to concerns about phishing attacks, malware distribution, and other security vulnerabilities associated with HTML emails. While there is no universal policy, the approach varies by agency, department, and even specific office. Authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are crucial for improving deliverability. Offering a plain text version of emails or securing explicit approval from the agency's IT department can also help ensure successful delivery.
Key findings
- HTML Blocking: Government agencies commonly block or strip HTML from emails as a security precaution.
- Varied Policies: Email policies and practices vary widely across different government entities.
- Security Focus: The primary driver for blocking HTML is to mitigate security risks like phishing and malware.
- Authentication Importance: Proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) significantly improves deliverability rates.
- .mil Specificity: '.mil' domains and similar secure networks often have particularly stringent security protocols.
Key considerations
- Email Authentication: Ensure robust email authentication using SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
- Plain Text Option: Offer a plain text version of your emails to ensure delivery even if HTML is blocked.
- Sender Reputation: Maintain a good sender reputation to minimize the chances of being flagged as spam.
- Content Optimization: Optimize email content to avoid triggering spam filters and security systems.
- Agency Approval: If possible, seek approval from the government agency's IT department before sending HTML emails.
What email marketers say
11 marketer opinions
Government agencies often employ stricter security measures that may include blocking HTML emails, stripping out images, or disabling links. There is no blanket policy, and practices can vary widely by agency, department, and even specific user settings. Agencies often scrutinize HTML content to block potential threats, impacting marketing campaigns. Obtaining explicit approval from the agency may be required to send HTML emails successfully. Adhering to email deliverability best practices, authenticating emails (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and maintaining a clean sending reputation are crucial for ensuring deliverability to government domains.
Key opinions
- HTML Blocking: Government agencies commonly block or strip HTML from emails as a security precaution against phishing attacks and malware.
- Varied Policies: Email policies vary significantly across different government agencies, departments, and even individual offices.
- Approval Required: Some government entities require explicit approval before allowing HTML emails to be delivered, especially those containing links.
- Stringent Security: Government agencies implement stringent email security protocols to protect their networks from potential threats.
- Deliverability Challenges: Deliverability to government domains can be challenging due to strict spam filters, image blocking, and link validation processes.
Key considerations
- Authentication: Ensure robust email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) are in place to improve deliverability.
- Sender Reputation: Maintain a clean sending reputation and avoid spam triggers to increase the likelihood of emails reaching government inboxes.
- Content Optimization: Optimize email content to minimize the risk of being flagged as spam. Consider using plain text emails or offering a plain text version alongside HTML.
- Engagement Practices: Monitor and optimize engagement practices to maintain a positive sender reputation and avoid being marked as spam.
- Compliance: Adhere to all relevant email marketing regulations and best practices when sending to government agencies.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Campaign Monitor advises that adhering to email deliverability best practices is essential when sending to government agencies. Focus on authenticating your emails, maintaining a clean sending reputation, and avoiding spam triggers. Government entities often have stricter spam filters that can flag HTML emails containing certain content or formatting.
12 Sep 2021 - Campaign Monitor
Marketer view
Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that when emailing government entities, approval is needed to send HTML emails. If there is a contractual obligation and IT provides approval you can deliver an HTML email, with whatever links. It could take months to get approval and sometimes they will just say sorry, you can't email us.
15 Sep 2022 - Email Geeks
What the experts say
3 expert opinions
Government agencies, especially those with secure networks like '.mil', often implement stringent security measures that include blocking or stripping HTML from emails to mitigate security threats such as malicious scripts and content. Employing email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for ensuring deliverability, and in some cases, using plain text emails or providing a plain text alternative is recommended to bypass sophisticated filtering systems.
Key opinions
- HTML Blocking: Government agencies block or strip HTML emails as a security measure.
- Security Threats: This is done to prevent malicious scripts and content from reaching employees.
- .mil Specificity: .mil domains and similar secure networks have heightened security protocols.
- Sophisticated Filtering: Government entities utilize advanced email filtering systems that may flag HTML emails as potential threats.
Key considerations
- Email Authentication: Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured to enhance deliverability.
- Plain Text Alternative: Consider providing a plain text version of your emails to ensure messages get through filtering systems.
- Sender Reputation: Maintain a good sender reputation to improve email delivery rates.
Expert view
Expert from Spamresource.com responds that because government agencies are vigilant about security threats, agencies will often strip HTML from emails. This is often to prevent malicious scripts and content from reaching their employees. Ensuring email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is configured correctly helps ensure deliverability.
18 Mar 2023 - Spamresource.com
Expert view
Expert from Wordtothewise.com explains that government entities often have sophisticated email filtering systems that may flag HTML emails as potential threats. It is recommended to use plain text emails for important communications or offer a plain text version alongside the HTML version to ensure messages get through. Authentication and a good sender reputation will help as well.
16 Jan 2025 - Wordtothewise.com
What the documentation says
4 technical articles
Security documentation from NIST, US-CERT, and SANS Institute highlights the importance of mitigating risks associated with HTML content in emails, often recommending blocking HTML emails as a best practice. Government agencies implement strict filtering policies and security measures to reduce the risk of malware, phishing attacks, and other email-based threats. While DKIM improves overall email security and authentication, HTML blocking is a direct preventative measure.
Key findings
- Risk Mitigation: HTML content in emails presents significant security risks.
- Blocking Recommendation: Disabling or blocking HTML emails is recommended as a key security practice.
- Security Measures: Government agencies implement strict filtering policies and security measures against email-based threats.
- DKIM Authentication: DKIM improves email security but does not directly address HTML blocking.
Key considerations
- Security Strategy: Incorporate HTML blocking into overall cybersecurity strategy.
- Advanced Detection: Implement advanced threat detection systems to identify and mitigate email-based threats.
- Email Client Configuration: Configure email clients and servers to prevent HTML rendering, reducing potential attack vectors.
- Compliance: Refer to NIST SP 800-45 Version 2 and other guidelines for specific implementation details
Technical article
Documentation from DKIM explains DKIM's role in email authentication and security. Government agencies increasingly rely on DKIM to verify the authenticity of incoming emails. While DKIM doesn't directly address HTML blocking, it improves overall email security and reduces the likelihood of legitimate emails being flagged as spam or malicious.
17 Apr 2023 - DKIM.org
Technical article
Documentation from US-CERT shares strategies for mitigating email-based threats, including those associated with HTML emails. Government agencies are advised to implement security measures such as blocking HTML content, disabling links, and employing advanced threat detection systems. Provides insight into common email attack vectors and preventative measures.
3 Nov 2022 - United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team
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