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2026 State of DMARC Report: Education and Training
DMARC protection is still lagging in education and training. The industry is progressing, but fewer than half of the domains are currently protected.
Key Takeaways
- 40% of education and training domains are at DMARC enforcement, just below the 42% global average
- Enforcement grew 15% in 2025, showing strong forward momentum
- 23% of domains are in monitoring mode and 37% lack any real protection
- High-trust interactions like courses, certificates, and payments make this industry a prime target for attackers
The State of DMARC in 2026: Education and training domains are progressing, but half of the industry is still exposed.
If your DMARC record isn’t at enforcement, you’re still exposed.
Across industries, DMARC adoption continues to rise — but enforcement is where protection actually begins.
Education & Training stands out as a segment making meaningful progress. Enforcement rates climbed steadily in 2025, driven in part by increased pressure from mailbox providers and evolving sender requirements.
But progress only tells part of the story: A significant share of domains still sit in monitoring mode or lack valid DMARC entirely. That creates a gap between intent and protection.
And in a space built on trust, that gap matters.
When users rely on your emails for course access, certifications, and career advancement, even a single spoofed message can do real damage. Closing the protection gap is the crucial next step for education and training organizations to protect their customers and their brands.
“Education and training is a high-trust environment. That also means it’s a high-value environment for attackers.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
“Progress isn’t the same as protection. Fewer than half of all education and training domains are still unprotected.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
“If you’re in reporting mode, you’re simply watching the problem – not preventing it.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
“No DMARC record means your domain is widely exposed to spoofing and fraud.”
Al Iverson
Industry Research and Community Engagement Lead at Valimail
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Frequently asked questions
Why are Education and Training domains a target for attacks?
Your organization handles payments, credentials, and account access, making your emails valuable to attackers.
Is DMARC monitoring enough?
No. Without enforcement, spoofed emails can still reach users.