TLS-RPT Overview

Welcome to the TLS-RPT documentation section. Here you'll find comprehensive information about TLS-RPT (TLS Reporting), a protocol that enables domain owners to receive reports about TLS connection issues in their email delivery.

What is TLS-RPT?

TLS-RPT is part of a set of security protocols that enables email servers to enforce Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption and certificate validation when sending emails to other servers that support the protocol. This helps ensure that email communications are secure and protected from interception or tampering.

It works in conjunction with MTA-STS (Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security) to provide a comprehensive email security solution.

Key Features

• TLS Connection Monitoring: Tracks TLS connection attempts and their success/failure rates
• Security Reporting: Provides detailed reports about TLS connection issues
• Policy Compliance: Helps ensure adherence to security policies
• Integration with MTA-STS: Works alongside MTA-STS for comprehensive email security

Benefits

• Improved email security
• Better visibility into TLS connection issues
• Enhanced ability to troubleshoot email delivery problems
• Stronger protection against man-in-the-middle attacks
• Better compliance with security standards

How Does TLS-RPT Work?

TLS-RPT works by allowing email servers to publish a policy that specifies how other servers should connect to them. The policy includes the following information:

• The duration of the policy's validity
• Whether TLS encryption is required or optional
• Whether the server's certificate must match the domain name or be signed by a trusted authority
• How to report any connection failures or policy violations

Policy Publication

The policy is published in two ways:

1. As a DNS TXT record
2. As a file hosted on a web server

The DNS TXT record contains a pointer to the web server where the policy file is located. The policy file is named .well-known/mta-sts.txt and is formatted as a plain text file with key-value pairs.

Connection Process

When an email server wants to send an email to another server that supports TLS-RPT:

1. It first queries the DNS TXT record of the recipient domain to check if there is a policy available
2. If a policy exists, it fetches the policy file from the web server
3. The server follows the instructions in the policy:
   • If TLS encryption and certificate validation are required, the email will only be delivered if a secure and authenticated connection can be established
   • If the policy is optional, the server will try to use TLS encryption and certificate validation, but will fall back to a plain text connection if it fails
   • If the policy is not available or expired, the server will use its default settings for email delivery

Reporting Process

When TLS connection issues occur:

1. The sending server records the failure
2. A report is generated with details about the connection attempt
3. The report is sent to the specified reporting address
4. The receiving domain can analyze the reports to identify and fix issues

Learn more about TLS-RPT Reporting

Why is TLS-RPT Important?

TLS-RPT is important because it enhances the security and privacy of email communication. By enforcing TLS encryption and certificate validation, TLS-RPT prevents attackers from intercepting, modifying, or spoofing emails in transit.

Security Benefits

• Prevents Email Interception: Ensures emails cannot be read by unauthorized parties
• Protects Against Modification: Prevents tampering with email content during transmission
• Reduces Spoofing Risk: Makes it harder for attackers to impersonate legitimate senders
• Enhances Privacy: Ensures sensitive information remains confidential

Business Benefits

• Reduces Security Risks:

  • Minimizes phishing attacks
  • Prevents malware distribution
  • Reduces spam
  • Protects against identity theft

• Compliance Support:

  • Helps meet industry security standards
  • Supports regulatory requirements
  • Demonstrates security best practices
  • Provides audit trails

Operational Benefits

• Improved Visibility: Get detailed reports about TLS connection issues
• Better Troubleshooting: Identify and fix security problems quickly
• Enhanced Monitoring: Track security metrics over time
• Proactive Security: Address issues before they become serious problems

How MTA-STS/TLS Works with DMARC?

MTA-STS/TLS and DMARC complement each other in enhancing the security and privacy of email communication. While they serve different purposes, together they provide a comprehensive security solution for email delivery.

Complementary Security Layers

MTA-STS/TLS Protection

• Protects the connection between email servers
• Prevents interception of email in transit
• Ensures secure transmission of messages
• Validates server certificates

DMARC Protection

• Protects email content and headers
• Prevents email spoofing
• Combats phishing attempts
• Verifies sender authenticity

Combined Benefits

By using both protocols together, organizations can achieve:

1. Enhanced Security:

   • Secure transmission (MTA-STS/TLS)
   • Authenticated senders (DMARC)
   • Protected content (Both)

2. Improved Trust:

   • Verified connections
   • Authenticated messages
   • Reliable delivery

3. Better Monitoring:

   • TLS connection reports
   • DMARC authentication results
   • Comprehensive security metrics

Implementation Considerations

When implementing both protocols:

1. Policy Alignment:

   • Ensure MTA-STS/TLS policies support DMARC requirements
   • Configure appropriate enforcement levels
   • Set up proper reporting mechanisms

2. Monitoring and Maintenance:

   • Review both TLS and DMARC reports
   • Address issues in both protocols
   • Maintain consistent security policies

Related Topics

• TLS-RPT Reporting - Understanding TLS-RPT reporting
• TLS-RPT Domain Settings - Configure TLS-RPT Settings
• TLS-RPT Domain Report - Understanding TLS-RPT report interface