By Craig Spiezle

Spam and phishing continue to undermine the integrity of email. Over the past 18 months, authenticated email has evolved significantly from the critical-concepts stage to actual implementation. IP and signature-based authentication solutions are designed to introduce new levels of accountability into the email system and will ultimately help ensure the ongoing reliability and deliverability of email for legitimate senders for years to come.

Today, industry leaders such as MSN Hotmail and more than 1.2 million domains have realized the promise of IP-based solutions by publishing Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records and completing the Sender ID check. Early implementation benefits include improved spam detection, enhanced sender reputation scoring, and a reduction in false-positive incidents among Sender ID-compliant email senders.

Given the significant benefits and long-term value represented in the implementation of authentication solutions, an industry coalition of more than three dozen companies, including Microsoft and TRUSTe, have organized the 2005 Email Authentication Implementation Summit. Held on July 12, 2005, in New York City, this event sets the stage at the broadest industry level to ensure the integrity and reputation of legitimate email.

Moderated by Esther Dyson, editor for Release 1.0 at CNET Networks, this daylong program includes a lineup of thought leaders. In addition to the general summit, the event will include two parallel breakout sessions designed for IT pros and email marketing executives. The sessions will address the equally critical but different needs of the professionals who play a role in moving authentication forward within their organizations. To join the fight against spam and phishing and to preserve the email channel for years to come, visit www.emailauthentication.org/summit2005.

Craig Spiezle is a director in the safety technology & strategy group at Microsoft.

 

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