Workflows
Operational sequences derived from Empire Core objectives across Authentication and DNS.
- Prepare a sending domainInventory senders and publish baseline authentication.
- Configure SPFPublish and validate an SPF policy for authorized senders.
- Configure DKIMEnable DKIM signing and publish selectors.
- Deploy DMARC safelyPublish DMARC at monitoring policy and validate reporting.
- Move DMARC from none to quarantine or rejectIncrease DMARC enforcement using reports and pct controls.
- Diagnose authentication failuresTrace SPF/DKIM/DMARC failures to a remediable cause.
- Configure BIMIPublish BIMI records and validate logo/certificate requirements.
- Configure MTA-STS and TLS-RPTPublish MTA-STS policy and TLS reporting.
- Audit multi-domain authenticationReview authentication across a domain portfolio.
- Publish MX and mail DNSPublish MX and supporting address records for inbound mail.
- Verify DNS for a sending domainVerify zone authority, MX/address records, and authentication-related TXT publications.
- Roll DNS changes with TTL strategyLower TTL, dual-publish, cut over, then raise TTL again.
- Diagnose mail DNS failuresSeparate authoritative errors, cache staleness, and delegation problems.
- Monitor sender reputationInstrument FBLs, bounce classes, and provider reputation dashboards with alert thresholds.
- Recover from reputation damageStop harmful traffic, remediate lists, and rebuild volume after IP or domain damage.
- Choose dedicated vs shared IPDecide IP allocation based on volume, isolation needs, and operational readiness.
- Reduce complaint and bounce ratesImprove consent, suppression, and list hygiene to bring rates within provider expectations.
- Diagnose spam trap exposureIdentify trap-prone cohorts and acquisition paths after suspected trap hits.
- Warm up a new domainAuthenticate a new domain, start with engaged cohorts, and ramp daily volume deliberately.
- Warm up a dedicated IPMigrate traffic gradually onto a new dedicated IP with its own ramp plan.
- Scale an existing senderGrow a warm domain/IP with natural step sizes tied to recent successful history.
- Resume sending after inactivityRe-enter sending after a quiet period with a reduced volume and re-warmup mindset.
- Increase seasonal volume safelyPlan pre-season ramp so peak events look like natural growth, not a cold spike.