TLS-RPT Management for Enterprises with Multi-Domain Operations
TLS-RPT helps you understand why inbound email delivery fails due to TLS issues. It provides aggregated reports from sending servers, helping you quickly pinpoint recurring issues like TLS negotiation problems, MTA-STS-related failures, and DNS errors.
In large organizations, inbound email routing changes often. Without TLS-RPT, TLS failures can look like intermittent delivery problems, and it can take longer to find the cause.
Sendmarc helps you publish TLS-RPT across your domains and monitor reports in one place, so you can catch misconfigurations early and keep inbound delivery stable.
What TLS-RPT Helps You Achieve
When TLS-RPT is set up correctly, it can help you:
Identify recurring TLS failures across domains
Reduce time spent troubleshooting inbound delivery issues
Understanding
TLS-RPT
TLS-RPT is a reporting standard. It lets a receiving domain request reports from sending servers about TLS-related delivery failures they encountered when delivering email to your domain.
TLS-RPT is commonly paired with MTA-STS:
MTA-STS
Publishes your delivery requirements for inbound email
TLS-RPT
Provides visibility when senders can't meet those requirements
How TLS-RPT Works in Three Steps
Your domain publishes a TLS-RPT DNS record with a reporting destination.
Sending servers attempt delivery over TLS and follow your MTA-STS policy if you publish one.
Sending servers send aggregated TLS reports to the destination you specified.
TLS-RPT DNS Record Basics
TLS-RPT is published as a DNS TXT record at _smtp._tls.<domain>.
A typical TLS-RPT record includes:
v=TLSRPTv1rua= With one or more reporting destinationsTLS-RPT DNS Record Example:
Host: _smtp._tls.yourdomain.com
Type: TXT
Value: v=TLSRPTv1; rua=mailto:[email protected]
Sendmarc helps you implement TLS-RPT across your domains and maintain it as inbound infrastructure changes, so visibility stays consistent, and delivery issues don’t go unnoticed.
Why TLS-RPT Projects Stall
Common reasons TLS-RPT rollouts slow down include:
Reports exist, but nobody owns them: Reports go to a mailbox, but there’s no process to review and act on them.
Coverage is inconsistent across domains: TLS-RPT is enabled on some domains but missing on others, which leaves gaps in visibility.
Strengthen Trust Signals Across Your Email Environment
Email-based attacks tend to fall into a few repeatable patterns. Attackers spoof your brand, register lookalike domains, or take over real accounts to send convincing messages.
Sendmarc helps teams reduce exposure by bringing authentication protocols, email transport security controls, and identity threat indicators together on one platform.
Keep sending permissions current as new tools and third parties are introduced.
Ensure legitimate email is signed consistently, even as systems and configurations change.
Apply a policy to emails that fail authentication and use reporting to see which sources are sending on your behalf.
MTA-STS
Publish a clear inbound TLS requirement so secure delivery is the expected standard.
TLS-RPT
Turn TLS delivery failures into actionable reports, so transport issues don't stay hidden.
Lookalike Domain Defense
Find domains that imitate your brand and are likely to be used for phishing.
Breach Detection
Monitor multiple sources to uncover leaked company data and exposed credentials.
TLS-RPT FAQs
What is TLS-RPT?
TLS-RPT is a standard that lets a receiving domain request aggregated reports from sending servers when they can’t deliver email securely over TLS.
How Does TLS-RPT Improve Email Security?
TLS-RPT improves email security by providing visibility into encryption failures, allowing domain owners to detect, investigate, and fix issues that might compromise secure email delivery.
Is TLS-RPT an Email Authentication Control?
No. TLS-RPT isn’t an email authentication control like SPF, DKIM, or DMARC. It is a reporting standard for transport-layer security.
Do I Need TLS-RPT if I Already Have MTA-STS?
No, but it’s strongly recommended. MTA-STS sets your domain’s TLS requirements, and TLS-RPT provides reports from sending servers showing when – and why – delivery attempts fail due to TLS issues.
What DNS Record is Used for TLS-RPT?
The TLS-RPT DNS record is a TXT record published at _smtp._tls.<domain>, and it includes v=TLSRPTv1 plus an rua= destination for reports.
Where Do TLS-RPT Reports Get Sent?
TLS-RPT reports are sent to the destination you specify in the rua= tag, most commonly a dedicated mailto: address.
What Issues Can TLS-RPT Help Uncover?
TLS-RPT can help uncover TLS negotiation problems, MTA-STS-related failures, and DNS errors.
Does TLS-RPT Block Email?
TLS-RPT doesn’t block email. TLS-RPT is reporting-only. Enforcement is handled by policies like MTA-STS.
Can I Have Multiple TLS-RPT Records for My Domain?
No. Your business shouldn’t publish multiple TLS-RPT records for a domain. Keep in mind, your organization can include multiple reporting addresses or endpoints within a single record by separating them with commas.
How Can I Check if My TLS-RPT Record is Set Up Correctly?
Your company can check its TLS-RPT record setup by using tools like Sendmarc’s TLS-RPT lookup. Once published, monitor the specified inbox or endpoint to confirm that reports are being received.