DigiCert launches Common Mark Certificates for email security

DigiCert has introduced Common Mark Certificates, a new tool aimed at enhancing the security and branding of email communications for organisations lacking trademark-protected logos.

Common Mark Certificates are designed to enable organisations to feature their logo with email communications, thereby enhancing brand recognition and email deliverability for logos protected by prior use rather than registered trademarks. This feature allows logos to be showcased even before emails are opened by recipients.

According to the 2024 Identity Fraud Study by Javelin Strategy & Research, identity fraud led to losses of USD $43 billion in 2023, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. Phishing remains a considerable threat, exploiting individuals to divulge personal information or engage with malware links.

Addressing these challenges, Domain-based Message Authentication (DMARC) was established in 2012 to prevent brand impersonation. Many email providers subsequently adopted Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) to bolster DMARC adoption, necessitating logo verification via mark certificates.

"DigiCert's new Common Mark Certificates are a game-changer for organizations looking to enhance the security and branding of their email communications," stated Dean Coclin, Senior Director of Digital Trust Services at DigiCert. "By removing the trademark requirement, we're opening the benefits of BIMI to a broader range of businesses, allowing them to build trust and visibility in their customers' inboxes. This offering aligns with DigiCert's commitment to simplifying digital trust while helping organizations meet critical email authentication standards that are becoming increasingly important for both security and brand reputation."

Seth Blank, CTO of Valimail and Chair of the AuthIndicators Working Group, which develops the BIMI standard, commented, "Common Mark Certificates are a significant step forward in making email authentication and BIMI more broadly accessible, empowering businesses of all sizes to leverage this powerful technology. At Valimail, we understand the importance of building trust and ensuring security in email communications. DigiCert's new offering will enable more businesses to take advantage of BIMI, helping them boost brand visibility while reinforcing their commitment to email security and DMARC enforcement."

Though companies must still undergo a validation process to confirm ownership of their email domain and logo, Common Mark Certificates offer flexibility for securing logos not covered by registered trademarks, including variations for holidays or causes. These certificates are compatible with existing email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, aligning with current requirements from platforms like Google and Yahoo for bulk email senders.

This new offering from DigiCert is now available for purchase, providing organisations with a resource to ensure enhanced email security and brand presence in consumers' inboxes.