DigiCert Common Mark (CMC) certificate is an advanced solution that enables businesses to enhance the credibility of their email communications by automatically displaying the company logo in the sender field at the inbox stage. This product integrates BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) technology with strict security standards based on DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, allowing for verification of email authenticity while effectively countering phishing and spoofing attacks. Implementing CMC requires the sender’s domain to fully comply with a DMARC policy set to “p=quarantine” or “p=reject,” ensuring that any attempts to impersonate the sender are promptly detected and blocked.

The validation process for the DigiCert Common Mark (CMC) certificate is based on methods used for Extended Validation (EV) TLS certificates, with additional steps to confirm the organization’s identity and the authenticity of the logo. A key requirement is to document that the logo in use – regardless of formal trademark registration – has been used consistently for at least twelve months on a domain controlled by the entity. As a result, this certificate allows businesses without a registered trademark to benefit from displaying a recognizable logo, thereby increasing recipients’ trust in the messages they receive.

DigiCert Common Mark (CMC) offers full integration with email infrastructure, enabling automatic certificate updates in tandem with the hosted logo file. The certificate issuance process takes place following a detailed verification of the company’s identity, which may involve notarized identity documents or verification via video call, ensuring the highest level of security and compliance with industry standards. Unlike Verified Mark Certificates (VMC), which require formal trademark registration of the logo and include an additional blue verification symbol, CMC allows for the use of a logo under confirmed “prior use” or in a modified form, significantly simplifying the acquisition process. As a result, the Common Mark certificate not only boosts brand visibility and message recognition but also positively impacts email open rates and marketing campaign effectiveness, while simultaneously eliminating the risk of unauthorized impersonation attempts.

By implementing Common Mark Certificate (CMC), DigiCert – one of the leading providers of digital trust solutions—enables companies to achieve a high level of security while streamlining the validation and certificate issuance process. This solution is particularly recommended for organizations that regularly communicate with customers via email and wish to provide them with an additional layer of protection against fraud while increasing the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

• DigiCert Common Mark Certificates (CMC) provide a high level of data encryption and integrity through the use of the latest cryptographic algorithms and SSL/TLS protocols, ensuring secure communication even in the most demanding IT environments.
• This solution is based on stringent validation procedures similar to those used for EV SSL certificates, encompassing thorough verification of the organization’s identity and the legality of the registered trademark, minimizing the risk of impersonation and other spoofing attacks.
• By integrating with BIMI and the DMARC, DKIM, and SPF standards, a verified brand logo can be displayed directly alongside the email sender, which not only boosts the authenticity of communications but also increases open and engagement rates among recipients.
• Centralized certificate lifecycle management through the CertCentral platform enables automated renewals, certificate status monitoring, and easy integration with complex IT infrastructures, ensuring business continuity and compliance with international security standards.
• Common Mark Certificates (CMC) elevate brand credibility by visibly verifying the authenticity of communications, which is crucial in an environment vulnerable to advanced phishing and other cyber threats.

To obtain a DigiCert Common Mark (CMC) certificate, you must meet several key requirements. Without fulfilling the conditions below, generating a CMC certificate will not be possible. If you have any doubts and/or questions, please contact our sales department.

• Ensure that the domain for which the CMC certificate will be generated has correctly configured DNS records: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
• The logo that will be displayed alongside the sent message must be in SVG format and meet the BIMI requirements.
• The logo must have been in use for at least 12 months and be associated with the brand. In the case of CMC, it is not required that the mark be registered in official trademark registers.
• Once these conditions have been met, you can place an order for a CMC certificate.

CMC certificates allow the brand logo to be displayed in popular web-based email clients:

• Gmail
• Yahoo
• Fastmail web
• Verizon
• AOL

Additionally, CMC certificates support displaying the logo alongside sent messages in popular (including mobile) email clients:

• Gmail Android
• Gmail iPhone
• Fastmail mobile

DigiCert technical support for the Common Mark (CMC) certificate provides comprehensive assistance at every stage of certificate deployment and management. A team of experts is available around the clock, seven days a week, to offer advice on configuration, integration, and troubleshooting of technical issues—especially important when implementing email authentication mechanisms based on DMARC, DKIM, and SPF protocols. DigiCert consultants assist in properly preparing graphic files that must comply with BIMI requirements, enabling the effective display of the brand logo in inboxes even if it is not registered as a trademark. Technical support also focuses on helping users navigate the central CertCentral platform, which automates renewal processes, monitors certificate status, and manages certificates within complex IT infrastructures. This allows users to quickly identify and resolve potential issues, minimizing the risk of system downtime and loss of recipient trust. DigiCert provides extensive documentation and educational resources to help users independently resolve any challenges they encounter. Access to a knowledge base, FAQs, and step-by-step instructions facilitates the effective deployment of the DigiCert Common Mark (CMC) certificate, enabling organizations to maintain the highest standards of security and communication authenticity – a critical factor in protecting against cyber threats.