Policies - Auto Allow Creation Policy - Configuration

This article describes Auto Allow Creation policies and how you can create exceptions that add external email addresses to a trusted database. Inbound messages from a trusted external recipient are not subjected to spam checks with Auto Allow policies. Auto Allow Creation policies enable you to exclude certain routes of traffic from this process.

Usage Considerations

Consider the following before creating a policy:

• An Auto Allow entry is automatically deleted if no emails are sent to the address for 120 days.
• By default, email addresses are not added to the trusted database if:
  • Auto-responses are sent (e.g., out-of-office messages).
  • Suspected spam-related emails are released, and the recipient subsequently replies to the sender.
• Only messages that have been actively created by end users will have Auto Allow entries created. However, there may be addresses that you want to exclude from this process when emails are sent outbound.
• When configuring Auto Allow Creation policies, don't apply them to mailshots or similar bulk emails. This creates thousands of entries in your Managed Senders list, which accumulate over time and can cause performance issues when accessing the list.

Example Use Case

You may have a requirement to exclude certain internal or external addresses from generating Auto Allow entries. To enable this feature, create an Auto Allow Creation policy with the policy Do not generate AAL entries option:

Internal Address Exclusions

From Internal Email Address	[e-mail]
To:	Everyone.
Apply Policy:	Do not generate auto allow entries.

External Address Exclusions

From Internal Email Address	Everyone
To Email Domain:	gmail.com.
Apply Policy:	Do not generate auto allow entries.

Configuring an Auto Allow Creation Policy

To configure an Auto Allow Creation policy:

1. Log in to the Mimecast Administration Console.
2. Navigate to Policies | Gateway Policies.
3. Click on Auto Allow Creation. A list of policies is displayed.
4. Either select the:

•  
  • Policy to be changed.
  • New Policy button to create a policy.

5.   Complete the Options section as required:

Field / Option	Description
Policy Narrative	Provide a description for the policy to allow you to easily identify it in the future.
Select Option	Provides a way to exclude certain traffic flows from creating Auto Allow List (AAL) entries when emails are sent outbound.

6. Complete the Emails From and Emails To sections as required:

Field / Option	Description
Addresses Based On	Specify the email address characteristics the policy is based on. This option is only available in the "Emails From" section. The options are: The Return Address (Mail Envelope From): This default setting applies the policy to the SMTP address match, based on the message's envelope or true address (i.e., the address used during SMTP transmission). The Message From Address (Message Header From): Applies the policy based on the masked address used in the message's header. Both: Applies the policy based on either the Mail Envelope From or the Message Header From whichever matches. If both match the specified value the Message Header From is used.
Applies From / To	Specify the Sender characteristics the policy is based on. For multiple policies, you should apply them from the most to least specific. The options are: Everyone: Includes all email users (i.e., internal and external). Internal Address: Includes only internal organization addresses. External Address: Includes only external organization addresses. This option is only available in the Emails From section. Email Domain: Enables you to specify a domain name to which this policy is applied. The domain name is entered in the Specifically field. Address Groups: Enables you to specify a directory or local group. If this option is selected, click on the Lookup button to select a group from the Profile Group field. Once a group has been selected, you can click on the Show Location field to display the group's path. Address Attributes: Enables you to specify a predefined Attribute. The attribute is selected from the Where Attribute drop-down list. Once the Attribute is specified, an attribute value must be entered in the Is Equal To field. This can only be used if attributes have been configured for user accounts. Individual Email Address: Enables you to specify an SMTP address. The email address is entered in the Specifically field.

7. Complete the Validity section as required:

Field / Option	Description
Enable / Disable	Use this to enable (default) or disable a policy. If a date range has been specified, the policy will automatically be disabled when the end of the configured date range is reached.
Set Policy as Perpetual	If the policy's date range has no end date, this field displays Always On meaning that the policy never expires.
Date Range	Use this field to specify a start and/or end date for the policy. If the Eternal option is selected, no date is required.
Policy Override	This overrides the default order in which policies are applied. If there are multiple applicable policies, this policy is applied first unless more specific policies of the same type are configured with an override.
Bi-Directional	If selected, the policy is applied when the policy's recipient is the sender, and the sender is the recipient.
Source IP Ranges (n.n.n.n/x)	Enter any required Source IP Ranges for the policy. These only apply if the source IP address used to transmit the message data falls inside or matches the range(s) configured. IP ranges should be entered in CIDR notation.

8. Click on the Save and Exit button.

See Also...

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    • Configuring Auto Allow Policies