Prevent Email Disruptions to Your Business
Microsoft has announced that it will soon end support for Basic Authentication with SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), a widely used method enabling email communication across various devices like copiers, scanners, phone systems, and more. This shift, aimed at improving security, could result in unexpected disruptions for businesses that rely on older systems to send email-based communications and alerts.
To help your organization stay secure and operational, Cytranet offers a Managed SMTP Service—a reliable, secure, and fully supported solution that ensures your email functionality continues seamlessly as Microsoft phases out SMTP with Basic Authentication.
Why It’s Important to Act Now
Microsoft’s move away from Basic Authentication is an industry-wide push toward more secure protocols. However, delaying your transition could cause serious disruptions:
1. Operational Downtime: Scanners, printers, phone systems, and security equipment may suddenly fail to transmit emails, affecting workflows like document scanning, voicemail notifications, and system alerts.
2. Temporary Blocks: Microsoft will progressively apply temporary service interruptions—starting as early as March 2026—designed to prompt compliance. If you’re unprepared, this can severely impact business continuity.
3. Permanent Changes: Once Basic Authentication is disabled by Microsoft in April 2026, it cannot be re-enabled. No allowances or exceptions will be provided.
Proactively adopting Cytranet’s Managed SMTP Service protects your email-dependent devices from these changes and ensures minimal impact on your daily operations.
SMTP and the Upcoming Transition
SMTP is the foundational protocol for sending emails across the internet. Many business-critical systems use SMTP to send automatic emails—think of all the times your office copier scans a document and sends it directly to your inbox, or your VoIP system forwards a voicemail message.
Historically, these systems authenticate using Basic Authentication, which only requires a username and password. This outdated method is prone to security threats such as credential stuffing and lacks support for modern security techniques like multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Microsoft is now requiring the use of Modern Authentication, such as OAuth 2.0, which uses secure tokens and enables enhanced safeguards. This change is designed to help mitigate security risks, but it presents a challenge for older devices that do not support newer authentication methods.
The Official Timeline
Microsoft plans a phased deprecation of SMTP Basic Authentication. Beginning in March 2026, a small percentage of email requests using Basic Authentication will be rejected to encourage users to switch. By April 30, 2026, Microsoft will reject 100% of attempts using Basic Authentication for SMTP submission. Devices attempting to connect after this cutoff will encounter permanent error messages such as “550 5.7.30 Basic authentication is not supported for Client Submission.”
To prepare, Microsoft will allow businesses to review their dependency on Basic Auth through the Exchange Admin Center starting in October 2024. This offers a critical opportunity to assess your environment and begin transitioning away from vulnerable setups.
The Challenge: Legacy Equipment
One of the biggest obstacles companies face is incompatibility. Many existing devices—especially older or specialized equipment—lack the ability to support Modern Authentication protocols like OAuth. Replacing or upgrading this hardware can be expensive, time-consuming, and impractical for businesses with widely distributed locations.
This is why partnering with a provider like Cytranet is essential.
Cytranet’s Managed SMTP Service: A Hassle-Free Solution
Cytranet’s Managed SMTP Service is engineered to address this exact scenario. Our service acts as a secure relay between your legacy hardware and modern cloud email services, ensuring your devices continue functioning without interruption. Key features include:
– Seamless Compatibility: Compatible with both Basic and Modern Authentication methods. Your existing equipment doesn’t need to change.
– Advanced Security: Built with enterprise-grade encryption, MFA integration, and aligned with regulatory compliance standards such as HIPAA and GDPR.
– 24/7 Monitoring & Support: Cytranet’s expert team continually monitors your SMTP service and offers around-the-clock technical support.
– Fast Implementation: Setup is quick and efficient—often completed in just a few hours.
The Benefits of Choosing Cytranet
By shifting to Cytranet’s Managed SMTP Service, your business gains:
– Reduced Costs: Avoid unnecessary expenses on new hardware or emergency fixes when mail functions suddenly fail.
– Improved Uptime: Robust, redundant infrastructure ensures 99.99% service availability.
– Expert Planning: Our team offers comprehensive audits and customized transition plans tailored to your environment.
– Peace of Mind: Stay ahead of compliance changes without dedicating internal resources to resolve technical issues.
Multiple businesses across sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics have already partnered with Cytranet for their SMTP needs, reporting fewer issues, streamlined operations, and increased system reliability.
How to Begin
Making the switch is fast and straightforward. Contact Cytranet for a free consultation and system audit. We’ll identify any reliance on Basic Authentication, evaluate your SMTP infrastructure, and provide a no-obligation quote for your custom setup.
Microsoft’s SMTP deprecation begins in early 2026, but the time to act is now. Avoid disruptions, protect your investment in existing equipment, and ensure secure, uninterrupted communications.
