View source for MCLA E-Mail Forwarding Policy

== MCLA Email Forwarding Policy ==

Effective February 1, MCLA prohibits the forwarding of MCLA email to external accounts (including but not limited to Gmail, Yahoo, and other third‑party email providers).


=== Purpose of This Policy ===
MCLA is committed to safeguarding institutional data, protecting user accounts, and maintaining the integrity of our communications systems. Forwarding email to external providers bypasses MCLA’s security protections—such as spam filtering, malware detection, and phishing prevention—creating increased risk for both individual users and the college.

=== Security Considerations ===
When email is forwarded outside of MCLA’s secure environment, we lose the ability to:

* Enforce advanced spam and phishing filters
* Protect against malicious attachments or links
* Quickly remove dangerous messages from inboxes
* Ensure compliance with institutional and legal standards

For example, highly sophisticated phishing messages occasionally bypass automated filters because they lack typical warning signs such as suspicious links or attachments. When such a message is delivered directly to MCLA mailboxes, our security team can respond quickly—often removing malicious content within minutes once reported. This level of protection is not possible when messages are forwarded to external systems.
Ongoing Security Enhancements
MCLA continuously invests in advanced security measures to protect our community. Key initiatives include:

* Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds a second layer of protection to prevent unauthorized account access.
* 24/7 Security Operations Monitoring: Ensures constant surveillance of both on‑premises and cloud systems.
* Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Keeps faculty and staff prepared to recognize and respond to emerging threats.

Disabling external email forwarding is an additional measure that strengthens our overall security posture.

=== Accessing Your MCLA Email ===
To maintain secure and reliable communication, users must access their MCLA email through one of the following methods:

MCLA Portal: <https://portal.mcla.edu>
Configured Email Client: Instructions are available at Office 365 Mobile Access – TechHelp@MCLA

=== Support ===
For assistance configuring your email client or for any questions about this policy, please contact the MCLA Help Desk:

Email: helpdesk@mcla.edu
Phone: 413‑662‑5511

Thank you for your cooperation in helping protect MCLA’s digital environment. Your efforts allow us to maintain a secure, reliable communication system for all members of our community.