How do I grant someone access to my SNDS account?

13 Marketer opinions 2 Expert opinions 3 Technical articles 2 Resources

Summary

To grant someone access to your SNDS account, the consensus is that the individual needs to create their own Microsoft account and register for a separate SNDS account. They then submit a request for access, specifying the relevant IP ranges. The account administrator receives a notification and approves the request within the SNDS interface. If Sendgrid or another provider owns the IP addresses, they might need to approve the access as well. Sharing login credentials is strongly discouraged for security and auditability reasons. As an alternative, sharing SNDS reports might be considered when direct access is problematic.

Key findings

Individual accounts required: Every user accessing SNDS must have their own Microsoft account and SNDS account.
Access request initiated by user: The individual requiring access is responsible for requesting it through the SNDS interface.
IP address specification: The request must include the specific IP ranges that the user needs to monitor.
Administrator approval needed: The SNDS account administrator must approve the access request.
Third-party approval may be necessary: If Sendgrid or another provider owns the IPs, they may need to approve the request as well.
Sharing accounts is discouraged: Sharing login credentials is not a secure practice and complicates tracking and accountability.
Reports are an alternative: Sharing reports provides data access without granting full account access.

Key considerations

Valid Microsoft Account: Ensure the requesting user has a valid Microsoft account associated with a legitimate email address (e.g., abuse@ or postmaster@domain.com).
Accurate IP addresses: Verify the IP addresses specified in the access request are correct.
Third-party notification: If Sendgrid or another provider owns the IPs, notify them of the pending access request to expedite approval.
Approval timeframe: Approve or deny access requests promptly, as delayed responses might require the user to re-submit their request.
Alternative access option: Explore the use of reports for those who don't require full access to the SNDS.
Linking to Infrastructure: Setting up SNDS initially requires linking it to your sending infrastructure, before users request access.

What email marketers say
13Marketer opinions

To grant someone access to your SNDS account, the recommended approach is for the individual to create their own Microsoft account and register for an SNDS account. They then request access to specific IP ranges. The account owner receives a notification and must approve the request within the SNDS interface. If the IP is managed by a third party like Sendgrid, they might need to approve the request. Sharing account credentials is discouraged for security reasons. As an alternative, you could share reports generated from your SNDS data.

Key opinions

Individual Accounts: Each user should create their own SNDS account with their Microsoft account.
Request Access: The user requests access to specific IP ranges they need to monitor.
Approval Process: The account owner approves the access request within the SNDS interface.
Third-Party Approval: If a third party manages the IP, they might also need to approve the request (e.g., Sendgrid).
Security: Sharing account credentials is not recommended due to security risks.
Alternative Data Sharing: Consider sharing reports generated from SNDS data if direct access is not feasible.

Key considerations

Microsoft Account: Ensure the requesting user has a valid Microsoft account.
IP Address Accuracy: Verify the IP addresses being requested are correct.
Abuse/Postmaster Address: The Microsoft account's email address should ideally match the abuse or postmaster address associated with the sending domain.
Sendgrid Approval: If Sendgrid manages the IP, inform your account manager to expect the access request.
Timely Approval: Approve access requests promptly, as there might be a limited time window.
Reporting as an Alternative: If you are sharing reports, ensure it's done in a secure manner.

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that setting up SNDS initially requires linking it to your sending infrastructure. Then each user who requires access has to request it.

February 2025 - Reddit

Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora advises that the most secure method is for each individual to have their own SNDS account, tied to their own Microsoft account, requesting access as needed. Sharing login credentials introduces unnecessary security risks.

May 2022 - Quora

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that if Sendgrid owns the IP, they will have to approve the access request. If it's dedicated, inform your account manager to expect the request.

October 2022 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that users need to create their own SNDS account and request access. Once they have access to the same IP range, they will appear in your account.

January 2025 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Deliverability Forum suggests that if directly granting access is problematic, consider creating reports and sharing them periodically. This avoids giving full access but still provides necessary insights. You can export data and share via secure methods.

November 2023 - Email Deliverability Forum

Marketer view

Email marketer from StackOverflow explains if access isn't being granted, confirm the requesting user is using a Microsoft account associated with a valid abuse/postmaster address for the sending domain. Sometimes, domain ownership verification issues prevent access.

November 2022 - StackOverflow

Marketer view

Email marketer from Email On Acid suggests that each member should use a unique log in rather than share credentials. This gives better visibility and tracking for users.

July 2024 - Email On Acid

Marketer view

Email Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that if the colleague requests access and contacts Sendgrid support, they will check and approve the access. Contact support as soon as the request is made. There is a short window to approve SNDS requests, or the colleague may need to re-request access.

August 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit shares that the person needing access must first register for their own SNDS account using a Microsoft account. After registration, they submit a request for access, specifying the IP addresses. The original account holder will then receive a notification to approve or deny the request.

December 2023 - Reddit

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks confirms that it is normal to request access through an internal email address, but it's unlikely you'll receive the email unless you have a mailbox set up for it.

March 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks mentions that if the colleague requests access and contacts Sendgrid support, they will check and approve the access. Contact support as soon as the request is made. There is a short window to approve SNDS requests, or the colleague may need to re-request access.

November 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks explains that the user needs to click on 'request access' and enter the IPs they want to see. The IP owner (Sendgrid) will receive an alert about the request.

May 2023 - Email Geeks

Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares that users request access via their SNDS account, and you grant it. You'll receive an email to abuse@ or postmaster@.

September 2021 - Email Geeks

What the experts say
2Expert opinions

Experts emphasize that individuals should request SNDS access on their own, rather than sharing accounts. This approach is crucial for maintaining security, ensuring proper audit trails, and tracking accountability effectively. Sharing accounts can lead to confusion and potential issues regarding future use and access management.

Key opinions

Individual Requests: Users needing access should request it themselves.
Account Sharing Risks: Sharing accounts compromises security and auditability.
Accountability: Individual accounts are important to track account usage and accountability.

Key considerations

Security Best Practices: Follow security best practices by avoiding account sharing.
Audit Trail: Maintain a clear audit trail for SNDS access and usage.
Access Control: Implement proper access control by granting permissions only to those who need it.

Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that granting access requires the user to request access on their own. Sharing accounts causes confusion on who is using the account and can lead to issues for future use.

June 2023 - Word to the Wise

Expert view

Expert from Spam Resource highlights the importance of individual accounts for security and audit trails. Sharing accounts introduces risks and makes tracking accountability difficult. Therefore, the best approach is for each person to set up their own SNDS account and request permissions.

October 2024 - Spam Resource

What the documentation says
3Technical articles

Microsoft documentation outlines that granting SNDS access involves individual accounts, where users create their own account and request access to specific IP ranges. The account administrator must then approve the request via the SNDS interface. A valid Microsoft account is required, ideally using an email address matching the abuse/postmaster address of the sending domain. The administrator receives an email notification of the access request and the approval is IP-specific.

Key findings

Individual SNDS Accounts: Each user must create their own SNDS account.
Request Specific IPs: Users request access to specific IP ranges.
Administrator Approval: The account administrator must approve the access request in the SNDS interface.
Email Notification: Administrators receive an email notification for access requests.

Key considerations

Valid Microsoft Account: The user needs a valid Microsoft account.
Matching Email Address: The Microsoft account email should match the abuse/postmaster address of the sending domain for easier verification.
IP Address Verification: Ensure the requested IP address is correct before approving the access request.

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that after a user requests access, the SNDS account administrator receives an email notification. The administrator must then log into their SNDS account and approve the request. The approval is tied to the IP address being requested, so ensure the IP is correct.

January 2022 - Microsoft

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft explains that SNDS accounts are individual. Users need to create their own account and request access to the specific IP ranges they want to monitor. The account owner then needs to grant access within the SNDS interface.

August 2024 - Microsoft

Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft states the primary requirement is that the requesting user must have a valid Microsoft account. The user's email address used for the Microsoft account should ideally match the abuse or postmaster address associated with the sending domain, to make verification easier.

July 2024 - Microsoft Support