Platform Setup Guide
Connect INKY to your email platform in 20-30 minutes. No MX changes required, no business continuity risk.
Written By Matt Sywulak
Last updated 4 months ago
Before You Begin
You'll need:
For Microsoft 365:
Global Administrator access
For Google Workspace:
Super Administrator access
Time required: 20-30 minutes for either platform
Why Inline Deployment Matters
No Single Point of Failure
INKY works behind your existing email infrastructure. If INKY has an issue, email flow continues uninterrupted messages simply bypass INKY temporarily and deliver normally.
Traditional SEGs require MX record changes that make them your primary mail receiver. If they go down, all email stops.
No Business Continuity Risk
No weeks-long migration, no complex cutover planning, no "big bang" switchover moment. Connect INKY as an additional layer of protection without touching your existing mail infrastructure.
30-Minute Setup
Because INKY doesn't require MX changes or become your primary mail receiver, setup is fast:
No DNS propagation waiting (24-48 hours)
No gradual traffic migration
No professional services required
No impact to existing mail flow during setup
Microsoft 365 Setup
High-Level Process
Add INKY connector information to Microsoft 365
Create mail flow rules to route email through INKY
Create INKY-Users security group for phased deployment
Verify connection and enable Journal Mode
Configure first-week essentials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Auto-Onboarding
INKY offers auto-onboarding for Microsoft 365 that handles connector and mail flow rule creation automatically.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Requirements: Global admin consent for INKY application
Google Workspace Setup
High-Level Process
Configure routing in Google Admin console
Add INKY to approved senders
Create INKY-Users group for phased deployment
Configure first-week essentials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Detailed Google Workspace setup guide →
First-Week Configuration Checklist
Before adding users to INKY-Users group, configure these essentials:
1. VIP Protection (5 minutes)
Add executives and high-value targets to VIP list for enhanced spoofing protection.
Navigate to: Admin Center > VIP Users
Add: CEO, CFO, executives, board members, IT administrators
2. Allow List (5 minutes)
Add trusted business partners and frequent senders to reduce false positives.
Navigate to: Admin Center > Allow List
Add: Known vendors, business partners, service providers
Note: Be selective—don't add entire domains unless truly trusted
3. Block List (Optional, 5 minutes)
Add known malicious senders or domains you want permanently blocked.
Navigate to: Admin Center > Block List
Common additions: Competitor domains attempting phishing, known bad actors
4. Threat Notifications (2 minutes)
Configure where threat alerts and daily digests are sent.
Navigate to: Admin Center > Notifications
Recipients: Security team, IT administrators
Frequency: Daily digest recommended for first 2 weeks
What's Next?
Platform connected? Plan your deployment strategy:
Understand Journal Mode vs. INKY-Users protection
Plan pilot group selection
Review learning mode behavior
Continue to Deployment Strategy →
Troubleshooting Resources
Setup issues:
Email support@inky.com with connection issues
Mail flow concerns:
Getting help:
Include screenshots of mail flow rules or routing configuration
Note any error messages from Microsoft/Google admin consoles
Describe what's working vs. not working
Bottom Line: INKY's inline deployment means you connect behind existing mail infrastructure in 20-30 minutes without MX changes. No single point of failure, no business continuity risk, no complex migration. Verify connection, enable Journal Mode, configure essentials, then move to deployment planning.