550 5.7.520 Access Denied Error Returned by Remote Server

Key Notes

  • External email forwarding is disabled by default in Microsoft 365.
  • The error 550 5.7.520 indicates external forwarding is not allowed.
  • IT administrators can enable forwarding for individual users or all users.

How to Effectively Enable External Email Forwarding in Office 365

Many users encounter an obstacle when trying to forward emails externally in Microsoft 365, represented by the error message ‘550 5.7.520 Access denied’.This guideline provides a step-by-step approach to remedy this issue and enable external email forwarding, ensuring seamless communication with external contacts.

Steps to Enable External Email Forwarding

Step 1: Allow External Forwarding for an Individual User

To permit a specific user in your organization to forward emails outside your domain, follow these directions:

  1. Navigate to the Microsoft 365 Security Center and select Policies.
  2. Click on +Create policy and choose Outbound.
  3. Assign a name to the policy you’re creating, then click Next.
  4. Add the user details and click Next.
  5. Alter the Automatic forwarding rules setting from Automatic – System-controlled to On – Forwarding is enabled, then click Next.
  6. Review your settings and click Create to finalize.

Pro Tip: Always inform users that they can use external forwarding cautiously, as it may expose sensitive information.

Step 2: Allow External Forwarding for All Users

If you prefer granting all users in your organization the ability to forward emails externally, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Default Anti-spam outbound policy from the Anti-spam policies page.
  2. Select Edit Protection settings.
  3. Change the Automatic forwarding rules setting from Automatic – System-controlled to On – Forwarding is enabled and click Save.

Pro Tip: This approach is typically discouraged unless you have assessed the associated security risks effectively.

Additional Tips

  • Regularly review your email forwarding policies to ensure security compliance.
  • Help users understand the implications of forwarding confidential information.
  • Monitor external forwarding activity for any suspicious behavior.

Summary

Enabling external email forwarding in Microsoft 365 involves navigating security policies through the Office 365 Admin Center. This guide has outlined the steps needed for both individual users and all users while highlighting the importance of security principles when granting such permissions.

Conclusion

By following the outlined steps, IT administrators can successfully enable external email forwarding in Office 365, allowing for improved communication with external contacts. Always ensure that users are informed about the risks of forwarding sensitive emails and that proper security measures are in place to safeguard your organization’s data.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What does the error 550 5.7.520 indicate?

This error message means that your organization has disabled external email forwarding, and it needs to be enabled by an administrator.

How can I allow external forwarding?

You can allow external forwarding by creating a policy in the Office 365 Security Center that enables this feature for selected users or all users.