SPF — Sender Policy Framework
Definition: An email authentication standard that lets a domain owner specify which servers are allowed to send email on its behalf.
Example
If your SPF record only authorizes Google Workspace but someone tries to spoof you from another server, receivers can reject it.
When you'll hear it
SPF shows up most often in engineering planning, architecture reviews, and sprint retrospectives. When someone uses it, they're usually referring to sender policy framework — and they expect the room to already know what that means.
FAQs
What does SPF stand for?
SPF stands for Sender Policy Framework.
What does SPF mean in technology and engineering?
An email authentication standard that lets a domain owner specify which servers are allowed to send email on its behalf.
Where will I hear SPF used at work?
SPF comes up most often in engineering planning, architecture reviews, and sprint retrospectives. It's used as shorthand for sender policy framework, so people assume you already know the term.