Distribution lists contain a collection of users, groups, roles, contacts, or other distribution lists.
If a recipient is not part of the IBM® Cognos® security system, you can create a contact for this person. The contacts you create can also be assigned as contacts for reports.
Note that if you choose the email recipient from a list, such as a group, role, or distribution list, you must have read access to both the list and the recipient's email account. Otherwise, the report delivery fails.