Alert handlers can be configured with the dsconfig tool. PingDirectory servers support
$ bin/dsconfig create-alert-handler \
--handler-name "SMTP Alert Handler" \
--type smtp \
--set enabled:true \
--set "sender-address:alerts@example.com" \
--set "recipient-address:administrators@example.com" \
--set "message-subject:Directory Admin Alert \%\%alert-type\%\%" \
--set "message-body:Administrative alert:\\n\%\%alert-message\%\%"