PIR to test new security implementation

In early June, we reported about the Public Interest Registry (PIR) and their plans to introduce new security to .org top-level domains (TLD). After a month of preparing, PIR is ready to move some 18 live domains to the security extensions for testing. The official launch of the new system, called DNSSEC, will take place next year.

DNSSEC, which stands for Domain Name System Security Extensions, allows DNS queries and responses to be digitally signed, making them more difficult to exploit and falsify. PIR, a non-profit organization, is responsible for the management of all .org infrastructure, and took over operations of the .org TLD in 2003.

Alexa Raad, chief executive officer of PIR, said implementation of DNSSEC is an essential part of the process of upgrading the Internet infrastructure to provide the security that users of this critical utility require.
“There is a responsibility for the current generation to ensure that the infrastructure is upgraded,” Raad said.

The U.S. government has implemented DNSSEC security with its .gov TLDs, but the .org implementation will be much larger and more involved. The .org TLD is the third largest behind .com and .net, boasting more than 7.5 million domains, compared to 3,700 .gov domains.

Source: Government Computer News

PIR advocates to keep registries and registrars separate

The Public Interest Registry (PIR), the non-profit organization responsible for the management of .ORG top-level domains (TLD), is raising its voice to advocate registry-registrar separation. The organization is concerned that ICANN is moving toward removing restrictions that prevent a registry, responsible for maintaining the infrastructure and management of a Top-level domain, from simultaneously owning registrars, the companies that sell domains.

Among the problems such cross-ownership could cause are that registries that are also registrars could provide domains at lower prices and thereby give themselves an unfair advantage over competing registrars. Another possible negative outcome is that information that a registrar gives to the domain registry could be used for their own registrar’s business, thereby once again giving them an unfair advantage.

PIR believes that these safeguards must stay in place and be more thoroughly defined when the new gTLDs are implemented. ICANN will be presenting information about cross ownership to a panel in Sydney on June 22. This will also undoubtedly raise questions about ICANN’s future. While the U.S. government believes it should maintain oversight over the organization, the E.U. wants oversight to be handed over to a collective committee of nations. ICANN itself, however, has expressed wishes to become an independent organization.

Source: CircleID