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