ICANN Announcements

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Mitigating Malicious Conduct in New gTLD - Zone File Access and High Security Zone TLD

22 February 2010

In one of many efforts to mitigate the potential for malicious conduct in new gTLDs, ICANN formed the Zone File Access (ZFA) Advisory Group and the High Security Top-Level Domain Advisory Group (“HSTLD AG”) following an announcement on 3 December 2009 (see, http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03dec09-en.htm).

Zone File Access:

ICANN sought the participation of a diverse and knowledgeable set of volunteers to discuss alternatives for Zone File Access. The group was charged with discussing benefits and exploring methods to effectively and efficiently enhance access to zone file information in an environment with many gTLDs. The Anti-Phishing Working Group and others have described access to zone data as an effective tool for combating DNS abuse.

On behalf of the ZFA Advisory Group, ICANN is opening a public comment forum on the ZFA Concept Paper (the "Paper") that describes standardized forms of access to zone file information. The Paper proposes four alternative implementation models for community consideration.

The Paper focuses on technical, operational, and administrative challenges for data providers and consumers in an environment with a potentially large number of gTLD registry zone files. Specifically, the work of the group targets consumer concerns relating to difficulties of accessing this important information in the new environment. For those combating DNS abuses, the goals of the program are to reduce the differences in and complexity of contractual agreements; standardize approaches; improve security and zone file access methods. Goals for gTLD registries include managing overhead related to zone file access and considering ways to improve service while maintaining administrative control over zone data.

The ZFA Advisory Group plans to conduct a workshop on its Paper and on-going activities at the ICANN meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday, 10 March 2010.

A copy of the Paper is available here [PDF, 260 KB]. The cost model referenced in the Paper is available here [XLS, 106 KB]. Comments on the Paper submitted to zfa-concept-15feb10@icann.org will be considered until 8 April 2010 23:59 UTC. Comments may be viewed at http://forum.icann.org/lists/zfa-concept-15feb10/ .

All documentation related to the work of the group, including an archive of its mailing list and MP3s for its teleconferences, is available at http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/zone-file-access-en.htm.

High Security Top-Level Domain (HSTLD)

The HSTLD Advisory Group meets regularly to build upon the concept of a security verification program for Top-Level Domains (TLD’s). Work on this concept was originally published for ICANN’s meeting in Seoul. For more information on the original concept paper, please refer to the following link: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/high-security-zone-verification-04oct09-en.pdf [PDF, 144 KB]. The HSTLD Advisory Group currently consists of members of ICANN staff and members of the community that have expressed an interest in assisting with the program as well as individuals who are subject matter experts in disciplines related to the program (e.g., security, auditing, certification programs).

On behalf of the HSTLD Advisory Group, ICANN is opening a public comment forum on the HSTLD “Draft Program Development Snapshot” ("Development Snapshot") that presents the most recent materials under review or development by the group. Work reflected in the Development Snapshot is considered “work in progress”, as various elements of the voluntary High Security TLD program are developed.

The HSTLD AG plans to conduct a workshop on on-going activities at the ICANN meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, 11 March 2010.

Comments on the Development Snapshot submitted to hstld-snapshot-15feb10@icann.org will be considered until 8 April 2010 23:59 UTC.

Comments may be viewed here: http://forum.icann.org/lists/hstld-snapshot-15feb10/

All documentation related to the work of the group, including an archive of its mailing list and MP3s for its teleconferences, is available at the following link: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/hstld-program-en.htm.

Related Links

New gTLD Program: http://www.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtld-program.htm