In the Realm of the Domain
The simple act of typing “www.” into an Internet browser
is almost second nature for Web users. Network problems
aside, when you type in a Web address, you expect the site
to pop up onscreen.
ICANN is responsible for coordinating the system of
unique identifiers on a global basis. Every computer on
with Internet access has a unique IP (Internet protocol)
address, which acts like a street address and allows navigation around the Web. Because IP addresses, which are
strings of numbers, are hard to remember, the Domain
Name System (DNS) allows a more familiar string of letters
to be used instead. ICANN ensures that the DNS works
and that domain name information is protected.
ICANN is constantly trying to balance the dual forces of
neutrality and oversight. Internet stability is a cornerstone
of the organization’s core values, but any new procedures or
rules considered for this purpose must be carefully evaluated
before being introduced to the registrars—the 900 or so individual companies ICANN authorizes to manage millions of
domain name registrations.
Kurt Pritz, senior vice president,
Services, ICANN; Krista Papac,
sales executive, Iron Mountain
Digital; and Mike Zupke,
registrar liaison manager, ICANN
At the same time, the
protection of registrants—
the people and organizations that register domain
names—is of utmost importance. ICANN’s mission to
manage the Domain Name System includes making sure
that registrants and their information are protected when
they contact a registrar and purchase a domain name.
For instance, think of what would happen if the registrar that supported Amazon.com or eBay.com or your bank
suddenly went away. Your flicker of annoyance would turn
to concern if you continued to get an error page despite
a working Internet connection. This could happen if the
registrar supporting the Web site went out of business and
the domain name expired. Meanwhile, on the company’s
end, every minute its site is unavailable means thousands
of uncompleted financial transactions and dissatisfied
customers.
