Icann chief calls for co-operation on internet security

Icann's 38th international meeting kicks off in Brussels today

The chief executive of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) has asked for greater co-operation between international internet bodies in order to ensure the safety and stability of the Domain Name System (DNS).

Rod Beckstrom argued at the opening session of the organisation's 38th international meeting in Brussels that Icann "cannot resolve these issues alone ".

"We need to work within our family of organisations, large and small, formal and informal, to draw on the wealth of expertise around us," he said.

"No-one wants to experience in real life the repercussions of a major DNS outage. We have an opportunity to take strong preventative measures now so that we may try to avoid a major disruption to our daily lives."

Beckstrom added that several sessions at the Brussels meeting will focus on DNSSec, the security protocol developed to help defend the internet against attacks by "miscreants with malicious intent".

The meeting will also cover new generic Top Level Domains, and the affirmation of commitments between Icann and the US government designed to improve the accountability of the internet oversight body.