http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-22feb10-en.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mitigating Malicious Conduct in New gTLD - Zone File Access 22 February 2010 Zone File Access Concept Paper [PDF, 260 KB] Cost Model Information In one of many efforts to mitigate the potential for malicious conduct in new gTLDs, ICANN formed the Zone File Access (ZFA) Advisory Group following an announcement on 3 December 2009 (see, http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-03dec09-en.htm). 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 from 12:00-13:30 UTC. 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. Glen de Saint Géry GNSO Secretariat gnso.secretariat@gnso.icann.org http://gnso.icann.org