Open source web address security sets pace for business
1 min read
The new web address security system, developed by the OpenDNSSEC project, has been welcomed by the organisers of 360°IT (the IT infrastructure event)
Natalie Booth, the event director, makes the point that it seamlessly integrates secure domain names into existing Internet hosting platforms, without organisations having to change their infrastructures.
"What this open source initiative [which is entering beta test this week] does is to secure the data used to translate domain names to computer addresses, by adding to it a cryptographic signature created by a securely held key," explains Booth.
"Then, when the information is retrieved as a result of a DNS query, the cryptographic signature is also returned, allowing the distant software to validate the DNS lookup procedure," she continues.
This open source software has been developed by several Internet leaders, including Nominet, NLNetLabs, Kirei, SURFnet, and SIDN. And the value: the technology will allow site owners and operators to sign their web site addresses and signal to Internet users that it is both legitimate and secure.
With cloud security and other Internet-based services rapidly entering the business frame, Booth points out that this is crucially important, "as businesses must be able to trust the underlying protocols that make up the modern Internet".
