IE-Annual-Report-2023

IGF The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was established in 2006 by the United Nations to create a forum for discussion of Internet governance policy issues. Multi- stakeholders represent countries, commerce and society in general. IPv4 and IPv6 Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) is the fourth version of the communications protocol that provides an identification and location system for computers on networks and routes traffic across the Internet. (IE Domain Registry’s IPv4 address is 77.72.75.172). In response to a global shortage of addresses, a successor protocol, IPv6, became an Internet Standard on 14 July 2017. IPv6 uses a 128-bit address, theoretically allowing 2 128 addresses – enough for every Internet-connected fridge and toaster on the planet – for now at least. (IE Domain Registry’s IPv6 address is 2a01:4b0:0:8::ac). Nameserver Nameservers are computers with software that stores and/or distributes domains (zones) and which accept and answer domain name questions. When a user wishes to visit www.weare.ie for example, the user’s computer sends a question to a nameserver asking for an IP address for a computer on which information regarding www.weare.ie is located. NIS Directive The Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive) is the first piece of EU-wide legislation which provides legal measures to boost the overall level of cybersecurity in the European Union. Specifically, it requires that Member States ensure they each implement certain national cybersecurity capabilities, facilitate cross-border engagement, and supervise the cybersecurity of critical market operators in their country (including energy, communications, transport, health and finance). Member States were required to have transposed the Directive into their national laws by 9 May 2018 and identify Operators of Essential Services (OES) by 9 November 2018. NIS2 modernises the existing legal framework to keep up with increased digitisation and an evolving cybersecurity threat landscape. PAC The Board of .IE established a Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) in 2014 to consider and provide advice on policy issues concerning Ireland’s Internet top-level domain, .ie. The Policy Advisory Committee operates in line with the 10-step Policy Development Process (PDP). PDP .IE’s Policy Development Process (PDP) for the .ie namespace is a 10-step process used to formulate, evaluate, and generate consensus on proposed policy changes and its implementation. The formal process is consensus-driven, transparent and allows for bottom- up proposals from the wider multi-stakeholder Internet community. See www.weare.ie/policy-development- process . Registrant The individual or legal entity registered in the .ie database, with the legal right to use the .ie domain name. Registry A registry is a company or organisation responsible for the administration and operation of a top-level domain. .IE is the active registry operator responsible for administration, management and technical operation of the .ie domain and ensures that all registered .ie domains are included in the zone file and accessible via the Internet. Registrar Please see “.ie accredited Registrar” on page 50. Reserves Management Policy The company’s internal Reserves Management Policy reflects the classification of its Reserves (its Member Funds) as follows:- The Strategic Sustainability Reserve – “sufficient reserves to safeguard the company’s long-term financial position and ensure continuity of operations in the event of unexpected circumstances”. Designated Funds in free reserves – “the initiatives committed to specific company objectives, agreed with the Board” during the annual review process, and based on its Strategic Plan. The Undesignated Funds in free reserves – are therefore the residual. Zone and zone file A zone is the delimitation of the administrative responsibility for a domain tree. A zone file is a data file comprising the necessary zone information to enable the use of DNS addressing. The zone files are stored on authoritative nameservers that are distributed throughout the Internet. IE Domain Registry CLG t/a .IE / Annual Report & Review 2023 51