Setting up the internet is a powerful tool to build a network. The global internet serves as a link of all computers in the world. It facilitates worldwide connection between users by which end users can gather information, connect with others and accomplish their tasks. Since the internet is popular at this present time, and many people are already existing online, it is practical for the authorities to look for preventive ways that will protect the world wide internet. But how is the web being managed and controlled?
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (or ICANN) is not-for-profit public-benefit organization located in United States that is responsible for assigning unique identifiers in numerical values to each web address. These unique identifiers or IP addresses are coordinated across the globe.
The domain name system or DNS is a process of locating and translating internet domain names into internet protocol addresses by which the end users can easily remember and enter a particular website. ICANN is a private sector entity that has a unique role of developing the global internet’s physical and organizational structure.
The Guardian’s journalist, James Ball, was given an invite to witness the key ceremony together with other security experts and meet the key holders. James Ball reported that the ceremony provide maximum security to the overall procedure.
The said activity call for passing through a door that requires a pin code, smart card, and a biometric hand scan. Then it leads to another set of security entrance that requires some code before you can enter the break room. After the series of unlocking secured machines, the participants proceed to another part of the ritual: the key signing.
There are 14 primary key holders who actually have the access to protect and sustain the world wide web. Since 2010, the members of ICANN conducts a key ceremony or ritual of generating a new master key. This event happens every quarter, twice on the east coast of US and twice on the west. There are seven people who participate in east and west coast ceremonies, plus seven people from different parts of the world as backups in case a calamitous event happened.
ICANN generates secret keys or Root Keys using a powerful software that makes it difficult to break. The physical keys (or traditional metal keys) that are secured by each key holder which in turn give access to unlock safety deposit boxes. These boxes contain smart cards.
The seven smart cards combined can be referred to as the master key that has the capability to enter and control the ICANN database. The master key contains a fragment of code or a password. The security of these secret keys is of the essence to maintain legitimacy. This kind of system is strictly observed and supported to ensure the internet stability and security.
In case there is someone who can obtain the master key, that person could have the power to control the global internet, lead people to any fake web addresses, steal credit card details, and bring the entire computing system down.
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