Brings added security to three more countries around the world

Afilias, a global provider of Internet infrastructure services, today announced that it has enabled Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) for .GI, the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) for Gibraltar, .MN for Mongolia, and .SC for the Seychelles.

“This is another step forward in Afilias’ Project Safeguard rollout that is broadening DNSSEC deployment across our registry system,” said Ram Mohan, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Afilias. “With more than 50 TLDs having now deployed DNSSEC, we are pleased to enable our customers to benefit from our global leadership on DNSSEC and our supporting registry technology.”

“Gibraltar is pleased to be able to provide our country of Internet users and domain owners with the confidence of their domain security” said Jimmy Immosi, .GI Manager. “Deploying DNSSEC, along with our registry provider Afilias, will allow our domain to participate equally with world leaders on this important Internet security milestone.”

DNSSEC protects the DNS from cache poisoning exploits which can allow malicious entities to intercept an Internet users’ request to access a website, and redirect or eavesdrop on the user without their knowledge, and with no ability to reassert control. DNSSEC introduces digital signatures to the DNS infrastructure and ensures that DNS responses came from their authoritative source.

“Being an early adopter of the latest security technology is a significant opportunity for our country,” said Baasansuren Burmaa, Director, MN Domain Registry. “We are excited to be able to provide this benefit to Internet users from Mongolia and others around the world who have adopted a .MN Web address.”
Mr. Marc Houareau, Executive Chairman of VCS Pty Ltd, the managers of .SC TLD added, “.SC domains are used not just in the Seychelles, but around the globe as a meaningful and short Web address. Signing the .SC domain with DNSSEC allows us to play a key leadership role in evolution of the Internet.”

Afilias’ signing of these TLDs is part of its “Project Safeguard” initiative, bringing the number of secured TLDs on its registry platform to eleven. Afilias’ Project Safeguard includes the rollout of DNSSEC across its registry and DNS platforms and will incorporate an education and training program for Registrars to facilitate their adoption and implementation through 2011.