ICANN Acronyms and Terms

The entity that accepts root zone data from the Root Zone Administrator, cryptographically signs the root zone data using the zone signing key, and places the signed data in the root zone distribution system. The RZM also serves as the Zone Signing Key Operator for the root zone. 

Currently, Verisign serves as the RZM under contract with ICANN.

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) function related to the stewardship of the root zone. Root zone management involves maintaining the authoritative registry of the top-level domains (TLDs), coordinating with the operators of the TLDs, and managing the root zone’s key signing key (KSK).

Like all IANA functions, root zone management is performed by Public Technical Identifiers, an affiliate of ICANN.

A system that enables top-level domain administrators to lodge change requests, and for IANA staff to process them for inclusion in the root zone and root zone database.

The entity that provides services related to the ZSK for the root zone as outlined in the DNSSEC Practice Statement for the Root Zone ZSK Operator.

The RZ ZSK Operator is responsible for:

• Generating and protecting the private component of the RZ ZSK.
• Securely exporting and transmitting the public RZ ZSK component to the RZ Key Signing Key (KSK) Operator.
• Securely importing the signed RZ ZSK keyset from the RZ KSK Operator.
• Signing the root zone's resource records.
• Issuing an emergency key rollover within a reasonable amount of time if any private key component associated with the zone is lost or suspected to be compromised.

Verisign currently serves as the RZ ZSK Operator under contract with ICANN.

One defined application submission and processing period for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs).

The organized collection of protocols, addressing schemes, and processes that enable the efficient transmission of data packets between and within networks.