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Call for Volunteers as Trusted Community Representatives

18 May 2017

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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is seeking interested individuals who wish to act as Trusted Community Representatives (TCRs). These individuals play an important role in managing the Root Zone Key Signing Key (KSK), the trust anchor for the global Domain Name System (DNS). By inviting recognized members of the DNS technical community to be part of the Root Zone KSK operations, the ICANN organization seeks to improve transparency and confidence in the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) security mechanism among the wider Internet community.

About the TCR Role

TCRs serve as one of the multi-layered safeguards that protect the key material used to secure the DNS Root Zone.

There are two primary types of TCRs: cryptographic officers, who are actively involved in Root Zone KSK ceremonies conducted throughout the year; and recovery key share holders, who are involved in our disaster recovery planning. The cryptographic officers make a commitment to travel to a least one Root Zone KSK ceremony per year.

All TCRs maintain custody of essential pieces required for the successful operation of the Root Zone KSK. To guard against unauthorized access, management of the KSK is spread across multiple individuals who must come together to operate the key.

TCRs are ambassadors on behalf of the broader technical and operational communities. To support trust in the system, TCRs report back to the community that the Root Zone KSK is being managed in an appropriate and trustworthy way.

All TCRs need to maintain a state of readiness should there be an unforeseen need to hold a ceremony at short notice.

Travel support is provided to TCRs who need to attend ceremonies. This support includes arranging and paying for airfare and accommodation, and providing a stipend for incidental costs.

More Information

Those who are interested in applying to be a TCR are invited to review detailed materials posted on the IANA website, which includes the process to submit a statement of interest. Statements of interest will be collected and assessed to fill current vacancies, and in the event of new vacancies. Visit here for these materials.

About ICANN

ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address into your computer or other device – a name or a number. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation and a community with participants from all over the world. For more information, please visit: https://www.icann.org.