What is ICANN?

Ever wondered how the internet works so flawlessly: emails are delivered, websites load, and domains are unique for every business?

The quiet master that keeps the internet fair, organized, and secure is ICANN. 

While ICANN does not own the internet, it ensures that everything runs smoothly. It regulates and creates fairness for website owners and internet users.

ICANN also helps calm the chaos on the internet by formulating policies in response to issues. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss ICANN, its roles, obligations, and why it is involved in your internet interactions.

What is ICANN?

In full, ICANN means:

I – International 
C – Corporation for
A – Assigned 
N – Names and 
N – Numbers

Now you know

It is a non-profit that manages the Internet naming system.

When you type a web address on the computer, it leads you to a unique website through unique identifiers. ICANN plays a key role in managing the unique identifiers that track websites.

While ICANN helps coordinate the internet, ensuring order and allowing everyone to use it seamlessly, it does not control it. 

What Does ICANN Do?

Some of the key responsibilities of ICANN include: 

Domain Name Management

Domain names are essential human-friendly addresses that help internet users access website resources. 

ICANN determines the availability of top-level domains. For example, if you want to register a domain name like myblog, ICANN determines which extension (myblog.com, myblog.co.za) is available for use.

The organization also introduces new top-level domains such as .app and .gaming. 

Domain name registries must get approval from ICANN and follow the set guidelines when selling domains.

ICANN, therefore, prevents malice and ensures fair pricing for domain names.

In cases where two businesses are competing for a domain name, ICANN intervenes to resolve the dispute through the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP).

ICANN ensures that every claimed domain name remains undisputed.

Oversees IP Addresses

Every internet-connected device has an IP address that helps data find the correct destination.  

While ICANN does not assign IP addresses directly, it collaborates with regional internet registries to distribute IP addresses to internet service providers.

Examples of regional registries that work with ICANN are: 

• ARIN (North America)
• RIPE NCC (Europe)
• APNIC (Asia-Pacific)

Also, ICANN supports the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, which has an unlimited capacity to support trillions of IP addresses. 

Coordinates the Root Server System (DNS)

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the equivalent of the Internet’s phone book. When you look up a domain name on your browser, your phone or laptop asks the root server where to find it. 

ICANN manages the root server by maintaining the root zone files, which contain all top-level domains, and updates them as new domains are added.

Also, it enhances the stability of the root servers by ensuring efficient coordination of all root server clusters. 

ICANN also plays a crucial security role in supporting DNS security extensions, hence preventing malicious parties from redirecting websites. 

Sets Policies For Internet Identifiers

Internet identifiers include: 

• Domain names
• IP addresses
• Protocol parameters

ICANN develops policies for internet identifiers to prevent conflicts and confusion through the help of stakeholders such as businesses, technical experts, governments, and internet users. 

It also manages internet policies such as registry agreements, which ensure domain providers like Truehost South Africa follow fair practices.

Beyond policies, ICANN manages WHOIS privacy rules that determine how much domain owner information is made public. 

How Does ICANN Work?

ICANN facilitates internet balance by managing how DNS works through:

• Accrediting domain name registration companies such as Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Truehost
• Managing Top-level domains by approving new extensions 
• Collaborating with regional organizations to ensure fair distribution of IP addresses
• Bringing together stakeholders such as businesses, governments, and tech experts to set domain ownership rules and enhance internet security

Background Of ICANN

Before the creation of ICANN, the Internet was small. Jon Postel managed domain names manually. As the internet grew, the need for an organized system to manage it led to the creation of ICANN. 

ICANN – 1998

To ensure a global and multi-stakeholder approach to internet management, the US government handed over internet management to ICANN. The organization ensured equal collaboration among relevant parties, including tech experts and businesses, to manage the internet. 

Who Runs ICANN?

ICANN has a formal structure that ensures it meets its duties. The structure features: 

Board of Directors

The board includes experts from around the globe. It is responsible for making final decisions on policies. 

Supporting Organizations

The supporting organizations at ICANN include: 

• Address Supporting Organization (ASO) to oversee the distribution of IP addresses
• Generic Name Supporting Organization (GNSO) that deals with domain policies
• Country code Name Supporting Organization (ccNSO) that manages country domains

Advisory Committees

Advisory committees counsel the board on specific issues. The advisory committees include: internet users, governments, and security experts. 

How ICANN Affects You

While you might not have interacted with ICANN directly, it influences your internet experience when:

Buying a Domain

ICANN regulates your domain registrar’s domain name prices, ensuring that you get a fair deal. Additionally, it ensures that once you purchase a domain name, no one else can buy or claim it. ICANN also ensures that your domain works globally.  

Enhances Internet Security 

With ICANN, you are safe from cyberattacks. It fights domain scams by regulating fake websites. ICANN also supports DNSSEC, which helps prevent hackers from redirecting sites.

Enhancing Fairness on the Internet

ICANN has policies that allow new domain registrations without domain name owners clashing over domain ownership.

How Does ICANN Make Decisions

ICANN collaborates with stakeholders to make informed decisions. The decision-making process involves: 

Issue Identification

ICANN’s supporting organizations or advisory groups can identify issues that need policy updates. The groups can also propose solutions or policy changes to address the problems. 

Drafting Policies

With the help of supporting organizations, ICANN develops policies that address the issue.

The advisory groups can include the Generic Name Supporting Organization (GNSO), which drafts policies addressing domain name issues. 

Public Review

This is the period where ICANN welcomes input and feedback from internet users regarding the drafted policy.

Groups involved with ICANN also have the opportunity to provide input on the matter. 

Review By Advisory Committee

The various committees collaborating with ICANN verify whether the policy aligns with applicable laws and regulations.

They also check whether the proposed policy raises security concerns.

Board Decision

The board can: 

• Approve
• Reject
• Send polices back for further review

If the policy meets all the standards, the board makes a unanimous decision. 

Accountability and Transparency

Transparency

ICANN holds open meetings and maintains transparent records, including policy drafts and financial reports. Regular financial audits help minimize financial misappropriation.

It also ensures accountability through public comment periods during policy formulation, where governments, businesses, and internet users can review policies before a final decision is made.

Accountability

There are multiple stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and experts, involved in decision-making, ensuring that no single entity dominates policy-making and significant decisions. 

ICANN also participates in an independent review process in cases where it is found to have violated its rules. In addition, ICANN has an empowered community that can remove the ICANN board in cases of extreme rule violations. 

Challenges in Accountability and Transparency

While ICANN has strong measures that ensure transparency and accountability, there are areas of criticism: 

Lagging Decision Making

The involvement of multiple stakeholders can slow down decision-making for urgent issues. For example, if there is a pressing cybersecurity concern, obtaining unified decisions from all stakeholders can lead to delayed action. 

Corporate Interests

Big corporations lobby for favourable domain rules, and this can clash with the interests of other corporations. It is a challenge for ICANN to maintain a balance between different corporate interests while maintaining fairness.

Limited Public Participation

ICANN processes can be complicated for regular internet users to understand. Hence, there is a limitation in the active participation during policy reviews and decision-making. 

Is ICANN Accountable Enough?

While ICANN’s accountability system is sufficient, it has a few flaws. This is why ICANN’s system of accountability is adequate: 

• No single entity owns the internet
• Everyone can participate in policies and decisions
• Decisions are made when everyone agrees
• There are systems to follow in case ICANN violates its regulations

How can ICANN iron out some of its flaws?

• By making participation simple and accessible for anyone
• Balancing corporate interests 
• Speeding up policy decision-making while ensuring there is fairness

How to Register a Domain In Alignment With ICANN

To establish a solid online presence for a business or brand, you need a domain. ICANN accredits domain name registrars.

To register a domain under ICANN guidelines, select a domain registrar that is ICANN-approved.

For example, Truehost follows ICANN’s Guidelines by providing:

• Clear ownership records while maintaining privacy
• A globally recognized domain
• Fair prices with no hidden charges
• Protection against domain fraud and hijacking

Truehost is perfect for local and international domains. We support:

• .co.za
• .za.com
• .com
• .org
• .org.za
• .net
• .net.za
• .durban
• Among others

Quick steps to register a domain: 

1. Use a search tool to check whether a domain is available.
2. Remember, once a business registers a domain, ICANN ensures that no one else can claim it. 
3. Claim the domain and follow the registration process.
4. Connect to hosting and start building your website.

Truehost offers: 

Transparent pricing with budget renewal fee (R80 for a .co.za renewal)
Instant domain set up

Reliable local extension 

Enthusiastic 24/7 support to help anytime 

Bundle packages for instant setup 

Final Take on ICANN

ICANN is the behind-the-scenes engine that keeps the internet fair, secure, and smooth. It manages the domain, prevents cyberattacks, deliberates on internet conflicts, and makes key decisions on internet policy-making.

ICANN promotes collaboration, accountability, and transparency, ensuring that no single corporation has control over the Internet. 

Every website owner must register a domain with an ICANN-accredited registrar to have a legitimate and globally recognized online presence.