https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/the-internet-runs-on-free-and-open-source-softwareand-so-does-the-dns-23-10-2025-en

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The Internet Runs on Free and Open Source Software--And So Does the
DNS

23 October 2025
By Ram Mohan
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Free and open-source software (FOSS) is not merely common on the
Internet; it is a deeply embedded and essential foundation of the
Domain Name System (DNS), the backbone of how we connect online.

The ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) is pleased
to announce the publication of SAC132: The Domain Name System Runs on
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

Why This Matters Now

As governments around the world explore new cybersecurity
regulations, the ubiquity of FOSS in DNS operations--from domain
registration to retrieval--means that policy decisions made today will
have direct implications for the Internet's security and resilience
tomorrow. SAC132 provides timely, nontechnical guidance to ensure
that new policy and regulation serve to strengthen, rather than
inadvertently weaken, this critical infrastructure.

Key Insights for Policymakers

SAC132 is a foundational guide designed to empower policymakers to
strategically manage and sustain the FOSS ecosystem. The report
provides:

  * Clear Foundations - An accessible overview of the DNS and the
    FOSS development model for nontechnical audiences.
  * Policy Assessment - Analysis of cybersecurity regulations in the
    United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, with a focus
    on how they account for FOSS in the DNS ecosystem.
  * Practical Guidance - Concrete findings and recommendations to
    help policymakers support and secure FOSS as a cornerstone of
    global connectivity.

We invite all policymakers, technical experts, and stakeholders to
read the full report.

A Call to Engage

By publishing SAC132, SSAC seeks to raise awareness of the
indispensable role of FOSS in maintaining a secure, stable, and
resilient Internet. We invite policymakers, technical experts, and
all stakeholders to read the full report and join us in conversations
about its findings.

You can engage with SSAC and the broader community at ICANN84,
whether in Dublin or by participating remotely. Together, we can
ensure that the FOSS ecosystem--and the Internet it supports--remains
strong, sustainable, and open for all.

Finally, we thank all SSAC members and invited experts who
contributed to this work, especially co-chairs Maarten Aertsen and
Barry Leiba, for their leadership.

Authors

Ram Mohan

Chair, Security and Stability Advisory Committee

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