[Ssr2-review] Item 68: L Root Question

Steve Conte steve.conte at icann.org
Tue Jul 11 19:22:27 UTC 2017


Greetings all,

In response to the question on open item 68: 
"What measures are undertaken by ICANN for the anycast deployment for L-Root to ensure physical and network security and stability."

Please see the response below:

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

SSR measures undertaken by ICANN for the anycast deployment of the root server operated y ICANN can be considered on two axis, Structured activities, and technical considerations.

The ICANN DNS Engineering department undertakes two structured activities directed at operational security matters, they are:

	- ICANN DNS Engineering engages in an annual table-top exercise with other root server operators to test its global operational readiness to security or attack events.
	- ICANN DNS Engineering have commenced an annual security review where a 3rd party security firm is contracted to perform a range of penetration tests targeting all facets of L-Root operations.


Technical considerations cover actions applied to all ICANN root server anycast instances. 

All L-Root instances have access control lists applied to the interfaces in a stateless mode that:
	- only permits access from the greater internet to the public service addresses for the necessary ports on the expected protocols (eg 2001:500:9f::42, port 53, TCP and UDP)
	- restrict all traffic to/from the management interfaces to ICANN management networks

Additionally, all L-Root instances: 
	- follow a plan and process to update all hardware before it reaches 5 years of age
	- follow a policy that all hardware is under either a 3 year or 5 year, next business day, support contract from the hardware vendor (when supported by the vendor in the particular country where the instance is located)
	- have internal and external monitoring of the L-Root service AS number
	- have internal and external monitoring of the L-Root service on all necessary protocols and service addresses
	- are monitored for access activity, network uptime and performance, and system uptime and performance
	- implement the appropriate recommendations from BCP38 and RFC7454.

Given ICANN anycast deployments come in two forms.
       1) Anycast instances operated by ICANN and hosted by contracted parties.
       2) Anycast instances operated and hosted by ICANN

SSR measures for these two deployment forms differ slightly

1. Anycast instances operated by ICANN and hosted by contracted parties.

For all L-Root instances hosted by contracted parties the following conditions are placed on the host, by contract.

	- provide connectivity for network traffic for the DNS service interface in such a way to achieve high availability;
	- provide connectivity for network traffic for the remote management interface in such a way to achieve high availability;
	- provide physical security with no history of breaches within the last 12 months, which may be monitored and adjusted by ICANN from time to time;
	- provide suitable power and cooling, which may be monitored and adjusted by ICANN
	- ensure access to the Equipment to is restricted to no other individuals than an ICANN representative or an authorised employee of the contracted organisation
	- ensure the contracted organisation access the Equipment only as directed by ICANN
	- notify ICANN should any security, power or cooling arrangements be changed



2. Anycast instances both operated and hosted by ICANN

These anycast instances are maintained in ICANN controlled cages in data-centers that have been inspected by ICANN Staff and meet the following access security and infrastructure requirements:
	- require photographic government issued ID for access
	- premises are manned by security personnel 24x7
	- pre-authorisation is required for access
	- key or pin-code access into ICANN caged areas
	- 24x7 monitoring and recording of access
	- equipment entering or leaving the facility is vetted and checked with ICANN staff
	- full UPS power on all circuits
	- power supply redundancy including on-site generators.
	- robust and redundant heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems

Network connectivity at these anycast locations is via multiple redundant upstream connections and the providers of these services are contracted directly to ICANN, and as such changes can only be implemented by authorised ICANN staff.



-----
Steve Conte
steve.conte at icann.org






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