Corporate Domains

Domain Security Checklist

Essential Considerations for Securing Your Domain Portfolio

In today’s evolving digital landscape, where domain assets are integral to brand identity and operations, a proactive and comprehensive approach is more crucial than ever. Use these actionable steps to identify critical areas, implement robust defenses, and proactively protect your digital assets from potential security risks and consequences.

1. Strategic Planning & Team Structure

  • Establish a Domain Council: Form a cross-functional team (consider IT, InfoSec, Legal, Marketing, Accounts Payable, Web Operations, DNS) to oversee domain management, ensuring multiple eyes and diverse perspectives on your portfolio.
  • Define your Top Domains: Identify and prioritize your most critical “Tier 1” domains, such as those used for websites, email, name servers, VPNs, or primary revenue generation.
  • Consolidate Your Portfolio: Aim to centralize all domain registrations and DNS management with a single provider where possible, to simplify oversight and reduce confusion.
  • Document Escalation Protocols: Create clear, written processes detailing who to contact and what steps to take when issues arise.

2. Account & Access Security

  • Implement Single Sign-On (SSO): Utilize SSO to centralize user authentication and efficiently manage/terminate access when needed.
  • Assign Role-Based Permissions: Grant specific access levels (e.g., read-only, full DNS admin) within your domain management platform based on their job roles and responsibilities.
  • Conduct Regular Access Audits: Annually review user permissions within your domain accounts to ensure that only the correct individuals have appropriate access.
  • Apply Registry Lock: Enable registry lock on all priority domains to prevent unauthorized transfers or critical changes.

3. DNS & Email Integrity

  • Implement DMARC Policies: Establish DMARC policies to define how incoming mail is handled, protecting against email spoofing.
  • Configure SPF Records: Specify which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domains using SPF records.
  • Set Up Null MX Records: For domains that should not receive email, configure a Null MX record to prevent unnecessary mail attempts and potential vulnerabilities.
  • Remove Outdated DNS Records: Regularly audit and clean up DNS records to eliminate potential security vulnerabilities.

Web Security & Certificates

  • Prepare for SSL Validity Changes: Understand and plan for the shortening of SSL certificate validity periods (e.g., potentially 47 days by 2029).
  • Explore SSL Automation: Implement auto-validated solutions for efficient SSL management and renewals, especially for large portfolios.
  • Utilize HTTPS Redirects: Implement HTTPS forwarding for all owned relevant domains (misspellings, old brands) to ensure a secure user experience.

Proactive Brand Protection & Monitoring

  • Educate Teams on Threats: Conduct training on how to identify phishing attempts and “confusable characters” (e.g., ‘0’ instead of ‘O’, ‘I’ instead of ‘L’) in domain names.
  • Strategize Defensive Registrations: Thoughtfully secure TLDs in all countries where you do business and consider registering automated restricted TLDs prone to fraud.
  • Leverage Domain Blocking: Explore GlobalBlock or other domain blocking tools to proactively prevent the registration of your trademarked terms across numerous TLDs and variants.
  • Monitor for Infringements: Establish a process for proactively monitoring for third-party domain registrations that could infringe on your brand or be used for malicious purposes.
  • Consider AI’s Impact: Be aware that AI models can scrape content from look-alike domains, potentially spreading misinformation.

Additional Recommendations

  • Conduct Portfolio Audits: Regularly audit your domain portfolio to identify critical domains and those that can be safely retired (e.g., old years, non-trademarked domains).
  • Utilize Security Reporting: Request and review domain security “report cards” from your provider to establish a baseline and track improvements over time.
  • Leverage Platform Analytics: Utilize filtering capabilities in your domain management platform (e.g., by DMARC, SPF, or live content status) to pinpoint areas for security enhancement.