It is recommended that WHOIS, in all its aspects, should be a strategic priority for ICANN the organization. It should form the basis of staff incentivization and published organizational objectives.
To support WHOIS as a strategic priority, the ICANN board should create a committee that includes the CEO. The committee should be responsible for advancing the strategic priorities required to ensure the following:
• Implementation of this report’s recommendations;
• Fulfillment of data accuracy objectives over time;
• Follow up on relevant reports (e.g. NORC data accuracy study);
• Reporting on progress on all aspects of WHOIS (policy development, compliance, and advances in the protocol / liaison with SSAC and IETF);
• Monitoring effectiveness of senior staff performance and the extent to which ICANN Compliance function is effective in delivering WHOIS outcomes, and taking appropriate action to remedy any gaps (see Recommendation 4 for more discussion of compliance).
Advancement of the WHOIS strategic priority objectives should be a major factor in staff incentivization programs for ICANN staff participating in the committee, including the CEO. Regular (at least annual) updates on progress against targets should be given to the Community within ICANN's regular reporting channels, and should cover all aspects of WHOIS including protocol, policy development, studies and their follow up.
Executive Summary
Archived Executive Summaries
30 June 2015 - Executive Summary v1
