ISPC Trip Assessment 1

Panel Discussion: Title is "SXSW Panel: Internet Kill Switch, Who's Got the Keys?"

Where: SXSW 10:00 AM, Friday, March 10th in JW Marriott Austin, Austin, TX

Who: Christian Dawson of i2Coalition on behalf of ISPCP:
Chris Mondini, ICANN
Matthew Perault, Facebook
Shane Tews, American Enterprise Institute

Session Description:
Are you online right now? Maybe you’re on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Maybe you’re even reading messages on your watch! The seamless access to everything on the Internet is akin to the air we breathe. We don’t give it a second thought. Type in a URL and BOOM! You order a product from Nepal. From connecting doctors with patients for better health care to kick-starting the next charitable organization, the Internet can be a tool for tremendous global good. But it can also be a tool for criminal activity. Who keeps a watchful eye over the Internet globally? Is there such a thing as an INTERNET KILL SWITCH? Is the backbone of the Internet safe against attack?

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2017/events/PP62840[schedule.sxsw.com]

Attendance:
We had an estimated audience of 180-200 people. Our session was heavily publicized and well attended. All feedback after the session was positive.

Additional notes:
We gave out a hand-out of a key, with the KSK roll-over information on it. It was a hit.

Run of Show:
Chris (Moderator)
 
Opens with a teaser to the audience “Is there a kill switch for the Internet?” Paints the I Robot scene, hackers wearing black hoodies being martyrs for the greater good and shutting down society as we know it. It makes you realize how much the Internet has become intertwined in our daily lives, and it’s scary to think it could all come crashing down at the snap of a finger.
 
So, is there really an Internet kill switch? To answer this, you must understand the complexities of what makes the Internet what it is today. Conceptually, the Internet can be broken down into roughly 7 different layers, which for simplicity, today we will be grouping into 3 larger layers:

• The Infrastructure layer, like Internet cables, cards and physical aspects.
• The Connecting layer, like addressing, data transfers and routing.
• And the Application layer, like file transfers, email and social media.

The continuous operation of all three of these layers is needed to make the Internet work. At each level, there are different safeguards and securities in place to protect their respective functions. But if some person, machine or other external force were to exploit a vulnerability at any of these levels, could the Internet “shut down?”
 
Luckily today, we have three experts here to briefly explain each of these levels, and tell us once and for all if there is, “an Internet kill switch.”
 
Christian (Infrastructure layer)
• Details the role of the ISPs and other parts of the Internet’s infrastructure.
• Shows how they are connected but not structurally reliant.
 
Theme: Because of system resiliency and a ’network of networks’ model, by design, there is no Internet kill switch at this layer.
 
Shane (Connecting layer)
• What is the DNS – ICANN, matching of names and numbers, protocols
• DNS securities – including DNSSEC, KSK roll
• Details.
 
Theme: Because of good governance there is no Internet kill switch at this layer.
 
Matt (Application layer)
• Talks about content level shut offs, but how they are localized.
 
Theme: Because of quality design there is no Internet kill switch at this layer.

Moderator:
So just to be clear, each of you is saying that today, there is no Internet kill switch? (All three agree). So, then what about the future? The Internet is constantly evolving and changing – with the Internet of Things, hacking threats and DDoS attacks, what are we doing to keep them protected?
 
Christian:
• This is an ongoing conversation amongst the biggest thought leaders in the industry.
• There’s a reason why cybersecurity etc. are on the agendas of every tech conference. Keeping your systems updated, keeping your information safe online, etc.
• Details.
 
Shane & Christian:
• Internet governance is an ongoing conversation that is taking place right now across the world’s private sector.
• ICANN multistakeholder system, many opportunities to get involved depending on your interests (SSAC/RSSAC for technical, GNSO/BC/etc. for businesses, U.S. represented in GAC, etc.)
• Specific pitch for joining the ISPCP, for all the ISPs we have done preliminary outreach to.
 
Chris:
• Add any additional details about getting involved in ICANN.
• Close conversation and open for Q&A (15 minutes)

The ISPCP wanted 2-3 new members. We are tracking the 5 strong leads we got for the ISPCP at the show, and I have full confidence that we will sign up at least that.