Strengthening Root DNSSEC: ICANN Appoints Eight New Trusted Community Representatives

On 18 November 2025, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced the appointment of eight new Trusted Community Representatives (TCRs). These volunteers will support transparency and resilience within the Domain Name System by participating in processes tied to the DNS Root Zone Key Signing Key, the central trust anchor for DNSSEC. Their work reinforces the security of the system that ensures the authenticity of DNS data across the Internet.

A Diverse Global Taskforce

The newly appointed TCRs come from four continents, emphasising ICANN’s focus on global inclusion and technical diversity. The selected representatives are Tim April, Nabil Benamar, Lodrina Cherne, Kenny Huang, Ryan Hurst, Matt Pounsett, Nathalie Trenaman and Alison Wood. Each individual is recognised within their regional technical communities and brings skills critical to safeguarding one of the Internet’s core security functions. Their participation strengthens ICANN’s multistakeholder oversight model.

The Role of Trusted Community Representatives

TCRs are independent volunteers who take part in key cryptographic ceremonies associated with DNSSEC and the root zone. These ceremonies include key-generation and signing operations that uphold the cryptographic integrity of the root zone. Because TCRs come from different regions and organisations, their involvement increases transparency, reduces reliance on any single point of control and contributes to the resilience of global DNS operations.

Rigorous Selection and Oversight

The selection process for TCRs involves multiple evaluation stages to ensure that candidates meet the technical and community-representation requirements. Applicants are assessed according to a defined set of criteria, including security awareness, operational experience and familiarity with DNSSEC processes. Candidates must also maintain independence, as certain roles within ICANN or its partner organisations disqualify individuals from serving as TCRs. This separation protects the objectivity of the trust model.

Why This Matters for the Internet

Appointing new TCRs is a fundamental step toward maintaining secure and transparent Internet operations. The root zone’s cryptographic key is central to DNSSEC, which protects users from tampered or spoofed DNS data. By expanding the group of trusted, globally distributed volunteers who participate in key ceremonies, ICANN strengthens the reliability and durability of critical Internet infrastructure.