Safeguarding customer data – Go Daddy follows new ICANN regulations

The Go Daddy Group network of domain registrars are the first to back up all of their customer information with an outside data storage firm under new regulations set forth by The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The Registrar Data Escrow (RDE) program is an ICANN initiative designed to protect consumers from losing control of their domain names should a registrar lose its accreditation or go defunct.

The company has of course always backed up its data – including the registrant and other contact information – through a multi-pronged program that also protects registrants’ privacy. Escrowing the data with ICANN, per the new regulations, provides an additional layer of security, while also setting a good example for the registrar community.

Go Daddy’s registrars are partnering with information protection and storage firm Iron Mountain, also the ICANN designated Registrar Data Escrow Agent, on the project. The new initiative requires all registrars to deposit a copy of their registration databases each week, with high-volume registrars depositing incremental updates daily.