Internet in Sweden - is it robust? - PTS-ER-2003:1
20/02/2003
The National Post and Telecom Agency (PTS) has been given the assignment by the Government of
- conducting trial operations, in collaboration with telecom and internet operators, to investigate whether the Internet can function independently of functions abroad
- monitoring the development and operation of the Internet field.
Practical trials relating to important parts of the domain name system and exchange point for Internet traffic that are important for Sweden have been conducted. The monitoring of the development and operation of the Internet has taken place through interviews with operators and important users.
The report also deals with the policy deliberations over recent years regarding the robustness of the Internet and also the situation relating to responsibility for important functions within the domain name system.
Result of trials and monitoring
The Internet in Sweden cannot, from a user perspective, function for more than a limited period without access to important parts of the domain name system that are located or controlled abroad. There are no simple technical measures to achieve independence.
As regards the situation relating to responsibility for the provision of services in the domain name system and the opportunity to impose requirements on service guarantees, PTS has concluded that the service is provided by a large number of collaborating organisations at global level, which requires international cooperation. PTS has found that there is a need for a coordinated Swedish strategy within the field.
The result of the monitoring demonstrates that the functions of the Internet and related applications are very important, if not critical for society. The most important applications comprise e-mail and the Webb.
PTS’s future work
PTS proposes that PTS conducts a risk analysis regarding the .se-zone together with the II Foundation/NIC-SE and security experts with experience within the field.
The II Foundation has declared that it is willing to continuously report on the operational situation for .se to PTS. PTS intends to initiate collaboration with the II Foundation to determine the content and the forms for such reporting.
PTS intends to inform Internet users with the aim of improving their knowledge about DNS and how they can protect themselves against disturbances to the service and against targeted attacks.
PTS proposes that the Government gives PTS the assignment for the operational year 2004 of investigating how the resilience of the Internet could be enhanced against hostile operations that aim to manipulate information processed by important Internet functions, such as the domain name system, routing and communication of exact time.
PTS has established the need for a Swedish strategy to handle a situation where severe strains are put on the Domain Name System. This strategy should be elaborated in cooperation with concerned authorities and organizations. PTS is prepared to initiate and lead this cooperation.