cyber
TRENDS
As cyberthreats evolve and digital infrastructure grows more complex, organisations are being forced to rethink the role of foundational technologies such as DNS( Domain Name
System) in their security strategies.
Craig Sanderson,
Principal Cyber Security Strategist, Infoblox, explores how the latest NIST guidance signals a critical shift, highlighting why DNS must now be treated as a strategic security control rather than a background service.
NIST SP 800-81r3: A long-overdue wake-up call for DNS security
he release of the National Institute
T of Standards and Technology Special Publication( SP) 800-81 Revision 3 marks a pivotal moment for the cybersecurity and networking community.
For years, SP 800-81 has been regarded as the gold standard for DNS deployment and operational best practices. But until now, it lagged behind the rapid evolution of both the DNS protocol and the threat landscape.
That gap has finally been addressed.
Why this update matters
DNS remains one of the most critical and paradoxically overlooked services in modern IT environments. It underpins every digital interaction, yet too often operates quietly in the background, escaping the scrutiny applied to other parts of the security stack.
NIST SP 800-81r3 changes that dynamic.
This revision incorporates years of innovation in DNS technology, including:
• The rise of encrypted DNS( DoH, DoT) to protect user privacy and integrity
• Advances in DNS security controls and architectures
• Recognition of DNS as a strategic control plane, not just a utility service
Crucially, it also acknowledges the emerging role DNS will play in Artificial Intelligence-enabled
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