Both of the two DENIC developments offer true innovation and real benefit for the domain industry, and also provide potential competitive advantage. Thus, they fulfil the conditions of the award category "Domains" in multiple ways. In each of eco's seven categories, three ideas have made it to the last round. The winner will be announced on 28 November.
Data Escrow Services by DENIC: The European Solution
DENIC has successfully passed the accreditation process for escrow providers of the US-American supervisory authority ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). This means, DENIC is authorised to provide data escrow services for ICANN-accredited registrars and registry operators of new generic Top Level Domains (ngTLDs). In addition to that, DENIC is a Designated Escrow Agent for registrars. This means that registrars can use DENIC's escrow services free of charge.
What is so special about DENIC's escrow solution? By choosing DENIC as their escrow provider, customers are enabled to comply with their escrow obligations under European law. It is in particular the combination of computer centers located in Europe as the only place for storing the data and the freedom to choose the place of jurisdiction and arbitration within Europe that is the unique distinguishing characteristic of Data Escrow Services by DENIC.
The described escrow obligation is based on requirements imposed by ICANN: The Internet Corporation requests all registrars and registries it has accredited to regularly store the data sets of the domains managed by them with an independent escrow provider. In the event that a registrar or registry should no longer be able to provide its domain services, ICANN can appoint a party who will then continue business operations on the basis of the stored data.
ID4me: Self-Determined Identity Management on the Internet
With ID4me also being nominated in the "Domains" category, DENIC is involved in a second potential award-winning development. ID4me gives Internet users full control over their digital identity and enables them to regulate the use and distribution of their personal data. Unlike other single sign-on solutions, ID4me uses only open standards and technologies and is based on domains.
DENIC eG is one of the originators of ID4me and has made an initial contribution to the technical development of the application. The advancement and propagation of the Internet identity application is the responsibility of a non-profit organisation that was founded for this particular purpose: the ID4me AISBL. To learn more about ID4me, go to https://id4me.or.
On 28 November, the expert juries composed of scientists, experts of the industry and trade journalists will announce the award winners. In addition to the six main categories ISP/Interconnection, Datacenter Infrastructure, Hosting, Security, Cloud and Domains, there will be an additional special award this year for Innovation/Digital Business Model.
The renowned award has been granted since 1999. Ever since, the Association of the Internet Industry eco has honoured innovative and forward-looking businesses and projects every year. For further information about the 2018 award, please go to https://international.eco.de/eco-award-2018/award-2018/.