ICANN have requested information from prospective contractors and other interested parties who can assist them and its High Security Top-Level Domain (HSTLD) Advisory Group in assessing and shaping a new programme aimed at increasing security and trust for top-level domain registry operators who choose to participate. “This is an opportunity for interested stakeholders to have a voice in the formation of a program that will provide an additional layer of trust in the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS),” said Craig Schwartz, Chief gTLD Registry Liaison. “Eventually this programme could allow interested top-level domain registries to obtain an HSTLD designation, which will mean that a third party evaluator has verified that its business and technical operations have met certain security criteria.” The HSTLD programme will be available to any top-level domain registry operator who wishes to participate

ICANN will be holding a third consultation on the new gTLD registry agreement issues at 18:30 UTC on 8 September. On the ICANN Blog, Craig Schwartz writes that “ICANN has consulted with an open drafting consultation group on several issues relating to implementation of the new gTLD program. Earlier this year the “Temporary Drafting Group” group met twice to discuss the Trademark Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Process and the process for future amendments to the registry agreement for new gTLDs

On 26-27 August 2010, ICANN and its gTLD registration services providers will meet in Tokyo, Japan, writes Craig Schwartz on the ICANN Blog.