To the outsider, the internet-related issues that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is addressing can seem intimidating. But individuals, micro or small businesses, among others, are part of the end-user constituency and are critical players in ICANN’s policy development process.

In our latest conversation with Albert Daniels, the Senior Manager for Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean, we discuss some of the latest developments in the ICANN Space. Some of the areas covered include: what exactly is ICANN and why it is important; the Registration Data Request Service and the implications for law enforcement; the new generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program; and how Caribbean countries could benefit from this and other upcoming initiatives.

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music!!

The internet has become indispensable to everyday life. When it works well, it fades into the background and allows us to access information and resources we otherwise could not do and to be more efficient and effective when engaging in a broad range of work and personal activities. However, when the internet is not working – and I am looking at you, Flow(!) – the delicate equilibrium of our lives tends to come crashing down. Everything becomes considerably more difficult, and frustrations are high.

It can thus seem ironic that although the internet has become a crucial resource in our lives, we do not seem to be paying much attention to ongoing and emerging internet-related issues that could have an impact on how we use it. Further, many internet-related forums have adopted a multi-stakeholder approach in which internet end users can participate in the policy development process, effectively shaping how the internet evolves.

In this podcast episode, we revisit one such organisation, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and discuss some of its current areas of focus and important programmes that are coming down the pipe.

 

Introducing our guest

Albert Daniels

Albert Daniels joined ICANN in 2013. He is located in Saint Lucia and is a member of ICANN’s Global Stakeholder Engagement team for Latin America and the Caribbean. As the ICANN Senior Manager for Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean, Albert leads engagement in 32 Caribbean Territories and also leads specialised projects in the ICANN Latin American and Caribbean Regional Strategy. Albert’s responsibilities include developing and executing the organisation’s strategic and tactical objectives in the Caribbean region.

Prior to working at ICANN, Albert served as an Information Systems and Information Security Auditor and ICT Consultant at Creative Technology Solutions Limited (CTSL). He also held the position of Regional IT Manager at KPMG Eastern Caribbean, and Accounts Supervisor/IT Trainer/Group IT Director at the CHL Group in Saint Lucia. Albert served on several national Boards in Saint Lucia, and has broad internet and technology-related experience, having personally introduced the Internet to Saint Lucia in 1993. He has attended many ICANN meetings; and has been involved in the ICANN Fellowship program as one of the first fellows in 2007 and also as a fellowship mentor. Albert holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Technology and also specialises in Project Management at the University of Cambridge; he also holds several professional and industry certifications. Albert is fluent in English and conversant in Spanish, French, Norwegian and French Creole.

 

Insights into our conversation

An important takeaway from this conversation with Albert is the fact that there is never a dull moment in Internet Governance (IG). The internet is constantly evolving, and to some degree, we, the end users, are driving some of the changes that have been occurring.

Further, and in the Caribbean context, the limited collaboration and forging of relationships by our countries in other areas appears to also be evident in the IG space. For example, the Registration Data Request Service is a new facility ICANN is piloting to support law enforcement agencies worldwide, which, according to Albert, has had limited traction in the region. It thus suggests that when a cybercrime has been committed, or a network breach has occurred, Caribbean law enforcement may not be aware of resources they could access and the procedures to be followed to secure information that could further their investigations.

Below are key topics discussed during this interview.

  1. What ICANN is and why it is important.
  2. The Registration Data Request Service, which is currently being piloted by ICANN.
  3. A Domain Name System Observatory for the Caribbean region.
  4. The avenues available that could help more stakeholders participate in ICANN events and activities and participate more regularly.
  5. The New generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program, which is being launched this month, November 2024. 
  6. The Next Round Applicant Support Program
  7. How the Caribbean countries (or the region as a whole) could benefit from the new gTLD Program
  8. New upcoming events or activities people should have on their radar.

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:

 

Images credit:  ICANN;  rawpixel.com (Freepik); Freepik; TheDigitalArtist (Pixabay)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell