Investigating the Impact of DNS Centralization and Regional Discrepancies on the Security, Stability, Performance, and Resilience of DNS-dependent Applications

Abstract

The research project “Investigating the Impact of DNS Centralization and Regional Discrepancies on the Security, Stability, Performance, and Resilience of DNS-dependent Applications” aims to examine how various forms of DNS centralization and regional differences affect applications and services that depend on DNS. We quantitatively assess the costs, risks, and challenges posed of modern DNS deployments on applications, and identify approaches to improve the resilience and performance of DNS globally, breaking away from the traditional focus on DNS security and performance in well-developed countries and for well-connected endpoints. It contributes to a broader understanding grounded in empirical data of how the increasing DNS centralization and regional discrepancies impact DNS-dependent applications, which will help mitigate risks and foster a more resilient and inclusive DNS ecosystem.