Page 66 - AJMAN UNIVERSITY PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/14/25, 11:31 AM Ajman University: Sole Middle East Recipient of Prestigious ICANN Grant to develop global internet security system
Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) — a vital cybersecurity protocol that safeguards
the integrity of Internet infrastructure.

The project aims to build a 24/7 operational platform that analyzes historical DNSSEC data, identifies
vulnerabilities, and highlights gaps in its global implementation. This first-of-its-kind system will offer

diagnostic tools with visual analysis, helping enhance DNSSEC adoption worldwide.

Ajman University is the only institution in the Middle East to receive this grant, and one of just 23
selected entities out of 247 global applicants. Out of 23 entities, only 3 are selected from Asia including
Ajman University. Moreover, AU is also among the only five universities worldwide to receive the award

— including three from Europe, one from Latin America, and Ajman University as the sole representative
from Asia.

This milestone reinforces Ajman University’s global standing, particularly as it enabled the University to
obtain U.S.-equivalent charitable organization status — a prerequisite for applying to this grant. This
designation aligns with AU’s identity as a non-profit academic institution and paves the way for securing

additional international funding opportunities that support its academic and community missions. Being
the only awardee from both the Middle East and the only university from the Asia highlights the
University’s ability to compete at the highest levels in fields such as cybersecurity and Internet
governance.

The grant-funded project represents a significant addition to the University’s research and technological
infrastructure. It involves the development of a passive, integrated system to collect and analyze
DNSSEC data — the first of its kind globally — and is expected to boost AU’s international visibility as
global Internet community begins using the platform. The project will also include the establishment of a
high-tech hardware lab on campus, further strengthening AU’s capacity for applied research and

innovation in digital infrastructure.

The initiative promises to create research and training opportunities for AU graduates, while providing
current students and researchers access to valuable datasets for research and development purposes
— supporting their growth in analytical and technical skills.

The project addresses a major global challenge related to the implementation of DNSSEC, a protocol
strongly advocated by global Internet bodies like ICANN and IETF for securing the DNS ecosystem. In
the adoption of DNSSEC protocol, one of the main obstacles has been the lack of visibility into global
adoption and implementation gaps. Through the newly developed system, Ajman University seeks to
bridge that gap by monitoring and analyzing DNSSEC adoption across Internet domain names

worldwide.

This project reflects Ajman University’s strong commitment to leveraging scientific research in service of
global challenges and underscores its active role in building secure and sustainable digital infrastructure
that benefits academic and technical communities both locally and globally.

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