The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has been working recently to update its administrative arrangements to match the changing requirements it faces as the premiere Internet standards organization.
It has been more than a decade since the IETF became an organized activity of the Internet Society. Given the changes in the world and the Internet in the intervening time, it is natural to reconsider how to most effectively organize and implement its administrative structure. The Internet Society Board of Trustees supports the IETF in this work, and has set aside funding for this purpose. Internet Society staff are prepared to help implement the changes required.
Aspects of the mutual relationship between the Internet Society and the IETF, such as the role of the Internet Society in the standards appeal process, the confirmation of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) members by the Internet Society’s Board of Trustees, and four members of the Internet Society’s Board of Trustees being appointed by the IAB on the IETF’s behalf, are not subject to change.
Both the Internet Society and IETF will benefit from an updated administrative structure for the IETF that continues to provide a solid foundation for the development of open standards for the global Internet.