Photo: “Even as government operations pause, our work to advance an open, secure, and resilient Internet continues,” said Christian Dawson, Executive Director of the i2Coalition.
The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition), an advocacy group representing the companies that build and maintain the backbone of the Internet, convened this week in Washington, D.C., at a moment of unusual uncertainty in U.S. federal operations.
Despite a partial government shutdown that has disrupted normal policy activity, the coalition pressed ahead with discussions on key digital issues, reaffirming the central role of private-sector infrastructure providers in sustaining an open and secure online ecosystem.
At the center of this week’s meetings was the launch of the Secure Hosting Alliance (SHA) Trust Seal, a new certification designed to give hosting providers worldwide a visible, verifiable mark of accountability. The SHA Trust Seal aims to recognize companies that meet rigorous standards for transparency, resilience, and responsible operations – qualities increasingly demanded in an era marked by growing scrutiny over data security and online trust.
Christian Dawson, Executive Director of the i2Coalition, described the gathering as an affirmation of the industry’s commitment to continuity and collaboration even in times of political or institutional disruption. “Our members are the unsung heroes of the Internet,” said Mr. Dawson. “Even as government operations pause, our work to advance an open, secure, and resilient Internet continues. Through conversations, collaboration, and the launch of the SHA Trust Seal, we’re showing that the Internet infrastructure community can lead with transparency, accountability, and trust, no matter the circumstances.”
Standard for Trusted Hosting
The SHA Trust Seal framework is built around four operational pillars: the publication of transparent company policies; rapid response to abuse or misuse; the maintenance of reliable, resilient technical infrastructure; and the use of lawful, documented procedures for handling government data requests. Together, these criteria are intended to establish a baseline for ethical and secure hosting practices across a diverse global industry.
David Snead, Director of the Secure Hosting Alliance and Co-Founder of the i2Coalition, emphasized that the certification represents more than a symbolic commitment. “This certification fills a critical gap in Internet trust,” said Mr. Snead. “The SHA Trust Seal provides a clear, actionable way to strengthen confidence. It demonstrates that responsible hosting is not only achievable, but already being led by providers who are committed to building a more secure, open, and trustworthy Internet.”
The Washington gathering will conclude with the Internet Leadership Awards Ceremony, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to defending and developing the open Internet. Among this year’s honorees are Mike Masnick, founder of Techdirt, receiving the Internet Infrastructure Protection Award; Becky Burr, a noted privacy and e-commerce advocate, honored with the Internet Community Leadership Award; Jesse Friedman, Head of WP Cloud at Automattic, receiving the i2Coalition Impact Award; James Webb, COO of BigScoots, earning the Internet Entrepreneur Award; and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), who will remotely accept the Champion of the Internet Award.
Founded to represent web hosts, data centers, cloud infrastructure providers, domain registrars, registries, and managed service firms, the i2Coalition serves as the collective voice of the Internet’s underlying architecture. Its mission centers on promoting policies that keep the global network open, secure, and resilient – ensuring that innovation, economic opportunity, and digital trust can continue to thrive, regardless of the state of government affairs.
