Steve Forbes
Nominet
With more than a decade specializing in network and security solutions, Steve has a wealth of experience in understanding what’s required to build security defenses. In his current position Steve is responsible for building on Nominet’s heritage in running and protecting critical infrastructure, using its expertise in DNS to design solutions specifically for securing governments around the world. This includes protection against malware-based threats such as viruses, worms, spyware and ransomware.
Steve is also involved in Nominet’s delivery of the Protective Domain Name Service (PDNS) on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for the UK Government. The PDNS was built to hamper the use of DNS for malware distribution and operation. Last year it protected an estimated 1.4 million employees across the UK public sector.
PDNS blocked 57.4 million queries for 117,527 unique reasons. 28 million of the queries blocked were for Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs), 13,800 queries were blocked for at least 20 named botnet command and control systems. A number of exploit kit related indicators were also blocked, including 796,000 queries for 16 unique indicators of exploit kits. 450,000 WannaCry related queries and 230,000 queries related to the BadRabbit ransomware were blocked.
Nominet is driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For over 25 years, Nominet has run the .UK internet infrastructure, developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins its security solutions that are used by governments to mitigate cyber threats. Nominet’s public benefit program aims to improve the lives of one million people, providing support and opportunities to tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people today. In February 2020, Nominet acquired Boston based cyber security company CyGlass.
Steve is also involved in Nominet’s delivery of the Protective Domain Name Service (PDNS) on behalf of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for the UK Government. The PDNS was built to hamper the use of DNS for malware distribution and operation. Last year it protected an estimated 1.4 million employees across the UK public sector.
PDNS blocked 57.4 million queries for 117,527 unique reasons. 28 million of the queries blocked were for Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs), 13,800 queries were blocked for at least 20 named botnet command and control systems. A number of exploit kit related indicators were also blocked, including 796,000 queries for 16 unique indicators of exploit kits. 450,000 WannaCry related queries and 230,000 queries related to the BadRabbit ransomware were blocked.
Nominet is driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For over 25 years, Nominet has run the .UK internet infrastructure, developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins its security solutions that are used by governments to mitigate cyber threats. Nominet’s public benefit program aims to improve the lives of one million people, providing support and opportunities to tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people today. In February 2020, Nominet acquired Boston based cyber security company CyGlass.