Historical Resolution Tracking Feature » SSR2 Additional Funding

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SSR2 Additional Funding


Resolution of the ICANN Board
Meeting Date: 
Thu, 7 Nov 2019
Resolution Number: 
2019.11.07.14
Resolution Text: 

Whereas, the work of the second Security, Stability, and Resiliency Review (SSR2) has encountered delays.

Whereas, the funds originally budgeted to support SSR2 are insufficient to complete the work plan as prepared by the SSR2 review team.

Whereas, the Board is fully committed to ensuring that all Bylaws-mandated reviews, including SSR2, are carried out appropriately and completely.

Whereas, the Board desires to emphasize, as per its duty of care, that ICANN's resources need to be utilized with fiscal prudence and responsibility and requests the SSR2 team to work diligently according to its revised work plan and timeline so that the additional resources requested are sufficient to complete its work.

Whereas, the Board Finance Committee has confirmed the affordability of the additional funding suggested necessary to complete SSR2 and has recommended that the Board approve the additional funding.

Resolved (2019.11.07.14), the Board approves US$250,000 in additional funding for SSR2 and directs the President and CEO, or his designee(s), to provide the corresponding support necessary to complete the work of the SSR2.

Rationale for Resolution: 

The performance and completion of the specific reviews defined in Article 4, Section 4.6 of the ICANN Bylaws is supported by ICANN org through the support of the review teams work from the inception of the review to Board action on the recommendations submitted by the review teams.

The second Security, Stability, and Resiliency Review (SSR2) review team started its work in September 2017 and has consumed the original amount of funds budgeted for its work. As the work plan established by the review team requires more work and time, more expenses are expected and additional funding is required.

The funding of reviews is included in ICANN's annual operating plan and budget as a matter of course, with standard amounts allocated on the basis of historical experience of supporting other reviews. The annual operating plan and budget is subject to consultation and public comment prior to Board adoption, and the Empowered Community has an opportunity to exercise its rejection power prior to the annual operating plan and budget coming into effect.

Additional funding of SSR2, beyond the original amount approved through the annual operating plan and budget process, was requested by the SSR2 review team and submitted for Board approval on the Board Finance Committee's (BFC) recommendation. The Board also notes that the Board Caucus for SSR2 also met with the BFC and is in support of the BFC's recommendation. The Board agrees.

This decision is in the public interest in that it allows for the completion of a Bylaws-mandated activity, the purpose of which is to contribute to ICANN's ability to fulfill its mission to maintain the security, stability and resiliency of the Internet's unique identifier systems. This action is expected to have a fiscal impact, and a positive impact on the security, stability and resiliency of the domain name system.

This is an Organizational Administrative Function that does not require public comment.