The Top-Level Domain (TLD) refers to the last segment of a domain name, or the part which follows immediately after the “dot” symbol. For example, in www.example.com, “.com” is the TLD. TLDs are mainly classified into two categories: generic TLDs (gTLD) and country-specific TLDs (ccTLD). An example of gTLD is .com (commercial), and an example of ccTLD is .uk (for United Kingdom).
The specific TLD “.protection” is classified as a gTLD and has been delegated under the New gTLD Program of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The organization responsible for the operation and management of the .protection TLD is XYZ.COM LLC.
The “.protection” TLD was delegated to this registry operator as part of ICANN’s New gTLD Program. This program was developed to increase competition and choice in the domain name space. Under this program, the introduction of new TLDs aims to provide Internet users with opportunities to create, market, and access new services and information in new ways.
The “.protection” TLD is intended for use by businesses, organizations, or individuals who offer services or products related to safeguarding and security. The TLD can be used to provide an identifiable means of communicating to the public the service being offered. For example, a cybersecurity firm might use a .protection domain to distinguish its services in the crowded online security market. Similarly, an insurance company could use a .protection domain to highlight its offerings in protecting customers’ financial wellness.
Before the registration of “.protection” TLD, the potential registry operator had to go through a rigorous evaluation process by ICANN. This process includes reviews for financial capability, technical capability, and past performance. If the applicant passes all the evaluation components, the new gTLD is then added to the root zone of the Domain Name System (DNS).
Official sources used for the construction of this answer include ICANN’s website and the official page of the registry operator, XYZ.COM LLC. Because these are responsible for the global coordination of the DNS, they are the most authoritative sources of information about the .protection gTLD. They provide comprehensive information about all the gTLDs including the operation, delegation and registration procedures.
In conclusion, the “.protection” is a gTLD delegated by ICANN to XYZ.COM LLC for businesses, organizations, or individuals who offer services or products related to safeguarding and security. This information is provided by ICANN and the registry operator, and the registration of the TLD followed an intense evaluation process.
Sources:
1. ICANN’s New gTLD Program
2. Official page of XYZ.COM LLC, the .protection registry operator
3. Procedural documentation of Domain Name System (DNS) and TLD evaluation from ICANN and IANA
