NIST SP 800-81r3: A Long-Overdue Wake-Up Call for DNS Security

NIST SP 800-81 Revision 3 reframes DNS as a mission-critical security and resilience control, emphasizing encrypted DNS, DNSSEC, Protective DNS, and architecture/operational best practices; the update also highlights regulatory alignment (e.g., NIS2) and the growing role of DNS in AI-enabled environments. The article advocates for holistic DNS security, warns against superficial “tick-box” approaches, and positions Infoblox as a partner for assessments, workshops, and operationalizing Protective DNS at scale.