As we’re halfway through 2025, it’s a good time to reflect on the key developments affecting domains and digital assets this year. From updates to digital certificate policies to the ongoing expansion of the top-level domain (TLD) space, here’s a recap of the most important industry shifts we’ve covered so far on our blog—plus what they mean for your brand.
Digital certificates: Shorter lifespans are official
Policies around digital certificates are changing fast. As we reported in “It’s Official: 47-day Digital Certificates Will Be the Norm By 2029,” industry leaders are accelerating the move toward much shorter certificate lifespans. This means enterprises will need to rethink how they manage and renew certificates to avoid disruptions.
To help companies stay ahead of these changes, we explored automation options in “CSC’s DCVaaS—Future-Proofing SSL/TLS Digital Certificate Management,” and addressed current validation challenges in “Still Using WHOIS for SSL Validation? Do These 3 Things Now,” which outlines next steps for organizations still relying on outdated validation methods.
Why it matters: Certificate life cycle management is becoming more complex. Enterprises must modernize validation processes and adopt better workflows to maintain uptime and security.
New gTLDs: Round 2 is taking shape
The long-anticipated next round of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN’s) New generic top-level domain (gTLD) Program is finally moving forward. After years of planning and delays, the draft version of the Applicant Guidebook was released this year, bringing clarity to the application process.
Our blog series breaks down what brand owners need to know:
- “ICANN’s New gTLD Program: Round 2—Time to Tune In” provides a high-level overview and what’s at stake.
- “Understanding ICANN’s Draft Applicant Guidebook: What’s New for Round 2?” offers an overview of the key updates and policy changes proposed for the next application round.
- “Next Steps for Prospective Dot Brand Applicants” outlines a practical timeline and key considerations for businesses looking to secure a .BRAND.
Why it matters: Round 2 may be the last major opportunity in this decade for brands to secure their own TLD. Early preparation will be a competitive advantage.
.XXX becomes an open TLD: Increased risk of abuse
Another development in early 2025 was the transition of .XXX to an open TLD—a major shift from its previous restrictions. As we explored in “.XXX Becomes an Open TLD—What Does It Mean for You?” this change raises brand abuse concerns.
Brand owners must monitor this space closely and consider proactive defensives, including domain blocks or registrations, to protect their reputation.
Why it matters: The shift makes .XXX more susceptible to brand abuse. Brands that ignore it may face reputation harm from malicious registrations.
Looking ahead
These mid-year changes underscore how quickly the internet infrastructure and domain landscape can evolve. From compliance obligations to brand safety strategies, staying informed is more important than ever. If you haven’t already, subscribe to receive ongoing updates as we cover the rest of 2025—and what’s next on the horizon.
Contact us or speak with your CSC strategic account manager to learn more about how we can help you navigate these industry shifts.