WHY?
In the context of information security, DNS (Domain Name System) fits into several categories:
Network Security: DNS is fundamental to the functioning of the internet and local networks. It translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, which are used by computers to locate and communicate with each other. Protecting DNS involves ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of these translations, which is crucial for the overall security of network communications.
Infrastructure Security: DNS is a critical part of internet infrastructure. Securing DNS servers and the DNS infrastructure is essential to prevent attacks such as DNS spoofing, DNS cache poisoning, and DDoS attacks, which can disrupt the availability of internet services.
Threat Detection and Prevention: DNS can be used to detect and prevent security threats. By monitoring DNS queries and responses, security systems can identify and block malicious domains, detect command-and-control (C&C) communications used by malware, and prevent data exfiltration.
Access Control: DNS-based filtering and control mechanisms can be employed to restrict access to malicious or unauthorized websites. This helps in enforcing security policies and protecting users from phishing, malware, and other web-based threats.
Identity and Access Management (IAM): While not a direct fit, DNS can play a role in identity and access management by supporting secure, reliable, and authenticated name resolution services, which are foundational for many IAM systems.
In summary, DNS primarily fits into the categories of network security and infrastructure security, with roles in threat detection and prevention, access control, and indirectly supporting identity and access management.