Enhancing Brazil’s Internet Routing Security

Brazil stands as a powerhouse in Latin America’s digital landscape, boasting one of the world’s most dynamic internet ecosystems. With millions of users relying on stable connectivity for everything from e-commerce to social interaction, safeguarding the underlying infrastructure is paramount. Routing security, the backbone of internet traffic direction, faces persistent threats like hijacking and leaks that can disrupt services nationwide. In a landmark move, NIC.br—the operational arm of Brazil’s internet governance—teamed up with the Internet Society to champion these protections. This collaboration leverages global best practices to shield Brazil’s networks from vulnerabilities, ensuring resilient data flows for years to come.

The Critical Role of Routing in Modern Networks

At its core, internet routing determines how data packets travel from source to destination across vast networks. Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), the protocol powering this process, enables autonomous systems (ASes)—networks operated by ISPs, enterprises, and data centers—to exchange routing information. While BGP’s flexibility has scaled the internet to billions of users, its trust-based design leaves it susceptible to exploitation.

Common threats include BGP hijacking, where malicious actors advertise false routes to intercept traffic; route leaks, accidental announcements that destabilize global paths; and IP spoofing, forging source addresses to launch attacks. In Brazil, with its expansive geography and dense IXP network managed by NIC.br, these issues amplify risks. A single hijack could reroute traffic through unintended paths, enabling eavesdropping or denial-of-service (DoS) floods.

• BGP Hijacking: Forged announcements divert legitimate traffic.
• Route Leaks: Misconfigurations flood tables with suboptimal paths.
• IP Spoofing: Enables amplified DDoS assaults.

Statistics underscore the urgency: Globally, thousands of hijacks occur annually, with Brazil witnessing notable incidents due to its high AS count. Proactive measures are essential to mitigate these, preserving trust in the network.

NIC.br: Pillar of Brazil’s Digital Infrastructure

Established under the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br), NIC.br orchestrates critical functions like .br domain registry, IP address allocation, and IX.br operations—the planet’s largest internet exchange points by traffic volume. These IXPs localize traffic, slashing latency and costs while bolstering sovereignty.

NIC.br’s scope extends to security via CERT.br, which coordinates incident responses, and IPv6.br for next-gen addressing. By fostering peering and best practices, NIC.br has cultivated a robust ecosystem serving over 200 million internet users. Its non-profit status ensures decisions prioritize public good over commercial interests.

Internet Society’s Global Mission for Secure Routing

The Internet Society (ISOC), a nonprofit dedicated to an open, evolving internet, drives initiatives worldwide to counter routing frailties. Through advocacy, standards development, and partnerships, ISOC empowers operators to adopt safeguards. Its chapters, including ISOC Brazil, localize these efforts, bridging global expertise with regional needs.

ISOC’s work emphasizes education, tools, and metrics to track improvements. By collaborating with registries and RIRs like LACNIC, it accelerates deployment of cryptographic validations and filtering norms.

Unveiling MANRS: A Blueprint for Routing Resilience

Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS) is ISOC’s flagship program, outlining actionable steps for operators. Launched to curb prevalent threats, MANRS has four pillars:

1. Filtering: Prevent incorrect route announcements via prefix validation.
2. Global Validation: Publish accurate data for external checks.
3. Coordinated Leak Prevention: Implement anti-leak mechanisms.
4. Anti-Spoofing: Deploy source validation like BCP 38.

Participants commit publicly, gaining visibility and tools. As of recent data, over 365 networks worldwide engage, with Brazil contributing significantly—96 operators, or 26% of the total.¹ This adoption rate highlights Brazil’s leadership.

The Strategic Partnership Between NIC.br and ISOC

In June 2018, NIC.br and ISOC formalized their alliance via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This pact targets Brazilian AS operators, promoting MANRS uptake through joint workshops, materials, and monitoring. Key outcomes include:

• RPKI platform launch in delegated mode by late 2019, enabling Resource Public Key Infrastructure for route origin validation.²
• IX.br route filtering to block invalid prefixes at exchanges.
• Awareness campaigns via provider associations.

The MoU builds on prior efforts like the Program for Safer Internet (Programa Internet Mais Segura), initiated at IX Forum 11 in 2017. Supported by ISOC and ABRANET, it focuses on DoS reduction, hijack prevention, and security culture-building.³

Progress is measurable: Brazilian MANRS participation surged, with one IXP onboard. NIC.br’s metrics track filtered routes and spoofing incidents, demonstrating tangible gains.

Technological Pillars: RPKI and Beyond

Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) anchors modern defenses. It cryptographically attests route origins via ROAs (Route Origin Authorizations). NIC.br’s delegated RPKI eases adoption for operators lacking infrastructure.

Additional tools include IRR (Internet Routing Registry) synchronization and BGPsec for path validation. At IX.br, Nokia-supplied IP routing enhances peering reliability.⁴ These layers collectively fortify Brazil’s grid.

Real-World Wins and Ongoing Challenges

The partnership yields results: Fewer leaks disrupt services, and spoofing drops via filters. CERT.br reports streamlined responses to routing anomalies. Yet hurdles persist—operator inertia, validation overhead, and emerging threats like BGP large-scale attacks.

Future plans encompass expanded training, IPv6 security integration, and LACNIC synergies for regional RPKI.⁵ Brazil’s model inspires Latin America, proving multi-stakeholder cooperation scales protections.

Implications for Users and the Global Internet

For everyday Brazilians, fortified routing means reliable streaming, secure banking, and uninterrupted remote work. Businesses gain predictable performance, fostering innovation. Globally, Brazil’s contributions stabilize intercontinental paths, as Latin traffic grows.

This effort underscores routing security’s universality—no borders exist in BGP tables. As quantum threats loom, sustained investment is vital.

FAQs on Brazil’s Routing Security Advances

What is MANRS and why does it matter for Brazil?

MANRS sets norms to secure BGP routing. For Brazil, with its vast networks, it prevents disruptions affecting millions.

How does NIC.br support RPKI deployment?

NIC.br runs a delegated platform, simplifying certificate issuance and validation for local operators.

What threats does this partnership target?

Primarily hijacks, leaks, spoofing, and DoS, reducing overall vulnerability.

Can individuals contribute to routing security?

Yes—advocate for ISP MANRS adoption and stay informed via CERT.br resources.

What’s next for routing security in Brazil?

Broader RPKI coverage, BGPsec pilots, and enhanced monitoring metrics.

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Author

medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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