When we type a website address, the computer breaks it up into a mix of unique 32 zeros and ones. This binary code identifies and locates the computer on which the website resides. Techies call it internet protocol (IP) and the one that got exhausted is version four, also known as IPv4. The new system, IPv6, will have a mix of 128 zeros and ones. It will offer practically unending number of web addresses. To boot, IPv5 was an experimental system that never went public.
The security issues surface since IPv4 and IPv6 are weighed the same for security threats, right now. “The real issue is lack of awareness among network professionals, security architects and staff. They are not well-versed with the security nuances of IPv6 and lack expertise to handle the new protocol. This would remain a real danger for several months till everyone is trained. Security devise support in handling IPv6 traffic will also play a major role,” says Vishak Raman, regional director - India and Saarc, Fortinet.
Although some blocks of IPv4 addresses are still with domain name registrars of countries including India, the price of such addresses is expected to spiral. So, it might become cheaper to get IPv6 addresses, pushing firms and other organisations to buy new protocol-linked addresses.
