WHAT IS MANRS?
A Collaborative Effort to Improve Routing Security
Every day, routing security incidents affect the Internet and the organizations and people that rely on it. Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS) is a global initiative, supported by the Global Cyber Alliance, that provides crucial fixes to reduce the most common routing threats — things like Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) leaks and BGP hijacks that can lead to reputational damage, loss of intellectual property, and denial of service (DoS) attacks.
MANRS outlines simple, concrete actions organizations can take, tailored to their role on the Internet, offering four programs for Network Operators, Internet Exchange Points, CDN and Cloud Providers, and Equipment Vendors. Joining MANRS means joining a community of security-minded organizations committed to making the global routing infrastructure more robust and secure.
Created by members of the network operator community in 2014, the Global Cyber Alliance took over secretariat and operational functions from the Internet Society in 2024 with financial support via a five-year grant. MANRS is part of GCA’s Internet Integrity Program, which addresses systemic cyber risk at the infrastructure level by focusing on the three components that build up the Internet— the domain names (names), the IP address space (numbers), and its routing mechanisms (routes).
MANRS is part of GCA’s Internet Integrity Program.
From Data to ACtion
Data
The MANRS Observatory uses passive measurements and existing databases from trusted data providers to measure MANRS Readiness – how well MANRS Actions are implemented – for all networks on the Internet.
Community
MANRS brings together security-minded organizations who are committed to improving the global routing infrastructure. MANRS participants are supported by a wider routing security community.
Action
MANRS offers specific actions to improve routing security via four programs for Network Operators, Internet Exchange Points, CDN and Cloud Providers, and Equipment Vendors, with regular events and training sessions available to all.
Do Something. Measure It.™
The MANRS Community
Now with over 1,000 participants across its four programs, MANRS has its own community and governance structure, with secretariat support from the Global Cyber Alliance. A Steering Committee provides oversight of the MANRS application and auditing processes, enhances the MANRS Actions by developing ongoing conformance criteria, and helps guide community programs, trainings, and events. Programs exist for:
- Network Operators
- Internet Exchange Points (IXPs)
- Content Delivery Network (CDN) and Cloud Providers
- Equipment Vendors
The Global Cyber Alliance serves as the secretariat of the MANRS community.
The MANRS Observatory
The MANRS Observatory is a public platform that:
- Measures the level of MANRS Readiness of all networks participating in Internet routing, which also serves as an indication of the state of routing security.
- Presents consolidated routing security data from various partners for specific regions and economies and tracks their evolution over time.
background
Border Gateway Protocol, or BGP, is used to direct traffic across the Internet. Networks use BGP to exchange “reachability information” – networks they know how to get to. Any network that is connected to the Internet eventually relies on BGP to reach other networks.
The problem is, BGP was created long before security was a concern. BGP assumes that all networks are trustworthy. Technically, there are no built-in security mechanisms to validate that routes are legitimate. In addition, networks are scattered across the globe making the chain of trust difficult to trace, and even if you’re trying to validate information, there’s a lack of reliable resource data.
There are tools to help secure BGP, but they are still under-deployed. Network operators have a responsibility to ensure a globally robust and secure routing infrastructure. No operator can secure their own network entirely by themselves. Routing security depends on the actions of other networks, and every network should help secure the global routing system as a whole.
Sponsorship Opportunities
While participating in the MANRS community is free, maintaining its technical infrastructure, outreach and advocacy efforts, and human resources are not. By sponsoring MANRS, you help us keep it open, accessible, and growing. Learn more about the sponsorship tiers and benefits, and how to get started.
News About MANRS
Strengthening the Internet’s Foundations: Recent Progress Across MANRS, Domain Trust, and AIDE
The Invisible Layer: Governing Routing Security as a Supply Chain Risk
GCA at RIPE 92: Tackling Residential Proxy Abuse and Strengthening Internet Integrity
Interconnection Academy & GCA kick off partnership: Making the Internet safer through specialist training
Introducing the 2025 Annual Report: Strengthening the Internet, Protecting People
GCA announces USD $500K Contribution from Craig Newmark Philanthropies
The Invisible War: Why Securing the Internet Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Securing the Future: The Global Cyber Alliance’s 2024 Impacts and Achievements
MANRS Update: One Year Under GCA
Leslie Daigle on the Modern Cyber Podcast
Keeping Your Data on the Right Track | The Case for Strong Routing Security
GCA Comments on Potential US Government Rules for Routing Security
The US Government is Making Moves on Routing Security. So Should You.
5 Reasons Regulating Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Won’t Actually Help Improve Routing Security
“At GCA, it feels like I’m playing a long game. We can solve problems facing the Internet that nobody else would solve.”
Achieving Greater Heights for MANRS
We All Need Better MANRS
Routing Security Survey Report: Findings V
Routing Security Survey Report: Findings IV
Routing Security Survey Report: Findings III
Routing Security Survey Report: Findings II
Routing Security Survey Report: Findings Release I
Revisiting the Cybercrime Prevention Principles for Internet Service Providers
Cybersecurity is a Team Sport
Internet Society Announces Partnership with the Global Cyber Alliance
GCA November Newsletter
Routing Security: Why We All Care That Network Operators Up Their Game
OTHER GCA TOOLS AND PROJECTS
