How to frame domain and DNS abuse risk for board and audit discussions. Includes talking points on ROI and how to demonstrate a formal domain protection program.
Why boards and auditors care
Domain and DNS abuse can lead to credential theft, fraud, and reputational damage. Regulators and auditors are increasingly asking how organizations monitor and respond to this risk. A clear answer shows that you take digital risk seriously and have a documented control in place. A vague or missing answer can raise questions about gaps in your program.
Talking points for the board
- Risk: Abusive domains target our brand and customers every day. Without monitoring, we only find out after an incident.
- Control: We have a formal domain protection program that includes continuous monitoring, evidence collection, and escalation to registrars and hosts for takedown.
- ROI: The cost of a single successful phishing or impersonation incident can exceed years of domain protection. One prevented incident can cover multiple years of the program.
- Evidence: We can show documented findings, takedowns, and response times for audit and compliance.
Demonstrating a formal program
A formal program has defined scope (what you monitor), process (how you detect and escalate), and outcomes (what was found and taken down). You should be able to produce reports that show coverage, findings, and actions taken. DomainHQ supports this by providing continuous monitoring, human-led prioritization, and evidence packages that your legal and compliance teams can use in discussions with auditors and the board.
When auditors ask
Be ready to explain: what you monitor, how often, who is responsible, and how you escalate. Having a dedicated partner or platform for domain abuse makes it easier to give a consistent, credible answer. If you would like to strengthen your narrative with a risk assessment or a pilot, we can help.