Calculator
Select control maturity for each area. For numeric fields, lower admins and more frequent reviews score higher.
Example Data Table
| Organization | MFA | Registry Lock | DNSSEC | Privileged Accounts | Access Review (Days) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RetailCo | Yes | Planned | Some domains | 4 | 150 | 63.4 |
| FinServe | Yes | Yes | All critical domains | 2 | 60 | 92.1 |
| StartupX | Partial | No | No | 7 | 365 | 34.8 |
Use the table as a reference for typical inputs and outcomes.
Formula Used
Each control is scored as 0, 0.5, or 1. Numeric fields map to the same scale using thresholds.
Final score: Score = (Σ(weightᵢ × controlScoreᵢ) ÷ Σ(weightᵢ)) × 100. Ratings are derived from score bands.
How to Use
- Review your registrar account settings and domain protections.
- Select the maturity level for each control area.
- Enter admin count and days since the last access review.
- Click Calculate Score to see results above the form.
- Download CSV or PDF to share, track, and compare changes.
Why registrar security needs a score
Domains are identity, payment routing, and email trust anchors. A single registrar takeover can redirect web traffic, reset certificates, or disrupt recovery workflows. Scoring converts scattered settings into a measurable baseline, making risk visible to leaders and trackable over time. It also helps prioritize work when budgets are limited across internal teams. When incidents occur, the score helps responders verify protections quickly and focus on recovery steps: lock status, contact integrity, DNS chain of trust, and change logs. Consistent scoring also supports continuous control monitoring for portfolios spanning many brands and regions.
Controls that drive takeover resistance
Multi factor authentication, strong recovery contacts, and restricted API keys reduce credential abuse. Registry or registrar lock adds friction against unauthorized transfers during social engineering attempts. DNSSEC prevents silent DNS manipulation, and account alerting improves detection when changes happen outside normal operating hours. Prefer MFA for admins and separate billing and DNS roles.
Operational hygiene that prevents drift
Security posture weakens when admin accounts multiply and reviews slip. Fewer privileged users lower exposure, while periodic access reviews catch orphaned accounts after staffing changes. A good target is quarterly reviews for critical domains and semiannual reviews for others. Documented change windows and ticketing reduce accidental updates that look like malicious activity. Store recovery codes in a controlled vault with dual approval.
Interpreting the score and rating bands
A weighted score highlights the controls that matter most for resilience. Scores above ninety usually indicate strong protections and disciplined reviews, with little access. Mid range scores often mean good authentication but missing lock or DNS protection, or overdue reviews. Low scores suggest urgent gaps in access control and recovery. Track the delta after each remediation to confirm the fix raised protection.
Using results for audits and improvement
Use the CSV export to compare business units, registrars, or quarters. The PDF works well for audit evidence and executive updates. After each change, recalculate, attach the report, and record who approved it. Build a plan: fix access first, then transfer locks, then DNS integrity. Small improvements compound into a lower probability of domain compromise. Reassess after incidents, mergers, and registrar policy changes.
FAQs
What does a higher registrar security score mean?
It indicates stronger controls such as MFA, locks, DNS protection, fewer admins, and timely reviews. Higher scores usually correlate with lower likelihood of unauthorized domain changes and faster detection if something goes wrong.
How often should I recalculate the score?
Recalculate after any registrar policy change, admin change, DNS update, or security project. Many teams run it monthly for critical domains and quarterly for the full portfolio to spot drift early.
Does DNSSEC always increase the score?
Yes, because it improves DNS integrity and reduces spoofing risk. If only some domains are signed, choose the partial option and plan a phased rollout for high value zones first.
What is the best target for privileged accounts?
Keep privileged registrar admins to the minimum needed for operations. Two to four named admins is common for small teams, with separate read only roles for billing or monitoring when available.
Why do access review days affect the result?
Long gaps allow dormant accounts to persist after role changes. Shorter review cycles reduce exposure and help prove governance during audits, which supports better incident response readiness.
Can I use this score for vendor comparisons?
Yes. Score the same control set across different registrars or resellers. Use the CSV export to compare features, then validate key claims like locks, alerts, and recovery processes with documentation.