The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) has announced the formation of the Secure Hosting Alliance (SHA), a consortium of web hosting and cloud industry leaders committed to promoting trust, ethical practices, and policy advocacy.
Comprising 23 key players, including Automattic, Cloudflare, WebPros, DreamHost, Hostinger, GoDaddy, Recorded Future, SiteGround, Newfold Digital (owner of BlueHost and HostGator), Tucows, Recorded Future, Raksmart, Green Olive Tree, Blacknight Solutions, Patmos, Sharktech, CTM 360, Abusix, IPXO, Name.com, Xilo, Peta Express, BigScoots, AltusHost, and 20i – the alliance aims to strengthen the global hosting ecosystem.
David Snead, i2Coalition’s General Counsel, has been appointed as the inaugural Director of SHA, bringing extensive legal and industry expertise to the initiative.
“I’m excited to lead the Secure Hosting Alliance as we bring member companies to build a more trusted, secure, and ethical web hosting industry. We started our work last year, hosting an Anti-Abuse Showcase, and we are already moving forward with some exciting projects this year, such as creating a trust seal and anti-abuse best practices within the hosting and cloud industries.”
David Snead, i2Coalition
Objectives of the Secure Hosting Alliance
The SHA is focused on several key initiatives:
- Fraud Prevention and Abuse Response: Developing industry-wide best practices for tackling fraudulent activities and cyber threats.
- Law Enforcement and Policy Coordination: Engaging with policymakers and regulatory bodies to shape fair and effective legislation.
- Privacy, Security, and Transparency Standards: Establishing guidelines to enhance online trust and protect consumer data.
- Unified Industry Language and Ethical Advertising: Promoting clarity and ethical engagement across the hosting sector.
- Community Collaboration and Networking: Facilitating discussions through events, workshops, and working groups.
i2Coalition’s 2025 Congressional Fly-In Scheduled for October
Further reinforcing its commitment to advocacy, i2Coalition has also opened registration for its annual Congressional Fly-In, taking place on October 8-9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This event provides industry leaders with direct access to policymakers, fostering discussions on critical Internet infrastructure issues.
- October 8 – Capitol Hill Day: Members will engage in face-to-face meetings with congressional representatives to discuss legislative matters impacting the hosting and cloud industry.
- October 9 – Internet Leadership Day: A day dedicated to industry-government collaboration, hosted at the CTA Innovation House, concluding with an evening networking event.
This year, i2Coalition will honor Michael Masnick, founder of TechDirt and the originator of the term The Streisand Effect, with the Protector of the Internet’s Infrastructure Award for his work in digital rights advocacy.
Registration and Participation Details
For 2025, i2Coalition has introduced an early bird registration fee of $250, valid until May 1, 2025. After this date, registration will increase to $300, with final participation confirmation required by August 1, 2025. The fee supports event logistics and advocacy efforts, ensuring a high-quality experience for all attendees.
Industry professionals interested in joining the Secure Hosting Alliance or attending the Congressional Fly-In can find more details and register via i2Coalition’s official website.
The SHA and the Fly-In represent significant steps in unifying the web hosting and cloud industry under a common framework, advocating for ethical practices, and engaging in meaningful policy discussions.
About i2Coalition
The Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition) is a leading organization that advocates for the interests of companies building the Internet’s foundational infrastructure. Established in 2012, the i2Coalition represents a diverse membership, including web hosting companies, data centers, domain registrars and registries, cloud infrastructure providers, and managed services providers. Its mission is to ensure that these entities have a unified voice in public policy discussions, promoting innovation and the continued growth of the Internet’s infrastructure, which is essential to the global economy.
