RFC 3233 (rfc3233) - Page 2 of 4
Defining the IETF
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 3233 Defining the IETF February 2002 It is important to note that the IETF is not a corporation: it is an unincorporated, freestanding organization. The IETF is partially supported by the Internet Society (ISOC). ISOC is an international non-profit organization incorporated in the US with thousands of individual and corporate members throughout the world who pay membership fees to join. The Internet Society provides many services to the IETF, including insurance and some financial and logistical support. As described in BCP 11, Internet standardization is an organized activity of the ISOC, with the ISOC Board of Trustees being responsible for ratifying the procedures and rules of the Internet standards process. However, the IETF is not a formal subset of ISOC; for example, one does not have to join ISOC to be a member of the IETF. There is no board of directors for the IETF, no formally signed bylaws, no treasurer, and so on. The structure of the IETF (its leadership, its working groups, the definition of IETF membership, and so on) are described in detail in BCP 11. Procedures for choosing leadership are described in detail in BCP 10. Thus, when RFCs say "the IETF", they are describing the group that acts in accordance with BCP 9, BCP 10, and BCP 11. 3. Security Considerations All IETF protocols must describe the security aspects of the environment in which they will be used. Also, the IETF has a Security Area which discusses the security aspects of IETF protocols. However, descriptive documents such as this one do not affect the security of the Internet. Hoffman & Bradner Best Current Practice
