Welcome to an insightful conversation with Rupert Marais, our in-house security specialist with deep expertise in endpoint and device security, cybersecurity strategies, and network management. Today, we dive into the often-overlooked world of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), the critical hubs that keep the internet running smoothly. In this interview, we explore how IXPs function as the internet’s traffic circles, their role in enhancing reliability and economic growth, the risks they face, and why they deserve more attention in public policy and security planning. Join us as Rupert unpacks these vital components of our digital infrastructure with clarity and depth.
How would you describe what an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is to someone unfamiliar with the term, and why are they so essential to the internet?
Think of an IXP as a giant traffic circle for data on the internet. Just like a traffic circle helps cars move efficiently by connecting different roads without forcing them to travel long detours, an IXP is a physical location where various networks—think internet service providers or content providers—connect and exchange data directly. This direct exchange, or peering, cuts down on the distance data has to travel, which means less delay for users and lower costs for the networks involved. They’re essential because without IXPs, data might have to take inefficient, faraway routes, slowing down everything from streaming videos to browsing websites, and driving up expenses for providers that ultimately trickle down to consumers.
In what ways do IXPs make the internet more reliable and resilient against disruptions?
IXPs are a cornerstone of internet resilience because they enable peering, which creates multiple pathways for data to travel. If one route fails—say, due to a cable cut or a server outage—traffic can be rerouted through other networks connected at the IXP. This redundancy helps keep the internet up and running even during major issues. For example, during a significant outage in Spain and Portugal in 2024, Spain’s internet held up better largely because of its robust IXP presence, which allowed traffic to find alternative paths. Without that, entire regions could go offline, so IXPs act like a safety net for connectivity.
How do IXPs contribute to economic growth, beyond just technical benefits?
IXPs are economic engines in ways people don’t often realize. By reducing latency and costs through local data exchange, they make internet access faster and more affordable, which directly supports businesses, especially in digital sectors. They also attract investment in local infrastructure—think data centers or tech hubs—because companies want to be close to these exchange points for better performance. The Internet Society has pointed out that IXPs foster economic growth by improving access and connectivity, essentially acting as a catalyst for digital economies in regions that might otherwise lag behind.
What are some of the major challenges or risks that IXPs face in today’s internet landscape?
One big challenge is the trend toward economic optimization over resilience. Many networks route traffic through a few major IXPs because it’s cheaper and more efficient, but this concentrates risk—if one of those hubs goes down, the impact is massive. Another issue is that smaller internet providers often rely on a single IXP for connectivity, creating a single point of failure. There’s also topological centralization, where a handful of IXP locations handle a huge chunk of regional traffic, making them prime targets for attacks or disruptions. These vulnerabilities can ripple across entire networks if not addressed.
Why do you think IXPs often fly under the radar in public discussions and government policies?
I think it’s largely because IXPs are not flashy or visible to the average person. Many start as small, grassroots efforts—local ISPs or universities teaming up to solve a connectivity problem—and they grow quietly from there. Unlike physical cables or data centers, which are tangible and often tied to big-budget projects, IXPs are more abstract to policymakers. Governments tend to focus on infrastructure they can see or that grabs headlines, while IXPs, despite their critical role, remain a niche topic mostly understood by tech experts. This oversight can leave gaps in internet security and disaster planning.
What specific measures do you believe are necessary to ensure IXPs remain secure and effective in the long term?
Strong governance and security protocols are non-negotiable for IXPs today. They need clear rules on who can connect and how, plus robust defenses against threats like BGP leaks or hijacks—where traffic is misrouted, often maliciously, disrupting or stealing data. We also need better monitoring and transparency so issues can be spotted and addressed quickly. On a broader level, I’d argue for IXPs to be included in national critical infrastructure lists, with policies that support their resilience through funding or shared incident response frameworks. It’s about reinforcing what already works, not overhauling it.
What is your forecast for the future of IXPs and their role in shaping the internet?
I see IXPs becoming even more pivotal as the internet grows and decentralizes. With the explosion of data from things like streaming, cloud computing, and IoT devices, we’ll need more IXPs, especially in underserved regions, to handle traffic locally and reduce strain on global networks. But I also foresee challenges—unless governments and industry prioritize resilience over pure efficiency, we risk creating more vulnerabilities through centralization. My hope is that we’ll see a push for diverse, well-governed IXPs that mirror the internet’s original decentralized spirit, ensuring it remains robust and accessible for everyone.
