Published On: July 27, 2025Categories: News

Oliver Gasser to Present ‘WHEREIS: IP Address Registration Geo-Consistency’ at BalticNOG 2025

  • Oliver Gasser

We’re excited to welcome Oliver Gasser, Head of Research at IPinfo, to the stage at BalticNOG 2025, where he will present his latest work: “WHEREIS: IP Address Registration Geo-Consistency.”

Oliver is widely recognized for his contributions to Internet measurement and infrastructure research. With a background that spans elite research institutions, such as the Max Planck Institute for Informatics and the MPI for Security and Privacy, he brings academic rigor and real-world relevance to some of the most pressing challenges in the internet infrastructure space.

As Head of Research at IPinfo, a leading provider of IP intelligence data, Oliver leads initiatives that bridge technical precision with operational impact, supporting internet operators, security teams, and global enterprises.

His Talk: WHEREIS: IP Address Registration Geo-Consistency

The Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) are entrusted with IP address allocation and registration. But what happens after these allocations? Where are those IPs used, and how closely does usage align with registration?

In this talk, Oliver introduces WHEREIS, a measurement-based framework that assesses IP address registrations’ geo-consistency by analyzing IPv4 and IPv6 prefixes. The project compares the measured physical location of IP address usage with:

  • The allocation of RIR’s coverage region
  • The registered organization’s location

Through large-scale analysis and collaboration with RIRs, Oliver and his team found that while 98% of prefixes appear geolocation-consistent, significant regional inconsistencies exist, especially in AFRINIC allocations. IPv6 fares no better than IPv4, suggesting that these discrepancies are structural rather than technical.

The talk will cover:

  • A proposed taxonomy of geo-consistency
  • Variations in registration accuracy across RIRs
  • Impact on commercial geolocation databases
  • Feedback loops with RIRs, IP leasing providers, and operators
  • Broader implications for policy, trust, and transparency

By shedding light on how and where IPs are used post-allocation, Oliver aims to enhance the reliability of geolocation data, improve IP reputation systems, and support policy refinement across RIRs.

Why This Talk Matters

For anyone working in network operations, IP address management, RPKI validation, or security, the geo-consistency of IPs is a foundational issue. Oliver’s talk intersects:

  • IP leasing and post-allocation behavior
  • RIR accountability and data hygiene
  • Abuse prevention and geolocation accuracy
  • Policy enforcement and regional allocation constraints

Whether you’re an operator managing delegated prefixes, a researcher studying network behavior, or a policymaker evaluating RIR jurisdiction, this session will offer data-backed insights you can act on.

🎟️ Join us in Vilnius on September 24–25 and hear Oliver Gasser share WHEREIS, one of the most important recent contributions to IP infrastructure transparency.

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