How Mapping IP Addresses to Organizations Could Reshape Internet Resource Analysis
Researchers at Virginia Tech and APNIC are pioneering methods to map IP addresses to organizational names, a capability with far-reaching implications for cybersecurity, network management, and regulatory compliance. According to a recent APNIC blog, new techniques involving whois queries, RIR statistics, and AI-driven systems have emerged to simplify and enhance this formerly challenging process.
Transforming IP Address Lookup with Reg-IDs and AI
The traditional whois protocol, long used to query the registration details of an IP address or Autonomous System Number (ASN), has significant limitations when it comes to performing reverse queries—finding all resources allocated to a specific organization. Recent breakthroughs are addressing these issues. APNIC highlighted the use of reg-id, a unique anonymized identifier in Regional Internet Registry (RIR) daily statistics files, to trace all resources belonging to a single entity. For example, a reg-id such as ‘A91872ED’ could map an IP address like ‘203.10.60.0’ to an organization such as ‘APNIC Research and Development.’
Meanwhile, researchers at Virginia Tech presented a complementary approach during NANOG 95 in October 2025. Their system leverages databases like PeeringDB and Internet Routing Registry, in addition to machine learning-powered tools, to link IP addresses to organizational names with increased granularity.
Implications for Cybersecurity, Compliance, and Industry
These advancements come at a critical time for the telecom industry. Accurate mapping of IP addresses to organizational entities is a powerful tool for combating cyberattacks, optimizing network operations, and ensuring compliance with data jurisdiction laws. Cybersecurity experts, for instance, could use reg-id data to track malicious actors operating across multiple IP ranges under a single entity. Regulators could ensure accountability for organizations managing critical infrastructure resources.
Industry analysts note that these methodologies are also transformative for network operators. “Mapping resources more precisely allows for better traffic engineering, improved end-to-end visibility, and enhanced customer management for ISPs,” one expert observed. The emergence of these tools brings transparency to a historically opaque area of Internet operations.
The Future of IP Attribution and Internet Resource Management
The availability of daily-updating reports, as demonstrated by APNIC’s scripted implementation, signals a step toward automating resource mapping. These tools, combined with AI models drawing from extensive datasets, could make dynamic attribution a standard practice for network operators and policymakers. However, there are still challenges to address: ensuring the accuracy of organizational names across multilingual datasets and managing privacy concerns surrounding Internet number resource allocations.
As mapping tools evolve, questions remain: what role will AI play in standardizing data across global registries? How will these developments impact the dynamic between transparency and privacy in the Internet infrastructure ecosystem?
For a detailed breakdown of these techniques and further insights, visit the original APNIC blog post here.
