Questions for Michael Wibbeke, Managing Director at managed IP
In this interview, Michael Wibbeke, Managing Director and Founder of managed IP, explains the trends and challenges currently affecting the domain industry.
Mr Wibbeke, please briefly explain what managed IP does and which sector your customers come from!
Michael Wibbeke: managed IP has been managing domain and SSL portfolios for large companies since 2007. In addition to pure administration, we help our customers with numerous services such as surveillance, domain purchase, research, security, take-down or strategy to achieve good name protection in the online sector. Our customers are generally larger companies that are confronted with increased complexity in the services we offer and expect a high level of service.
What are the specific challenges in your industry at the moment and how are you working on them?
One particular challenge is the increasing bureaucratisation: the Supply Chain Act, which is increasingly being passed on to us from customers in the form of “code of Conduct”. In addition, there is NIS2 and – in the foreseeable future – e-invoicing. This is not easy for smaller companies like us to cope with. In the domain industry, we expect the introduction of new top-level domains from 2026 and are combatting the increasing facets of cybercrime.
Which trends and technologies do you see as being particularly decisive for the further development of Germany as a digital location in the coming years?
Artificial intelligence in all its controversy will change many areas of our lives and also accelerate technological developments once again. We hope that Germany and Europe can strike a balance between regulation and creative freedom.
What opportunities will digitalisation offer us in the future?
Digitalisation improves value creation in companies through automation. It also increases networking and facilitates communication, where domain names and DNS play an integral role.
How did you decide to become an eco-member? How do you expect your membership of the eco Association to support you in your work?
We realised that many companies in our network are members of eco, and didn’t want to miss out! We also look forward to exchanging ideas with other members, especially on current topics such as NIS2, new TLDs, etc.
Thank you very much, Mr Wibbeke!
