diff --git a/.gitlab/issue_templates/Release.md b/.gitlab/issue_templates/Release.md
index 3bac8a2a0c..a00afa6223 100644
--- a/.gitlab/issue_templates/Release.md
+++ b/.gitlab/issue_templates/Release.md
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@
 
 **Tagging Deadline:**
 
-**ASN Deadline:**
-
 **Public Release:**
 
 ## Release Checklist
@@ -12,6 +10,7 @@
 
  - [ ] ***(QA)*** Check whether all issues assigned to the release milestone are resolved[^1].
  - [ ] ***(QA)*** Ensure that there are no outstanding merge requests in the private repository[^1] (Subscription Edition only).
+ - [ ] ***(QA)*** Ensure all merge requests marked for backporting have been indeed backported.
 
 ## Before the Tagging Deadline
 
@@ -34,19 +33,21 @@
 ## Before the ASN Deadline (for ASN Releases) or the Public Release Date (for Regular Releases)
 
  - [ ] ***(QA)*** Verify GitLab CI results for the tags created and prepare a QA report for the releases to be published.
- - [ ] ***(QA)*** Request signatures for the tarballs.
- - [ ] ***(Signers)*** Sign the tarballs.
- - [ ] ***(QA)*** Check tarball signatures.
- - [ ] ***(QA)*** Notify Support that the releases are ready for publication.
+ - [ ] ***(QA)*** Request signatures for the tarballs, providing their location and checksums.
+ - [ ] ***(Signers)*** Validate tarball checksums, sign tarballs, and upload signatures.
+ - [ ] ***(QA)*** Verify tarball signatures and check tarball checksums again.
  - [ ] ***(Support)*** Pre-publish ASN and/or Subscription Edition tarballs so that packages can be built.
  - [ ] ***(QA)*** Build and test ASN and/or Subscription Edition packages.
+ - [ ] ***(QA)*** Notify Support that the releases have been prepared.
  - [ ] ***(Support)*** Send out ASNs (if applicable).
 
 ## On the Day of Public Release
 
- - [ ] ***(Support)*** Publish the releases according to the release schedule.
- - [ ] ***(Support)*** Write release email to *bind9-announce*.
- - [ ] ***(Support)*** Write email to *bind9-users* (if a major release).
+ - [ ] ***(Support)*** Wait for clearance from Security Officer to proceed with the public release (if applicable).
+ - [ ] ***(Support)*** Place tarballs in public location on FTP site.
+ - [ ] ***(Support)*** Publish links to downloads on ISC website.
+ - [ ] ***(Support)*** Write release email to *bind-announce*.
+ - [ ] ***(Support)*** Write email to *bind-users* (if a major release).
  - [ ] ***(Support)*** Update tickets in case of waiting support customers.
  - [ ] ***(QA)*** Build and test any outstanding private packages.
  - [ ] ***(QA)*** Build public packages (`*.deb`, RPMs).