Asynchronous Verifiable Secret Sharing

Definition ∞ Asynchronous verifiable secret sharing is a cryptographic method allowing a secret to be divided among multiple participants. Each participant receives a share, and the original secret can only be reconstructed when a sufficient number of shares are combined. The asynchronous aspect means the protocol functions correctly even with unpredictable message delays. Verifiable indicates that participants can confirm the validity of their shares.
Context ∞ This technique is critical in distributed systems and blockchain protocols for enhancing security and fault tolerance. It ensures that a secret, such as a private key or a critical system parameter, remains secure even if some participants are malicious or offline. Its application is vital for robust threshold cryptography and secure multiparty computation in decentralized networks. News about secure key management often highlights its importance.