Bootstrapping Security

Definition ∞ Bootstrapping security pertains to the initial establishment of trust and secure operation within a new or restarting system. In blockchain, this involves the methods used to securely launch a network, ensure the integrity of its genesis state, and safely onboard initial participants. It addresses how a network gains its initial resistance to attacks before a robust consensus mechanism is fully operational. This foundational security is vital for the long-term reliability of any decentralized system.
Context ∞ Discussions about bootstrapping security are prominent in the launch of new blockchain protocols or when recovering from significant network disruptions. A critical future development involves developing more robust and decentralized methods for initial trust establishment, minimizing reliance on centralized entities. This area also relates to preventing supply manipulation and ensuring fair distribution of initial digital assets.