Byzantine Agreement Protocol

Definition ∞ A Byzantine Agreement Protocol is a method allowing a distributed system’s components to reach a consensus, even if some components are faulty or malicious. This protocol ensures all honest participants agree on the same value, despite the presence of unreliable actors. It addresses the Byzantine Generals’ Problem, a classic computer science dilemma concerning agreement in a fault-prone environment. Such protocols are fundamental for maintaining data consistency and security in decentralized networks.
Context ∞ In blockchain technology, Byzantine Agreement Protocols are critical for the security and integrity of decentralized ledgers, forming the basis of many consensus mechanisms. News often reports on advancements in these protocols, aiming to improve their efficiency and scalability without compromising security. A significant debate involves balancing the number of faulty nodes a system can tolerate with its overall performance. Future research explores quantum-resistant Byzantine agreement solutions.