Byzantine Resistance

Definition ∞ Byzantine Resistance is the ability of a distributed system to continue operating correctly even when some of its components or participants act maliciously or erratically. This property is fundamental to the security and reliability of decentralized networks, ensuring that consensus can still be reached despite the presence of faulty or adversarial nodes. It addresses the challenge of achieving agreement in an environment where trust cannot be assumed among all participants. The robustness against such deviations is a cornerstone of blockchain technology.
Context ∞ Byzantine Resistance is a core consideration in the design and evaluation of consensus algorithms used in blockchain networks. News reports frequently discuss the theoretical underpinnings and practical implementations of algorithms like Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) or variations thereof, especially in permissioned or consortium blockchains. The degree of Byzantine resistance a network possesses is a key factor in assessing its security against coordinated attacks, such as Sybil attacks or attempts to disrupt transaction finality. Understanding this concept is vital for discerning the security assurances of different distributed ledger technologies.