Critical Infrastructure Failure

Definition ∞ Critical infrastructure failure describes the breakdown of essential underlying systems necessary for the operation of digital asset networks. This can include outages in internet service providers, power grids, cloud computing platforms, or major data centers that host significant portions of blockchain nodes or related services. Such failures can lead to widespread network disruptions, temporary inaccessibility of assets, or even contribute to chain partitions. The interconnected nature of modern digital systems means a failure in one area can cascade.
Context ∞ Reports on critical infrastructure failure often appear when large-scale outages affect centralized services that interact with decentralized networks, or when geographic regions experience significant connectivity issues. While blockchains aim for decentralization, their reliance on global internet and power infrastructure means they are not entirely immune to these external vulnerabilities. Preparing for and mitigating these risks involves geographical distribution and redundant systems.