Critical Infrastructure Risk

Definition ∞ Critical infrastructure risk refers to the susceptibility of essential underlying systems supporting digital assets to disruption or failure. This refers to threats against core components like network nodes, data centers, or foundational internet services. Such risks can severely impact the operation, accessibility, and integrity of blockchain networks. Systemic outages or attacks on these elements pose substantial threats to the digital economy.
Context ∞ Reports on critical infrastructure risk frequently accompany discussions about national security implications of digital currencies and the resilience of global blockchain networks. Concerns include potential state-sponsored attacks or widespread power outages affecting network uptime. Efforts focus on decentralizing physical infrastructure and enhancing cyber defenses to bolster system robustness.