Data Integrity Verification

Definition ∞ Data Integrity Verification is the process of confirming that data has remained unaltered and accurate during storage, processing, or transmission. This procedure uses cryptographic hashes or other proof mechanisms to ensure that digital information has not been corrupted or tampered with by unauthorized entities. It is a critical component for maintaining trust and reliability in decentralized systems.
Context ∞ For blockchain networks, data integrity verification is fundamental, as the immutability of the ledger depends on the ability to confirm that all recorded transactions are authentic and unchanged. Ongoing discussions in the crypto space often relate to optimizing these verification processes to improve network efficiency and reduce computational overhead. This is particularly relevant for scaling solutions and ensuring the trustworthiness of off-chain data feeds.