Information-Theoretic Security

Definition ∞ Information-theoretic security refers to a system’s security that relies solely on the principles of information theory, independent of computational power. This type of security implies that an adversary, even with unlimited computational resources, cannot gain any information about the encrypted message beyond what is already publicly known. It represents the highest possible level of cryptographic assurance, typically achieved through methods like the one-time pad. Such systems are theoretically unbreakable.
Context ∞ While most blockchain cryptography depends on computational security assumptions, the pursuit of information-theoretic security remains a theoretical benchmark for absolute data protection. Research often centers on its applicability in highly sensitive, specialized communication scenarios rather than general-purpose blockchain transactions due to practical limitations. Future advancements in quantum cryptography may bring some elements closer to this ideal, influencing long-term security considerations for digital assets.