Post-Audit Risk

Definition ∞ Post-audit risk refers to the potential for vulnerabilities or operational issues to surface in a smart contract or blockchain protocol subsequent to an initial security audit. This can result from newly discovered attack vectors, unanticipated interactions with other protocols, or changes in the operating environment not encompassed by the original audit scope. Such risks underscore that an audit provides a snapshot of security, not a permanent guarantee. Continuous vigilance remains necessary.
Context ∞ Post-audit risk is a critical concern in decentralized finance, frequently discussed in news reports following exploits of protocols that had previously undergone security reviews. These incidents highlight that even audited smart contracts can harbor undiscovered flaws or become vulnerable due to subsequent system modifications. The industry constantly debates strategies for continuous security monitoring and iterative auditing to mitigate these lingering dangers.