Secure Data Feeds

Definition ∞ Secure data feeds are reliable and tamper-resistant streams of information delivered to applications or systems. These feeds ensure the integrity and authenticity of external data, protecting it from manipulation or corruption during transmission. They often employ cryptographic methods, redundancy, and reputation systems to verify data sources and delivery mechanisms. Such security is critical for applications that depend on accurate real-world information for their operations.
Context ∞ For blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, secure data feeds are essential for oracles to bring off-chain information onto the blockchain reliably. The accuracy of these feeds directly impacts the correctness and security of smart contract execution. Ongoing innovation focuses on strengthening the security and decentralization of these data sources to prevent exploits and enhance the resilience of the entire DeFi ecosystem.