Software Assurance

Definition ∞ Software assurance is the degree of confidence that software is free from vulnerabilities, either intentionally designed or accidentally present, and will behave as expected. It involves a rigorous set of processes and practices aimed at ensuring the integrity, security, and reliability of software throughout its lifecycle. This confidence is established through verification, validation, and risk management activities.
Context ∞ In the cryptocurrency industry, software assurance is a critical concern, particularly for smart contracts, wallet software, and exchange platforms, where security breaches can lead to substantial financial losses. News often scrutinizes the software assurance practices of new projects or discusses the implications of security flaws found in established protocols. The pursuit of robust software assurance is directly linked to the trustworthiness and stability of digital asset markets.