Network Security
Web3 / blockchain technology
The set of practices, protocols, and mechanisms that protect a blockchain network from attacks, unauthorized access, and data integrity failures. For proof-of-work networks like Bitcoin, security derives from the economic cost of mounting a 51% attack (controlling majority of hash rate). For proof-of-stake networks, security is based on the threat of slashing a majority of staked value. Beyond consensus-layer security, network security encompasses node communication security (encrypted peer connections, Sybil resistance), smart contract security (audit practices, formal verification), bridge security (multi-sig protections and oracle integrity), and endpoint security (wallet software and key management). DDoS resilience—preventing node network disruption—and eclipse attack prevention (ensuring nodes receive honest network views) are also network security concerns. Example: Ethereum's security model requires an attacker to control or corrupt more than one-third of all staked ETH to disrupt finality, and more than two-thirds to finalize invalid blocks—representing tens of billions of dollars at risk, making a successful attack economically irrational. Why it matters for Web3: Network security is the guarantee that makes trustless systems trustworthy. Every billion-dollar DeFi protocol and institutional custody solution depends on the security of the underlying network remaining unbroken.
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