Repudiation
TLDR: Repudiation refers to the denial of involvement or responsibility in a digital transaction, communication, or action. It poses a significant security challenge, particularly in environments where evidence of participation or authenticity is critical. Addressing repudiation requires implementing mechanisms like non-repudiation through digital signatures and public key infrastructure (PKI), ensuring that actions or messages cannot be falsely denied.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-repudiation
In digital communications, repudiation can manifest when a sender denies having sent a message or when a recipient denies receiving it. This is a common concern in e-commerce, legal agreements, and secure messaging systems, where accountability is paramount. Without robust protections, such disputes can undermine trust, leading to financial losses or breaches of contract. Digital signatures play a key role in addressing repudiation by cryptographically binding an identity to a transaction or document.
https://www.nist.gov/itl/special-publications/nist-special-publication-800-107
To mitigate repudiation risks, organizations implement audit trails, timestamping, and secure logging alongside cryptographic techniques. For example, in software distribution, signed binaries ensure that both the source and integrity of the software can be verified, preventing developers or distributors from disowning their involvement. By combining technological safeguards with legal frameworks, repudiation can be effectively managed, fostering trust and reliability in digital ecosystems.