In systems engineering, dependability is a measure of a system's availability, reliability, and its maintenance support. This may also encompass mechanisms designed to increase and maintain the dependability of a system.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) develops and maintains international standards that provide systematic methods and tools for dependability assessment and management of equipment, services, and systems throughout their life cycles.
Dependability can be broken down into three elements:
- Attributes - A way to assess the dependability of a system
- Threats - An understanding of the things that can affect the dependability of a system
- Means - Ways to increase a system's dependability
Read more about Dependability: History, Dependability of Information Systems and Survivability