Staking SOL with a validator is generally considered a safe practice within the Solana ecosystem. Validators are responsible for processing transactions and securing the network, and by staking your SOL, you are helping to maintain the network's integrity and security.

Key Management

Where possible the Drift Validator is operated via a Squads multisig, the exception is the vote account key pair which must be a hot wallet.

Server Security and Access Management

To ensure the security and integrity of our server infrastructure, we implement a multi-layered security approach. Access to servers is tightly controlled and monitored, only authorized personnel are granted access.

Our servers are also protected by firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and regular security updates to safeguard against vulnerabilities and potential threats. Continuous monitoring and regular security assessments help us maintain a robust security posture.

Updates and Patches

We routinely check with the validator developers (Jito Foundation), to ensure we have the latest patches and apply them promptly. Additionally, we actively monitor the Solana Discord server to coordinate network restarts and stay informed about any critical updates or developments. This proactive approach ensures our systems remain secure and up-to-date.

Monitoring

We utilize Solana watchtower and custom monitoring software to monitor and alert staff in case of performance issues or downtime.