MTTFd

The reliability of components is obviously at the core of a system's ability to perform its security function. The lower the reliability of a component, the more likely it is that this component will cause failures (and therefore will be dangerous). However, it should be noted that it would be inconceivable to consider the reliability of a component as justification for achieving high levels of performance. Standard 13849 also provides a limit on the use of an MTTFd (100 years). This is because an MTTFd value is an average and does not reflect reality. It is therefore likely that a reliable product will fail, despite the small statistical probability. It is particularly true that, in the case of failure, this component will not immediately be identified as the probable cause of that failure.