(1) Background of the Proposed Change:
The proposed change to the security model involves transitioning control of the OP Mainnet’s protocol upgrades from a centralized entity (the Foundation multisig) to a Security Council multisig. This change aims to decentralize control and enhance security by preventing a single party from unilaterally upgrading the system, modifying rollup state, or censoring transactions. It introduces a phased approach (Phase 0 and Phase 1) to implement this transition, starting with the Security Council as one of the signers on a 2/2 multisig.
(2) Alignment with Industry Best Practices:
The Security Council Charter is designed to align with industry best practices for decentralized governance. It introduces a collective decision-making process and outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Security Council members. The goal is to enhance the overall security posture of OP Mainnet and other OP Chains within the Superchain by distributing decision-making authority among elected representatives rather than relying on a central authority.
(3) Circumstances for Preemptive Action:
The Security Council can act preemptively in defined emergency situations to ensure the safety and security of the network without direct Governance approval. Examples of such situations could include critical vulnerabilities or imminent threats where immediate action is required to protect the network. Participants may also take actions deemed necessary to comply with applicable laws.
(4) Security Considerations:
The Security Council operates using a Gnosis Safe multisig wallet, and participants follow the Security Council Charter during normal operations. During emergencies, the Council can act without direct Governance approval to address immediate threats. Dysfunctional participants can be checked without compromising security. The Security Council’s responsibilities include implementing protocol upgrades and role designations directed by Optimism Governance.
(5) Rationale for Approval Thresholds:
This is my assumption, maybe The Foundation has a different view.
The proposal suggests a 76% approval threshold and a 30% quorum for the Security Council’s implementation. The specific numbers may be chosen based on a balance between achieving a substantial majority for consensus while maintaining a reasonable quorum to ensure community participation. The thresholds reflect a desire for strong support (76%) and community engagement (30%) before proceeding with such a fundamental change.