For a loosely connected, globally distributed system with no central governing authority, the Internet is remarkably dependable. Robust enough to cope with the unexpected, it features back-up capabilities ranging from redundant network paths to virtual servers that compensate for physical hardware failures.
Having democratized access to information, the Internet now serves as the foundation of the world’s digital economy. Its functionality, and the economy it underpins, rest on five key elements: operating systems and web browsers; search engines and apps; cloud; silicon-based semiconductor chips; and network equipment.