single points of failure

Noun

single point of failure (plural single points of failure)

1. A component in a device, or a point in a network, that, if it were to fail, would cause the entire device or network to fail (normally eliminated by adding redundancy).
   • The Jesus nut got its name because it is a single point of failure — if it goes, there's nothing you can do but pray.
2. (broadly) A minor mistake that creates a chain reaction.
   • The intact twine in Dylan's beef Wellington was a single point of failure.