backstopping

Serving as backup

Backstopping is the act of providing support or backup to prevent failure or fill gaps when primary systems or people fall short.

The term derives from baseball, where the backstop is the fence behind home plate that catches errant pitches.

In broader use, it describes any reinforcement or safety net: The central bank is backstopping the financial system.

Government agencies, insurance policies, and experienced colleagues all engage in backstopping when they stand ready to catch what might otherwise slip through.

guarantee

assurance

Firm promise or certainty

underwritingRisk evaluation and acceptance
collateralSecurity for debt
suretyBacker of obligation

indemnity · warranty · pledge · bond · security · protection · coverage · safeguard · endorsement · guarantee

support

backup

Stored duplicate for recovery

reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
assistanceSupport or aid given
contingencyUncertain possible event

failsafe · redundancy · fallback · reserve · safety net · seconding · coverage · relief · standby · fill-in

goaltending

goalie

Net-guarding player

netminderHockey's final defender
saveProtect from loss
creaseLine from folding

goaltending · deflection · rebound · glove · butterfly · breakaway · backup goalie · positioning · recovery · scramble

espionage

cover

Protect by overlaying

handlerOne who manages something
assetItem of value owned
safehouseSecure secret shelter

tradecraft · exfiltration · extraction · legend · cutout · fallback · contingency · plausible deniability · counterintelligence · operational security

backstopping

assurance

backup

goalie

cover

backstopping

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