> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cvnnt.gitbook.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cvnnt.gitbook.io/documentation/system-architecture/governance/system-nodes/witness-nodes-and-witness-groups.md).

# Witness nodes and witness groups

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Note: This chapter is currently under development.
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Witness groups are the groups of master nodes that participate in validation activity among other master node groups and additionally improve the security and validity of the verification processes in the Covenant system. Witness groups mechanics allow to improve the security and reliability of the validation processes in the Covenant system with respect to trustless mechanics, decentralized structure and data transparency.

Witness groups are formed under general master node group formation process, thus witness group formation process follows the same rules as the master node group formation process does. Everyone can participate in witness group, although the chance that the master node join the witness group due group formation process, is random.