What does it mean if a security interest is said to remain "perfected"?

A security interest that is said to remain "perfected" primarily means that it maintains its enforceability against third parties. In the context of secured transactions, perfection refers to the legal steps a secured party must take to establish their interest in collateral as a prioritized claim against the collateral in the event of default. This perfection usually involves filing a financing statement or taking possession of the collateral.

When the security interest is perfected, it ensures that the secured party's rights are recognized and enforceable against other creditors and third parties. This protection is crucial because it helps the secured party assert its claim to the collateral even if the debtor faces bankruptcy or other financial distress situations.

Thus, the essence of perfection is about maintaining the priority and enforceability of the secured party's interest against potential claims from others, ensuring that they can enforce their security interest without interference from other parties who may come to claim against the same collateral.