Pluggable connector having a protective front wall

A pluggable connector comprising:

• a connector housing having a leading end that is configured to be inserted into a receptacle assembly, the connector housing including a receiving space at the leading end that opens in multiple directions to an exterior of the connector housing;
• a card assembly held by the connector housing and comprising an edge interface that is configured to communicatively engage a mating connector of the receptacle assembly, the edge interface positioned within the receiving space;
• and
• a guard assembly movably coupled to the connector housing and comprising a protective shroud and a spring member that operably engages the protective shroud, the protective shroud having an edge slot, the spring member biasing the protective shroud to a forward position in which the protective shroud substantially surrounds the receiving space and encloses the edge interface therein, wherein the protective shroud compresses the spring member during a mating operation as the protective shroud moves from the forward position to a displaced position, the mating edge moving through the edge slot and clearing the protective shroud as the protective shroud moves to the displaced position.