Risk is a condition where the use of a system could result in a high probability of devastating consequences, such as injury or death to humans, catastrophic financial losses, or environmental devastation. Risk is highest when there is an unsafe use of a system that is hazardous. The system is complex, having an unusual performance condition, and safe operation may push human operators beyond their educational, psychological, performance, or training limitations.
Increasingly, Risks arise from the actions of human attackers, sophisticated intruders, unsophisticated intruders, automated attacks, disgruntled employees and ex-employees, competitors and foreign governments, contractors, managers and executives, the forces of nature and electrical phenomena. See script kiddies, security.