Cybersecurity

Verified

·

High Consensus

High Impact

Primary definition

The loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability that could be expected to have a severe or catastrophic adverse effect on organizational operations, organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, or the national security interests of the United States; (i.e., 1) causes a severe degradation in mission capability to an extent and duration that the organization is able to perform its primary functions, but the effectiveness of the functions is significantly reduced; 2) results in major damage to organizational assets; 3) results in major financial loss; or 4) results in severe or catastrophic harm to individuals involving loss of life or serious life-threatening injuries.) Source: FIPS PUB 199 (adapted)

Also known ascritical impact · severe impact · catastrophic impact · high-risk · HI
2 sources cited4 related termsReviewed by Martins Ogundare · Aug 9, 2026
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015View source

Understand more election terms clearly

Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.

Free. One useful email each week. Unsubscribe anytime.Learn more about the ESG newsletter →
CNSSGC

High consensus

The loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability that could be expected to have a severe or catastrophic adverse effect on organizational operations, organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, or the national security interests of the United States; (i.e., 1) causes a severe degradation in mission capability to an extent and duration that the organization is able to perform its primary functions, but the effectiveness of the functions is significantly reduced; 2) results in major damage to organizational assets; 3) results in major financial loss; or 4) results in severe or catastrophic harm to individuals involving loss of life or serious life-threatening injuries.) Source: FIPS PUB 199 (adapted)

Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015 · 2024

Cite this term

Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). High Impact. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 3, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/high-impact

Sources

2 cited · last checked Aug 9, 2026

01

Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015
Committee on National Security Systems Glossary CNSSI 4009-2015

High consensus

View source

02

The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary

High consensus

View source

Get the weekly election term

Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.

Get election terms explained weekly →
Free · Nonpartisan · Unsubscribe anytime.
Continue Research

Keep going from here

Three ways to go deeper on cybersecurity and adjacent terminology.