security risk

American  

noun

1. a person considered by authorities as likely to commit acts that might threaten the security of a country.

---

security risk British  

noun

1. a person deemed to be a threat to state security in that he could be open to pressure, have subversive political beliefs, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of security risk

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

National Guard unit deemed his tattoos to be a security risk — citing concerns about “insider threats” — and he was not allowed to work the security detail for President Biden’s 2021 inauguration.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026

“All of this translates into a heightened security risk for Europe,” said Lange.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Last week Labour MP Emily Darlington told the BBC that having a "foreign tech company" involved with patient data in the NHS was "a major security risk".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

I made a judgment call based on information we obtained from the hotel, events I had witnessed in the days prior and the heightened overall security risk of our location.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

But now they’ll only let military personnel inside due to the security risk.

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff