security risk

American  

noun

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of security risk

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara has criticised Downing Street for apparently not flagging McSweeney's phone theft to the police as a security risk.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 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

Yet this doesn’t mean shutting the door to those who have followed the process and aren’t a security risk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 8, 2025

No one could memorize this layout in a day—perhaps not even in a week—and yet we weren’t allowed to bring our maps inside; they were thought to be a security risk.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover