Annex E
FIRE uses a six-point standardised severity scale. Severity must be reported at every phase. The step-change transition statements indicate the threshold between adjacent levels.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Nil | No observed or expected impact. The incident had no material effect on the entity's operations, services, data, or stakeholders. May include events investigated and found to be benign. |
| ▼ At least some impact is identified or expected | |
| Negligible | Very limited impact; easily absorbed within normal operations. No customer impact, no media attention, no financial loss, and no regulatory notification required. Business continues as usual. |
| ▼ Some customer impact or limited media coverage begins, or a regulatory notification threshold is approached | |
| Low | Limited impact that is manageable within existing capabilities. Minimal customer impact, limited or localised media attention, minor financial loss, and potentially some regulatory notification required at the local level. |
| ▼ Impact becomes material, regulatory notification is triggered, and active management is required | |
| Medium | Moderate impact requiring active management. Noticeable customer disruption, some media coverage, moderate financial loss, and regulatory notification is required. Internal incident management escalated. |
| ▼ Impact is widespread, material financial loss is incurred, and significant regulatory scrutiny follows | |
| High | Significant impact with widespread effects. Substantial customer disruption, significant media attention, material financial loss, and mandatory regulatory notification with heightened regulatory scrutiny. Senior management involved. |
| ▼ Systemic risk emerges, critical market infrastructure is affected, or multiple institutions are impacted | |
| Extreme | Severe, potentially systemic impact. Critical failure or disruption affecting multiple institutions, critical market infrastructure, or the broader financial system. Potential for systemic risk or contagion. Immediate regulatory intervention likely. |
See also: Impact Scales (Annexes J–M) — the four-dimensional impact assessment that feeds into severity rating.