What does a high latency indicate about a network?

A high latency in a network is indicative of delays in data processing. Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination and back again. When latency is high, it suggests that there are significant delays in the transmission of data packets, which can adversely affect the performance of applications, especially those that require real-time communication like video conferencing or online gaming.

This delay can be caused by several factors, including but not limited to, network congestion, long distances between nodes, or inefficient routing protocols. Therefore, a high latency measurement typically points to issues that may lead to a suboptimal user experience, as users may experience lag or interruptions in their network activities.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately describe the implications of high latency. They suggest positive outcomes that are not necessarily related to the actual performance characteristics represented by high latency. Understanding the concept of latency is crucial for network diagnostics and optimization in information security and network management.