What constitutes a system failure?

A system failure occurs when a computer or application is unable to perform its intended function, often resulting in a crash or disruption of service. This can be due to various reasons such as hardware malfunctions, software bugs, or unexpected errors that lead the system to become unresponsive or cease operations altogether.

In this context, a computer crash or application failure clearly fits the definition of a system failure because it indicates that the system has stopped functioning as expected. Users cannot access the services that rely on the system, which can have significant implications for productivity, data integrity, and security.

The other options represent scenarios that do not inherently indicate a system failure. A successful login attempt signifies that the system is operational and functioning properly. An unauthorized access attempt points to a security issue rather than a failure in the system itself. A data encryption failure may indicate a problem with data security, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the overall system has failed or is incapable of performing its primary functions.