What is a potential downside of high latency in a network?

High latency in a network refers to the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer. When latency is high, data packets take longer to travel from the source to the destination. This delay can lead to various issues, especially in real-time applications, such as video conferencing, online gaming, or VoIP calls, where timely communication is critical. Users may experience lag, buffering, or interruptions in service, negatively impacting the overall user experience.

In contrast, improved connection speed, increased data security, and enhanced video quality are generally associated with lower latency. These options do not accurately describe the consequences of high latency, as they imply improvements rather than the delays and interruptions that high latency inevitably causes. Therefore, the correct identification of delays in data transmission as a downside highlights the impact that latency can have on network performance and user experience.