What are the risks associated with databases?

The technical risks decline the larger and more complex your database. The administrative and financial risks increase the larger and more complex your database. There will be other risks specific to a given database product, e.g., risks associated with Microsoft Access products differ from risks associated with Oracle products which differ from IBM DB2 products which differ from Software AG database products. One important risk to consider is public or industry perspective. If a database product is viewed as a mainstream standard with large market share, then even though that product may be technically inferior and more expensive to own, it will nevertheless be seen as the low risk option.