"The galaxy can be roughly broken down into three categories: highsec, lowsec, and nullsec. High security areas are patrolled by CONCORD, and are basically safe to exist in. There are occasional terrorist acts, but CONCORD has a response time of about five minutes and a very big stick: most people with decent shields survive long enough for the cavalry to arrive, even in dire situations. Outside that, there are empire-policed low security areas: if you're near a gate or a station, you're probably safe, but if you're out in an asteroid belt you might run into pirates. Outside that, in the nullsec areas - you're on your own. That's the territory of Capsuleer nations, and few of them appreciate having strangers in their territory. This is wormhole space: it doesn't even have a proper security designation."