The initial “biorisk” database used by the Common Mechanism draws only from existing, publicly available databases of sequences known to be associated with toxicity or pathogenicity. This list is further limited to only those sequences that are found in regulated, listed pathogens and toxins, such as those on export control lists. This limited biorisk database allows the Common Mechanism to flag sequences that are well established, transparently sourced, and represent some level of international consensus. As such, sharing the initial databases does not present a security concern.