Operations Security (OPSEC) Concepts Flashcards
6 cards from real SFPC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Operations Security (OPSEC) Concepts flashcards as text
What is the concept of 'OPSEC as a mindset'?
Answer: Continuously thinking about what information could be harmful if it reached adversaries and acting to protect it
OPSEC as a mindset means continuously thinking about critical information protection in all activities, not just during formal planning or in response to specific threats.
What is 'open source intelligence' (OSINT) and why is it relevant to OPSEC?
Answer: Intelligence collected from publicly available sources, which adversaries can use to gather critical information
OSINT is intelligence gathered from publicly available sources. Adversaries can use OSINT to gather critical information about organizations, making it an important consideration in OPSEC planning.
What is 'compartmentation' in OPSEC?
Answer: Limiting access to sensitive information to those with a specific need-to-know to prevent compromise of the whole program
Compartmentation in OPSEC limits access to sensitive information to only those who need it for their specific tasks, ensuring that a single compromise doesn't expose the entire program.
Why is social media a significant OPSEC concern?
Answer: Social media allows inadvertent disclosure of critical information through posts, photos, and location data that adversaries can collect and analyze
Social media platforms allow people to unknowingly disclose sensitive information through posts, photographs (which may reveal sensitive locations or activities), and location data that adversaries can collect.
What is 'pattern analysis' in the context of OPSEC threats?
Answer: The adversary technique of identifying regularities in behavior that can be used to predict activities or reveal critical information
Pattern analysis involves an adversary identifying recurring patterns in an organization's activities, schedules, or behaviors that can reveal sensitive information about planned operations.
What does the acronym OPSEC stand for and what is its origin?
Answer: Operations Security, originating from Vietnam-era Operation Purple Dragon, designed to identify how the enemy was gaining advance knowledge of operations
OPSEC stands for Operations Security and originated from Operation Purple Dragon during the Vietnam War, which analyzed how adversaries were obtaining advance knowledge of friendly operations.