Operational Security (OPSEC) Basics
Apply OPSEC principles: identify critical information, analyze threats, and reduce exposure.
What is OPSEC?
Operational Security (OPSEC) is the process of protecting sensitive information from adversaries by identifying critical information, analyzing threats, and implementing countermeasures. Originally a military concept, it's now essential for security professionals, journalists, and activists.
The Five-Step OPSEC Process
The formal OPSEC process:
- Identify critical information — what must be protected?
- Analyze threats — who wants this information?
- Analyze vulnerabilities — how could it be exposed?
- Assess risk — what's the probability and impact?
- Apply countermeasures — reduce risk to acceptable level
All lessons in this course
- Browser Security Settings and Extensions
- Tracking, Cookies, and Fingerprinting
- VPNs: What They Protect and What They Don't
- Operational Security (OPSEC) Basics