FAS

DoD Doctrine on Operations Security

07.17.06 | 1 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

“Operations security” (OPSEC) refers to the practice of identifying and controlling information that could be exploited by a hostile observer to discern intelligence about U.S. operations.

“OPSEC is a methodology that denies critical information to an adversary,” according to a new Defense Department publication (pdf) on the subject.

“Unlike security programs that seek to protect classified information, OPSEC measures identify, control, and protect generally unclassified evidence that is associated with sensitive operations and activities.”

See “Operations Security,” Joint Publication 3-13.3, June 29, 2006.

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