OPERATIONS SECURITY
16 August 2004
OPERATIONS SECURITY
31 December 2003
OPERATIONS SECURITY
RE:AR 530-1, CH 1
Is the process of analyzing friendly actions pursuant to
military operations and other activities.
OPSEC maintains essential secrecy, which is the condition
achieved by the denial of critical information to adversaries.
 OPSEC is an operations function and not a security function
which protect classified information. At battalion level the S-3
is the staff proponent for OPSEC, he implements other OPSEC
measures to maintain surprise and security.
 OPSEC applies during peace, crisis, and war to all Army
operations and support activities.
VGT 1
5 STEPS IN THE OPSEC PROCESS
RE:AR 530-1, CH 3
1. Identification of Critical Information
2. Analysis of Threats
3. Analysis of Vulnerabilities
4. Assessment of Risks
5. Application of Appropriate Countermeasures
VGT 2
(1)Identification of Critical Information
para 3-4
The purpose of this step is to determine what needs
protection.
 Identify questions the enemy may ask (5Ws + 1H)
 Facts about your intentions, capabilities, limitations
 Commander’s EEFIs, samples in appendix C
 Information concerning protected person(s)
 Operational and Tactical information (OPORD)
 Test materials used in an academic environment
 Sensitive Information FOUO/Classified Information
Identify the length of time critical information needs
protection. The TF commander approves EEFI list.
VGT 3
(2)Analysis of Threats para3-5
The purpose of this step is to identify all vulnerabilities
and/or indicators.
A vulnerability exists when an adversary can collect an
indicator, correctly analyze the information, make a
decision, and take timely actions to degrade friendly
operations.
 Indicators are data derived from open sources or from
detectable actions that an adversary can piece together or
interpret to reach conclusions or estimates concerning
friendly intentions, capabilities or activities.
 Examine each part of the OPORD/FRAGO to find
OPSEC vulnerabilities/indicators.
VGT 4
THREAT COLLECTION EFFORTS
App E
Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
Overt, Covert and Clandestine
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) (New update)
Imagery Intelligence (IMINT)
Signal Intelligence (SIGINT)
3 TYPES OF INDICATORS
App B-1, B-2
1. PROFILE- Activity patterns and signatures that shows
how your activities are normally conducted.
2. DEVIATION- Profile changes which helps an adversary
learn about your intentions, preparations, time and place.
3. TIP-OFF- Actions that warn or shows an adversary of
friendly impending activity.
VGT 6
Characteristics of an Indicator
Signature= an identifiable trace or something that causes it to
stand out.
Associations= compares current with past indicator information
for relationship.
Profiles= other indicators that have not been observed or
detected.
Contrast= only needs be recognized not understood.
Exposure= duration, repetition, and timing of exposed indicator.
VGT 7
(3)Analyze the Vulnerabilities
para 3-6
The purpose of this step is to identify possible OPSEC
measures for each vulnerability/indicator.
OPSEC measures are methods and means to gain and
maintain essential secrecy about critical information using:
1. Action Control: Select a COA, impose restraints on
actions and determine the 5Ws +1H for actions necessary
to accomplish collective/individual tasks.
2. Countermeasures attack the adversaries collection efforts
using Diversions, Camouflage, Concealment, Jamming,
Deception, Police Powers and Force.
3. Counteranalysis provides a possible alternate analysis for
an indicator. Confuse the adversary analyst through
deception.
VGT 8
(3)Analyze the Vulnerabilities
para 3-6
The purpose of this step is to identify possible OPSEC
countermeasures for each vulnerability/indicator.
 Select two OPSEC countermeasures for each vulnerability/indicator.
 Some countermeasures interact and may apply to more than one
vulnerability/indicator.
 Assess the sufficiency of routine security measures (PerSec, PhySec,
InfoSec, ComSec). These will provide OPSEC countermeasures for
residual vulnerabilities/indicator.
VGT 9
(4) Assessment of Risks
para 3-7
This step is to select the OPSEC countermeasures for
implementation.
 The leader balance risking operational success/failure
versus selecting the right/wrong OPSEC countermeasures.
 Check interaction of select OPSEC countermeasures.
 Coordinate select OPSEC countermeasures with lateral
units and bring attach leaders into your briefings.
 The TF commander may decide on a “no-measures”
alternative.
VGT 10
(5)Application of appropriate countermeasures
para 3-8
Apply the select countermeasures, (directed by the TF commander
or recommended by PLD) to the operation or incorporate into plans
for future operations.
 Emphasize the adverse results if failure to maintain effective
OPSEC.
 Implement countermeasures first on indicators requiring
immediate action or as directed by the TF commander.
 Document the measures or state “no-measures” alternative.
 Monitor each countermeasures before and during execution,
evaluate effectiveness.
 Recommend to improve effectiveness of countermeasures or
select new measures when new vulnerabilities develop.
VGT 11
REVIEW
 Define OPSEC
 Define the 5 steps in the OPSEC Process
 Define the 4 Threats Capabilities
 Define the 3 Indicators
VGT 12