What does OPSEC stand for?

• A. Operational Security
• B. Operational Safety
• C. Offensive Security
• D. Operations Security

Answer: (A)

OPSEC is the practice of protecting critical information by managing how operations are described and shared. The phrase expands to Operational Security, emphasizing safeguarding what a unit is doing, where it is, and when actions will occur, so adversaries can’t exploit that information. This focus on preventing information leakage about missions and capabilities is what makes Operational Security the correct term.

Operational Safety would concern physical safety and hazards, not information protection. Offensive Security refers to offensive actions in security contexts, which is a different concept. The plural form, Operations Security, isn’t the standard expansion used in doctrine; the accepted term is Operational Security.