Description: This web-based course provides OPSEC Fundamentals for OPSEC Practitioners. The course will focus on the historical events that helped shape the OPSEC program, what OPSEC is and how it differs from military deception, relevant policies for implementing the OPSEC program, and how OPSEC is integrated with other security disciplines.
Course Resources: Access this course's resources
Learning Objectives: After completing this training students will be able to:
- Recognize the principles of OPSEC.
- Describe the historical events that helped shape the OPSEC program.
- Distinguish between OPSEC and military deception.
- Identify the main OPSEC policy documents.
- Describe how and why OPSEC is integrated with counterintelligence and all other security disciplines.
Disclaimer: In this course, we emphasize the importance of protecting critical information as a key component of Operations Security (OPSEC). It is important to note that critical informationrefers to specific facts about an activity, program, or operation that, if disclosed, could be used by adversaries to harm national security or disrupt operations. This is distinct from classified information, which is formally designated and protected by law or regulation. While classified information is inherently critical, OPSEC focuses on identifying and safeguarding all critical information, whether classified or unclassified, to prevent exploitation by adversaries.
This distinction is central to understanding the principles of OPSEC and its application across various scenarios.
Delivery Method: eLearning
Length: 60 minutes
Target Audience: The target audience for this training includes the following:
- Members of the United States military services
- Civilian employees of the Department of Defense (DOD)
- DOD Contractor employees
- Other employees of the U.S. government
- Others affiliated with the U.S. Government
Clearance Requirements: None
Requirements:
- Clearance Requirements: N/A
- Attendance Requirements: N/A
- Exam Requirements: Students must earn a passing score of 75 percent on the end of the course knowledge check to print a certificate of successful completion.
Prerequisites: N/A
Credits Recommended/Earned:
- ACE Credit Recommendation: (What's this?): N/A
- Professional Development Units per SPēD: PDUs are determined by length of course and IAW with current Certification Maintenance Guidelines
System Requirements: Check if your system is configured appropriately to use STEPP.
CDSE courses are intended for use by Department of Defense and other U.S. Government personnel and contractors within the National Industrial Security Program.