What is the first step in the OPSEC process?

Identifying critical information is the foundational step in the Operational Security (OPSEC) process because it establishes what information needs to be protected from potential adversaries. This initial phase involves determining which details, if exposed, could jeopardize the mission or the safety of personnel, assets, or operations.

By clearly defining what constitutes critical information, organizations can more effectively direct their OPSEC efforts toward safeguarding these assets. Without this understanding, subsequent steps, such as analyzing threats or vulnerabilities, would lack focus, potentially leading to misallocated resources or ineffective security measures. This step sets the stage for evaluating threats that could exploit the identified information and for determining appropriate vulnerabilities and countermeasures to mitigate those threats effectively.

The other steps in the OPSEC process build upon this critical understanding, emphasizing the importance of starting with a precise identification of critical information.