Which statement best describes operational security?

Operational security, or OPSEC, refers specifically to the processes and practices implemented to safeguard sensitive information from potential threats. This encompasses identifying critical information, analyzing threats, assessing vulnerabilities, and implementing countermeasures to protect that information. Effective operational security is essential for organizations to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, thereby ensuring that strategic and operational plans are not compromised.

Focusing on the security aspects, the statement rightly highlights that OPSEC is fundamentally about protecting information rather than simply achieving productivity, reducing costs, or being an afterthought. By emphasizing processes aimed at securing sensitive data, this answer captures the core purpose of operational security, which is to mitigate risks associated with information breaches and ensure that valuable information remains confidential and secure.