Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) Practice Test

During which step of the OPSEC process are exercises and red teaming applied?

1. Conduct a Risk Assessment

2. Apply OPSEC Countermeasures

3. Conduct a Threat Analysis

4. Conduct a Vulnerability Analysis

The correct answer is: Apply OPSEC Countermeasures

The application of exercises and red teaming occurs during the step where OPSEC countermeasures are implemented. This phase is crucial as it involves actively testing and evaluating the effectiveness of the identified countermeasures. By employing realistic scenarios through exercises and red teaming, organizations can assess how well their OPSEC strategies hold up against potential threats. This hands-on approach helps in identifying weaknesses, refining tactics, and ensuring that the measures in place effectively protect sensitive information from adversaries. In contrast, conducting a risk assessment focuses more on identifying and evaluating potential risks without actively testing the chosen countermeasures. Conducting a threat analysis involves examining potential threats to the organization but does not typically engage in the direct application of exercises. Similarly, a vulnerability analysis identifies weaknesses in systems or processes but lacks the practical assessment aspect that exercises and red teaming provide. Therefore, applying OPSEC countermeasures is the stage at which these real-world evaluations are conducted to ensure robust protection against threats.