Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) Practice Test

Which step of the OPSEC process involves identifying potential adversaries and their capabilities?

1. Conduct a Vulnerability Analysis

2. Conduct a Threat Analysis

3. Conduct a Risk Assessment

4. Apply OPSEC Countermeasures

The correct answer is: Conduct a Threat Analysis

The correct step in the OPSEC process that involves identifying potential adversaries and their capabilities is conducting a threat analysis. This stage is crucial because it focuses on understanding who might pose a threat to an organization or an operation. It entails recognizing potential adversaries, assessing their intentions, and evaluating their capabilities to exploit vulnerabilities. By carrying out a thorough threat analysis, organizations can prepare better and implement effective strategies to counter potential threats, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected. Conducting a vulnerability analysis, while essential in identifying weaknesses within the organization's own systems and processes, does not specifically target adversaries or their capabilities. A risk assessment, on the other hand, evaluates the overall risk associated with identified threats and vulnerabilities but does not directly focus on detailing adversaries' characteristics. Applying OPSEC countermeasures is about implementing strategies to mitigate risks but assumes prior knowledge of the threats and vulnerabilities first identified in earlier steps.