Which of the following is a common OPSEC countermeasure in maritime information operations?

• A. Encryption of sensitive information.
• B. Broadcasting all communications in clear text.
• C. Ignoring access controls.
• D. Disabling routine OPSEC training.

Answer: (A)

Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure is fundamental in maritime information operations. Encryption of sensitive information is the best countermeasure because it makes data unreadable to anyone without the decryption key, whether it’s in transit over ship-to-shore links or stored on devices. This is crucial for protecting routes, schedules, cargo manifests, and operational directives from interception, eavesdropping, or tampering, thereby reducing the risk of adversaries gaining actionable intelligence. The other options would undermine security: broadcasting in clear text exposes sensitive details and patterns; ignoring access controls leaves systems vulnerable to misuse; and disabling routine OPSEC training weakens awareness and preparedness. A robust approach pairs encryption with good key management, authenticated channels, and ongoing OPSEC education.