The OPSEC cycle is a structured process used to protect critical information. The variant of the question asks which element is NOT part of the cycle. Direct answer

• The step that is not typically considered part of the standard OPSEC cycle is identifying adversary actions to conceal their information and intentions. In OPSEC terminology, the cycle focuses on protecting one’s own information by identifying critical information, analyzing threats, assessing vulnerabilities, evaluating risks, and implementing countermeasures; it does not include actions aimed at hiding or concealing adversary actions from the defender.

Context and standard cycle

• Typical OPSEC steps include:
  • Identify critical information
  • Analyze threats
  • Analyze vulnerabilities
  • Assess risks
  • Apply countermeasures
• Some variations list five or six steps, but the core emphasis remains on protecting one’s own information rather than detailing adversary concealment actions.

If you’d like, I can tailor the explanation to a specific organization’s OPSEC framework or provide a quick-reference checklist for training materials.