INFOCON takes a readiness-based approach rather than a threat-based one, according to a 2006 DOD publication titled “Department of Defense Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) System Procedures.” The Joint Chiefs of Staff introduced the Cyber Condition (CYBERCON) system as a future replacement for INFOCON in 2015, according to a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction. Information Operations Condition (INFOCON), created in 1999, is a cybersecurity threat-level indicator.Individual military bases set varying levels of FPCONS depending on current threats, mission requirements and other variables. DeltaFPCON Charlie indicates that a threat or terrorist act “occurs within the commander’s area of interest,” and Delta indicates a terrorist attack has occurred or specific installations have received a threat, according to the DLA article.FPCON is a localized tool, not a DOD-wide readiness condition.A Defense Logistics Agency article lists these in increasing order of threat level, as: Force Protection Condition is the system U.S.Bush in 2002, was a color-coded system that included the following levels: The Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS), introduced by President George W.Elevated threat: A verified terrorist threat against the U.S.Imminent threat: A verified, specific and impending terrorist threat against the U.S.“These alerts include a clear statement that there is an imminent and/or elevated threat to the public,” according to DHS. You can find the most up-to-date alerts on the NTAS website. The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) alerts provide the public with information about terrorist threats.These systems indicate the risk of terrorist attack in the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security: The DEFCON system should not be confused with the National Terrorism Advisory System – which replaced the Homeland Security Advisory System in 2011 – or other threat warnings the DOD uses or has used in the past.

Note: “Other forces go to DEFCON 1 during an EMERGCON,” according to the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project.

Air Defense Emergency: An emergency where an attack on the U.S., Canada or military installations in Greenland “by hostile aircraft or missiles” are probable or in progress.

forces or allies in any area, confirmed either by the commander of a unified or specified command or higher authority, or an overt attack of any type on the U.S.

Defense Emergency: A defense emergency involves a “major attack” on overseas U.S.

» MORE: Veterans Can Buy a Home with $0 DownĪccording to the Navy’s SWO school command, there are two EMERGCONs:

Printable Defense Readiness Condition (DEFCON) Level ChartsĮmergency conditions, or EMERGCONs, are specific national threat levels that reflect the reaction to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) attack or potential attack, according to documents published by the Navy’s surface warfare officer (SWO) school command. Increased intelligence watch and analysis of the political/military situation in the area of tension, Regional tensions requiring greater vigilance. Increased regional tensions with possible U.S. The Joint Chiefs of Staff memo describes the five DEFCON levels like this: Readiness Condition Each indicates appropriate actions that commanders can take in response to the threat level, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff memo. forces in preparation for execution of contingency or emergency war plans,” according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff memo, “ Uniform Readiness Conditions.”ĭEFCON levels range from DEFCON 5, normal, to DEFCON 1, maximum readiness. The Defense Ready Condition (DEFCON) system indicates “situations of varying military severity (status of alert),” according to the Department of Defense “Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.” The Joint Chiefs of Staff developed the system in 1959 to “ensure timely, accurate and clear direction of commands” and to achieve “greater effectiveness of U.S.

Defcon system