What term is used to denote a positive or negative change in operational security?

The term that denotes a positive or negative change in operational security is "event." An event in the context of operational security refers to any occurrence that may impact the security posture of an organization. This includes both positive changes, such as successfully thwarting an attack, and negative changes, such as security breaches or vulnerabilities being exploited.

Identifying events is crucial for monitoring and managing an organization's security. By logging and analyzing events, security professionals can discern patterns, assess risks, and respond appropriately to maintain or enhance security measures. This continuous process of evaluation helps in strategic decision-making for operational security practices.

Other terms, while related, have specific meanings that do not encompass the broader implication of a change in operational security. An incident typically refers to an occurrence that has caused or may cause harm, such as a security breach. An alert is a notification mechanism, often used to signal that a potentially harmful event has been detected, prompting investigation or response. An anomaly refers to a deviation from the normal operations and may indicate a potential issue but does not on its own denote a change. Hence, "event" best captures the duality of positive and negative changes in operational security.