OSAC Country Security Report: What It Is & How to Access It in 2024

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the OSAC Country Security Report?
2. Key Sections Included in Every OSAC Country Security Report
3. Who Benefits Most from OSAC Country Security Reports?
4. Step-by-Step Access Procedures for OSAC Country Security Reports
5. Tips for Getting the Most Value Out of OSAC Reports
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7. Final Thoughts
8. References

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What Is the OSAC Country Security Report?#

OSAC is a public-private partnership founded in 1985 under the U.S. Department of State, created to share security risk intelligence between the U.S. government and private sector organizations operating internationally.

The Country Security Report is OSAC’s flagship publication, produced annually for 190+ countries and 150+ sub-national territories, with ad-hoc updates posted within 24-48 hours of major security events (e.g., coups, natural disasters, terrorist attacks). Reports are written by regional security analysts, U.S. embassy staff, and local law enforcement liaisons, making them far more granular and actionable than generic travel advice sites.

Two versions of every report are available:

• Public redacted versions: Free for all users, with high-level risk data suitable for most leisure and student travelers
• Unredacted restricted versions: Available only to eligible U.S.-affiliated users, with sensitive operational intelligence, non-public law enforcement data, and granular threat details for corporate and high-risk deployments

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Key Sections Included in Every OSAC Country Security Report#

Every CSR follows a standardized structure to make it easy for users to find relevant information quickly:

1. Country Basic Profile: High-level overview of government structure, political stability, population, and locations of U.S. diplomatic missions
2. Threat Rating Scale: 1-5 rating (1=low, 5=critical) for core risk categories: terrorism, violent crime, petty crime, civil unrest, kidnap for ransom, and political violence
3. Crime Overview: Details on common criminal activity (pickpocketing, scams, armed robbery, gender-based violence), high-risk areas to avoid, seasonal crime spikes (e.g., during holiday or festival seasons), and common tactics used by local criminals
4. Civil Unrest Guidance: Recent protest trends, common trigger events (elections, policy changes, labor strikes), demonstration hotspots, police response tactics, and step-by-step advice for what to do if caught in a public disturbance
5. Terrorism Risk Assessment: Active extremist groups operating in the country, historical attack patterns, common target locations (tourist sites, government buildings, religious venues), and current threat levels
6. Transportation & Infrastructure Safety: Road condition ratings, public transit safety risks, taxi scam warnings, airport security protocols, telecom and power grid reliability, and maritime port safety ratings
7. Health & Environmental Risks: Endemic disease warnings, healthcare access and quality ratings, required/recommended vaccinations, natural disaster risks (hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires), and food/water safety guidance
8. Local Legal Guidance: Summary of laws that frequently catch international visitors off-guard, including drug penalties, photography restrictions, LGBTQ+ rights protections, visa overstay rules, and customs regulations
9. Emergency Response Resources: Local emergency contact numbers, U.S. embassy/consulate after-hours contact information, vetted local medical evacuation providers, and approved private security firm contacts

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Who Benefits Most from OSAC Country Security Reports?#

OSAC CSRs are designed for a wide range of users, including:

• Global business teams and expats: HR teams relocating staff, corporate security teams assessing operational risk, and frequent business travelers preparing for trips
• Leisure and adventure travelers: Solo travelers, family groups, and visitors to off-the-beaten-path destinations looking for reliable safety advice
• Study abroad students and faculty: University program coordinators planning international trips, and students preparing for semester abroad programs
• Nonprofit and NGO workers: Humanitarian teams deploying to high-risk zones for disaster response or community support projects
• International event planners: Teams organizing conferences, sports tournaments, or corporate retreats in international locations

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Step-by-Step Access Procedures for OSAC Country Security Reports#

Option 1: Public Redacted Reports (No Registration Required)#

Public versions are free for all users globally, no eligibility verification needed:

1. Navigate to the official OSAC website at osac.gov
2. Hover over the Security Tools tab in the top navigation bar
3. Select Country Security Reports from the dropdown menu
4. Use the interactive world map or search bar to select the country or territory you need
5. Click Download Public Report to save the PDF to your device

Option 2: Unredacted Restricted Reports (Eligible Users Only)#

Unredacted reports are available only to U.S.-affiliated users, including U.S. citizens, U.S.-based businesses, U.S. nonprofits, U.S. educational institutions, and U.S. government employees and their affiliated international staff:

1. Navigate to osac.gov/register
2. Select your user type (individual, business, nonprofit, educational institution, government)
3. Submit required verification documentation:
   • For individual users: Valid U.S. passport number, U.S. driver’s license, or proof of employment at a U.S.-based organization
   • For organizational users: U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN) and proof of U.S. business registration
4. Wait for account approval, which typically takes 1-3 business days. Expedited approval is available for urgent requests if noted in your application
5. Once approved, log in to your OSAC account, navigate to Country Security Reports under the Security Tools tab, select your desired country, and download the full unredacted PDF.

Registered users also get access to real-time country-specific security alerts, OSAC’s global security professional community forum, and invitations to regional in-person and virtual security briefings.

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Tips for Getting the Most Value Out of OSAC Reports#

1. Cross-reference with other U.S. State Department resources: Pair OSAC reports with official State Department Travel Advisories and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time alert updates sent directly to your email
2. Download reports before you travel: Save a copy of the report to your phone and laptop, as internet access may be limited or restricted in your destination country
3. Check for updates regularly: OSAC posts ad-hoc updates to reports after major security events, so check the country page 24-48 hours before your departure for the latest information
4. Share relevant sections with your travel group or team: Ensure all members of your group are aware of high-risk areas, emergency contacts, and response protocols for common risk scenarios
5. **Use the report to build an emergency plan: Outline evacuation routes, emergency meeting points, and contingency plans for scenarios like civil unrest, medical emergencies, or lost travel documents

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q: Are OSAC Country Security Reports only for U.S. citizens?#

A: No. Public redacted versions are free for all users globally, and contain enough high-level safety information for most leisure and student travelers. Only unredacted restricted versions are limited to eligible U.S.-affiliated users.

Q: How often are OSAC reports updated?#

A: Formal full updates are published annually for every country. Ad-hoc updates are posted within 24-48 hours of any major security event that impacts risk levels in a country.

Q: Can I share OSAC reports with others?#

A: Public redacted reports can be shared freely. Unredacted restricted reports are for internal use only, and cannot be distributed publicly or to non-eligible users per OSAC’s terms of service.

Q: Do OSAC reports cover sub-national regions?#

A: Yes. Most reports break down risk ratings by city, region, and even specific neighborhoods, particularly for high-risk countries with variable safety levels across different areas.

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Final Thoughts#

OSAC Country Security Reports are one of the most reliable, unbiased sources of international safety intelligence available to the public. Whether you’re planning a two-week vacation, relocating for a year-long work assignment, or deploying a team to a high-risk humanitarian zone, these reports give you the data you need to make informed safety decisions and prepare for any scenario you may face abroad.

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References#

1. U.S. Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). (n.d.). Country Security Reports. Retrieved from https://www.osac.gov/security-tools/country-security-reports
2. U.S. Department of State. (2024). OSAC Eligibility & Registration Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.osac.gov/register
3. U.S. Department of State. (2024). OSAC Resource User Terms of Service. Retrieved from https://www.osac.gov/terms-of-service