A countermeasure is a measure or action taken to counter or offset another one. As a general concept it implies precision, and is any technological or tactical solution or system (often for a military application) designed to prevent an undesirable outcome in the process. The first known use of the term is in 1923. Countermeasures can refer to the following disciplinary spectrum: * Defense * Medicine * Materials engineering * Electro-magnetic engineering * Policing * Information technology * Law * Diplomatic security * Pollution prevention