A fiber optic connection system (10/182/252) comprising: a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable, the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable fixed axially with respect to the housing (24/170/214/260); the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a first shutter (36/206/238) that is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position wherein the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable is prevented from exposure by the first shutter (36/206/238); the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) that is slidably movable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second shutter ((22/100/172/212/242/258) biased to a closed position so as to prevent the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable from protruding from the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254); and a second connection component (16/132/152/162/178/180/196/204/228) that is configured to physically mate with the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) for the purpose of optically aligning the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable with at least one fiber of a second fiber optic cable, the second connection component (16/132/152/162/178/180/196/204/228) configured to move both the first shutter (36/206/238) and the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) to an open position when coupled to the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) for exposing the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable for optical alignment, characterised in that the housing (24/170/214/244/260) of the first connection component is defined by a connector inner housing, and the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) is defined by a shroud that is slidably movable with respect to the connector inner housing (24/170/214/244/260). a first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) terminating a first fiber optic cable, the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a housing (24/170/214/244/260) defining a longitudinal axis, at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable fixed axially with respect to the housing (24/170/214/260); the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a first shutter (36/206/238) that is slidably movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first shutter (36/206/238) biased to a closed position wherein the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable is prevented from exposure by the first shutter (36/206/238); the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) including a second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) that is slidably movable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, the second shutter ((22/100/172/212/242/258) biased to a closed position so as to prevent the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable from protruding from the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254); and a second connection component (16/132/152/162/178/180/196/204/228) that is configured to physically mate with the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) for the purpose of optically aligning the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable with at least one fiber of a second fiber optic cable, the second connection component (16/132/152/162/178/180/196/204/228) configured to move both the first shutter (36/206/238) and the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) to an open position when coupled to the first connection component (12/166/184/194/202/230/254) for exposing the at least one fiber of the first fiber optic cable for optical alignment, characterised in that the housing (24/170/214/244/260) of the first connection component is defined by a connector inner housing, and the second shutter (22/100/172/212/242/258) is defined by a shroud that is slidably movable with respect to the connector inner housing (24/170/214/244/260).