DEFCONs should not be confused with similar systems used by the U.S. military, such as Force Protection Conditions (FPCONS), Readiness Conditions (REDCONS), Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) and its future replacement Cyber Operations Condition (CYBERCON), and Watch Conditions (WATCHCONS), or the former Homeland Security Advisory System used by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
DEFCON tidak sama dengan sistem serupa yang dipakai militer A.S., seperti Force Protection Conditions (FPCONS), Readiness Conditions (REDCONS), Information Operations Condition (INFOCON) dan calon penggantinya Cyber Operations Condition (CYBERCON), dan Watch Conditions (WATCHCONS), atau bekas Homeland Security Advisory System yang dipakai Departemen Keamanan Dalam Negeri Amerika Serikat.