Precursor of Okhrana, or more properly Ochranka (охра́нка short for Охра́нное отделе́ние)* was Third Section of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery (Третье отделение Собственной Его Императорского Величества канцелярии) founded by Nikolai I in 1826.

• Okhrana means simply "guard" or "security" in Russian, while Ochranka is unofficial, but universally used name for that specific institution.