The National Security Agency (NSA) is a United States intelligence agency within the Department of Defense, operating under the Director of National Intelligence. Established in 1952, the NSA specializes in global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes, with a focus on signals intelligence (SIGINT). Additionally, the NSA is responsible for protecting U.S. communications networks and information systems. To achieve its mission, the agency uses various measures, many of which are clandestine.
The NSA's mission encompasses cryptology, including both signals intelligence and cybersecurity. It provides intelligence to warn against cyber threats and develops cryptographic products and services. The NSA also partners with allies, private industry, academics, and researchers to strengthen cybersecurity awareness and collaboration. The agency has a co-located organization called the Central Security Service (CSS) to facilitate cooperation between the NSA and other U.S. defense cryptanalysis components and works to create a unified cryptologic effort with the armed forces. The director of the NSA simultaneously serves as the Commander of the United States Cyber Command and as Chief of the Central Security Service.
The NSA is entrusted with assisting and coordinating SIGINT elements for other government organizations. The agency maintains watch centers, including the National Security Operations Center (NSOC) and the NSA/CSS Threat Operations Center (NTOC). NSA is also known to be the largest employer of mathematicians in the world.
