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National Security Agency: Difference between revisions
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The ''' National Security Agency''' ('''NSA''') is an [[intelligence agency]] of the [[United States Department of Defense]], under the authority of the [[Director of National Intelligence]] (DNI). The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and [[counterintelligence]] purposes, specializing in a discipline known as [[signals intelligence]] (SIGINT). The NSA is also tasked with the [[Information assurance|protection]] of U.S. communications networks and [[information systems]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About NSA: Mission |publisher=National Security Agency |url=https://www.nsa.gov/about/mission/index.shtml |access-date=September 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918003311/https://www.nsa.gov/about/mission/index.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nakashima" /> The NSA relies on a variety of measures to accomplish its mission, the majority of which are [[clandestine operations|clandestine]].<ref>[[Executive Order 13470]] – [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf 2008 Amendments to Executive Order 12333] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113014752/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf |date=2018-11-13 }}, United States Intelligence Activities, July 30, 2008 (PDF)</ref> The NSA has roughly 32,000 employees.<ref name=nprschorr>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5176847&t=1631649030521 |date=January 29, 2006 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |first1=Daniel |last1=Schorr |work=NPR |title=A Brief History of the NSA |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915132002/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5176847&t=1631649030521 |url-status=live }}</ref> | The ''' National Security Agency''' ('''NSA''') is an [[intelligence agency]] of the [[United States Department of Defense]], under the authority of the [[Director of National Intelligence]] (DNI). The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and [[counterintelligence]] purposes, specializing in a discipline known as [[signals intelligence]] (SIGINT). The NSA is also tasked with the [[Information assurance|protection]] of U.S. communications networks and [[information systems]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About NSA: Mission |publisher=National Security Agency |url=https://www.nsa.gov/about/mission/index.shtml |access-date=September 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918003311/https://www.nsa.gov/about/mission/index.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Nakashima" /> The NSA relies on a variety of measures to accomplish its mission, the majority of which are [[clandestine operations|clandestine]].<ref>[[Executive Order 13470]] – [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf 2008 Amendments to Executive Order 12333] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113014752/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf |date=2018-11-13 }}, United States Intelligence Activities, July 30, 2008 (PDF)</ref> The NSA has roughly 32,000 employees.<ref name=nprschorr>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5176847&t=1631649030521 |date=January 29, 2006 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |first1=Daniel |last1=Schorr |work=NPR |title=A Brief History of the NSA |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915132002/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5176847&t=1631649030521 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
Originating as a unit to decipher coded communications in [[World War II]], it was officially formed as the NSA by President | Originating as a unit to decipher coded communications in [[World War II]], it was officially formed as the NSA by President Harry S. Truman in 1952. Between then and the end of the Cold War, it became the largest of the [[U.S. intelligence community#Organization|U.S. intelligence organizations]] in terms of personnel and budget, but information available as of 2013 indicates that the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) pulled ahead in this regard, with a budget of $14.7 billion.<ref name="wapoblack1"/><ref>[[James Bamford|Bamford, James]]. ''[[Body of Secrets]]: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency'', [[Random House Digital, Inc.]], December 18, 2007</ref> The NSA currently conducts [[mass surveillance|worldwide mass data collection]] and has been known to physically [[bugging|bug]] electronic systems as one method to this end.<ref>Malkin, Bonnie. "NSA surveillance: US bugged EU offices". ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', June 30, 2013.</ref> The NSA is also alleged to have been behind such attack software as [[Stuxnet]], which severely damaged [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's nuclear program]].<ref>Ngak, Chenda. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nsa-leaker-snowden-claimed-us-and-israel-co-wrote-stuxnet-virus/ "NSA leaker Snowden claimed U.S. and Israel co-wrote Stuxnet virus"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512124937/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nsa-leaker-snowden-claimed-us-and-israel-co-wrote-stuxnet-virus/ |date=2024-05-12 }}, [[CBS]], July 9, 2013</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bamford|first=James|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/?p=58188|title=The Secret War |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125144725/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/?p=58188|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=June 12, 2013|archive-date=January 25, 2014}}</ref> The NSA, alongside the CIA, maintains a physical presence in many countries across the globe; the CIA/NSA joint [[Special Collection Service]] (a highly classified intelligence team) inserts eavesdropping devices in high-value targets (such as presidential palaces or embassies). SCS collection tactics allegedly encompass "close surveillance, burglary, wiretapping, [and] breaking and entering".<ref name=lichtblau01>{{cite news |last=Lichtblau |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Lichtblau |title=Spy Suspect May Have Revealed U.S. Bugging; Espionage: Hanssen left signs that he told Russia where top-secret overseas eavesdropping devices are placed, officials say |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 28, 2001 |page=A1 |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/updates2/lat_spy010228.htm |archive-date=April 17, 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417230720/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/updates2/lat_spy010228.htm |access-date=April 1, 2015 }}</ref> | ||
Unlike the CIA and the [[Defense Intelligence Agency]] (DIA), both of which specialize primarily in foreign [[Clandestine human intelligence|human espionage]], the NSA does not publicly conduct [[Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)|human intelligence gathering]]. The NSA is entrusted with assisting with and coordinating, SIGINT elements for other government organizations—which are prevented by Executive Order from engaging in such activities on their own.<ref>''[[Executive Order 13470]] – [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf 2008 Amendments to Executive Order 12333] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113014752/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf |date=2018-11-13 }}, United States Intelligence Activities'', Section C.2, July 30, 2008</ref> As part of these responsibilities, the agency has a co-located organization called the [[Central Security Service]] (CSS), which facilitates cooperation between the NSA and other U.S. defense [[cryptanalysis]] components. To further ensure streamlined communication between the signals [[United States Intelligence Community|intelligence community]] divisions, the [[Director of the National Security Agency|NSA Director]] simultaneously serves as the Commander of the [[United States Cyber Command]] and as Chief of the Central Security Service. | Unlike the CIA and the [[Defense Intelligence Agency]] (DIA), both of which specialize primarily in foreign [[Clandestine human intelligence|human espionage]], the NSA does not publicly conduct [[Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)|human intelligence gathering]]. The NSA is entrusted with assisting with and coordinating, SIGINT elements for other government organizations—which are prevented by Executive Order from engaging in such activities on their own.<ref>''[[Executive Order 13470]] – [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf 2008 Amendments to Executive Order 12333] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113014752/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/WCPD-2008-08-04/pdf/WCPD-2008-08-04-Pg1064.pdf |date=2018-11-13 }}, United States Intelligence Activities'', Section C.2, July 30, 2008</ref> As part of these responsibilities, the agency has a co-located organization called the [[Central Security Service]] (CSS), which facilitates cooperation between the NSA and other U.S. defense [[cryptanalysis]] components. To further ensure streamlined communication between the signals [[United States Intelligence Community|intelligence community]] divisions, the [[Director of the National Security Agency|NSA Director]] simultaneously serves as the Commander of the [[United States Cyber Command]] and as Chief of the Central Security Service. | ||
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During [[World War II]], the [[Signal Intelligence Service]] (SIS) was created to intercept and decipher the communications of the [[Axis powers]].<ref name="army mil">{{cite web |title=Army Security Agency Established, 15 September 1945 |url=https://www.army.mil/article/110544/ |author=USAICoE History Office |website=army.mil |date=6 September 2013 |publisher=[[United States Army]] |access-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716133448/https://www.army.mil/article/110544/ |archive-date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> When the war ended, the SIS was reorganized as the [[United States Army Security Agency|Army Security Agency]] (ASA), and it was placed under the leadership of the Director of Military Intelligence.<ref name="army mil" /> | During [[World War II]], the [[Signal Intelligence Service]] (SIS) was created to intercept and decipher the communications of the [[Axis powers]].<ref name="army mil">{{cite web |title=Army Security Agency Established, 15 September 1945 |url=https://www.army.mil/article/110544/ |author=USAICoE History Office |website=army.mil |date=6 September 2013 |publisher=[[United States Army]] |access-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716133448/https://www.army.mil/article/110544/ |archive-date=July 16, 2020}}</ref> When the war ended, the SIS was reorganized as the [[United States Army Security Agency|Army Security Agency]] (ASA), and it was placed under the leadership of the Director of Military Intelligence.<ref name="army mil" /> | ||
On May 20, 1949, all cryptologic activities were centralized under a national organization called the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA).<ref name="army mil" /> This organization was originally established within the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] under the command of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]].<ref name=Burns>{{cite web |title=The Origins of the National Security Agency 1940–1952 (U)|last=Burns |first=Thomas L. |publisher=National Security Agency |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB278/02.PDF |website=gwu.edu |access-date=November 28, 2020 |page=60 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129024035/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB278/02.PDF |archive-date=November 29, 2020}}</ref> The AFSA was tasked with directing the Department of Defense communications and electronic intelligence activities, except those of U.S. [[military intelligence]] units.<ref name=Burns /> However, the AFSA was unable to centralize [[COMINT|communications intelligence]] and failed to coordinate with civilian agencies that shared its interests, such as the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]], the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) and the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI).<ref name=Burns /> In December 1951, President | On May 20, 1949, all cryptologic activities were centralized under a national organization called the Armed Forces Security Agency (AFSA).<ref name="army mil" /> This organization was originally established within the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] under the command of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]].<ref name=Burns>{{cite web |title=The Origins of the National Security Agency 1940–1952 (U)|last=Burns |first=Thomas L. |publisher=National Security Agency |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB278/02.PDF |website=gwu.edu |access-date=November 28, 2020 |page=60 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129024035/https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB278/02.PDF |archive-date=November 29, 2020}}</ref> The AFSA was tasked with directing the Department of Defense communications and electronic intelligence activities, except those of U.S. [[military intelligence]] units.<ref name=Burns /> However, the AFSA was unable to centralize [[COMINT|communications intelligence]] and failed to coordinate with civilian agencies that shared its interests, such as the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]], the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) and the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI).<ref name=Burns /> In December 1951, President Harry S. Truman ordered a panel to investigate how AFSA had failed to achieve its goals. The results of the investigation led to improvements and its redesignation as the National Security Agency.<ref name=NSApt2of3>{{cite web |title=The Creation of NSA – Part 2 of 3: The Brownell Committee |url=https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/crypto_almanac_50th/The_Creation_of_NSA_Part_3.pdf |website=nsa.gov |publisher=National Security Agency |access-date=July 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918015612/http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/crypto_almanac_50th/The_Creation_of_NSA_Part_3.pdf |archive-date=September 18, 2013 }}</ref> | ||
The [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] issued a memorandum of October 24, 1952, that revised [[National Security Council Intelligence Directives|National Security Council Intelligence Directive (NSCID) 9]]. On the same day, Truman issued a second memorandum that called for the establishment of the NSA.<ref name=Truman>{{cite web |title=Memorandum |author=Truman, Harry S. |url=https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/truman/truman_memo.pdf |website=nsa.gov |publisher=National Security Agency |date=October 24, 1952 |access-date=July 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821073605/http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/truman/truman_memo.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2013 }}</ref> The actual establishment of the NSA was done by a November 4 memo by [[Robert A. Lovett]], the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], changing the name of the AFSA to the NSA, and making the new agency responsible for all communications intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |first=Thomas L. |last=Burns |url=https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/cryptologic_histories/origins_of_nsa.pdf |title=The Origins of the National Security Agency |year=1990 |publisher=National Security Agency |series=United States Cryptologic History |volume=1 |pages=107–08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322122158/https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/cryptologic_histories/origins_of_nsa.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-22 |df=mdy-all |access-date=2016-08-23 }}</ref> Since President Truman's memo was a [[classified information|classified]] document,<ref name=Truman /> the existence of the NSA was not known to the public at that time. Due to its ultra-secrecy, the U.S. intelligence community referred to the NSA as "No Such Agency".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-such-agency-spies-on-the-communications-of-the-world/2013/06/06/5bcd46a6-ceb9-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html|title='No Such Agency' spies on the communications of the world|last=Anne Gearan|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-date=December 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225234416/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-such-agency-spies-on-the-communications-of-the-world/2013/06/06/5bcd46a6-ceb9-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | The [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] issued a memorandum of October 24, 1952, that revised [[National Security Council Intelligence Directives|National Security Council Intelligence Directive (NSCID) 9]]. On the same day, Truman issued a second memorandum that called for the establishment of the NSA.<ref name=Truman>{{cite web |title=Memorandum |author=Truman, Harry S. |url=https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/truman/truman_memo.pdf |website=nsa.gov |publisher=National Security Agency |date=October 24, 1952 |access-date=July 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821073605/http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/truman/truman_memo.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2013 }}</ref> The actual establishment of the NSA was done by a November 4 memo by [[Robert A. Lovett]], the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], changing the name of the AFSA to the NSA, and making the new agency responsible for all communications intelligence.<ref>{{cite web |first=Thomas L. |last=Burns |url=https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/cryptologic_histories/origins_of_nsa.pdf |title=The Origins of the National Security Agency |year=1990 |publisher=National Security Agency |series=United States Cryptologic History |volume=1 |pages=107–08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322122158/https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/cryptologic_histories/origins_of_nsa.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-22 |df=mdy-all |access-date=2016-08-23 }}</ref> Since President Truman's memo was a [[classified information|classified]] document,<ref name=Truman /> the existence of the NSA was not known to the public at that time. Due to its ultra-secrecy, the U.S. intelligence community referred to the NSA as "No Such Agency".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-such-agency-spies-on-the-communications-of-the-world/2013/06/06/5bcd46a6-ceb9-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html|title='No Such Agency' spies on the communications of the world|last=Anne Gearan|date=June 7, 2013|access-date=November 9, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-date=December 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225234416/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/no-such-agency-spies-on-the-communications-of-the-world/2013/06/06/5bcd46a6-ceb9-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||