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{{Redirect|NSA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox Government agency
|agency_name = National Security Agency
|nativename =
|nativename_a =
|nativename_r =
|picture =
|picture_width =
|picture_caption =
|logo = Flag of the United States National Security Agency.svg
|logo_width = 150px
|logo_caption = Flag of the National Security Agency
|seal = National Security Agency.svg
|seal_width = 150px
|seal_caption = Seal of the National Security Agency
|formed = {{Start date and years ago|1952|11|4}}
|preceding1 = [[Armed Forces Security Agency]]
|preceding2 =
|dissolved =
|superseding =
|jurisdiction = United States
|headquarters = [[Fort George G. Meade|Fort Meade]], [[Maryland]], U.S. <br/>{{Coord|39|6|32|N|76|46|17|W|display=inline}}
|employees = Classified (30,000-40,000 estimate)<ref name=60yearsp3>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|format=PDF|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|accessdate=July 6, 2013|page=3}} "On November 4, 2012, the National Security Agency (NSA) celebrates its 60th anniversary of providing critical information to U.S. decision makers and Armed Forces personnel in defense of our Nation. NSA has evolved from a staff of approximately 7,600 military and civilian employees housed in 1952 in a vacated school in Arlington, VA, into a workforce of more than 30,000 demographically diverse men and women located at NSA headquarters in Ft. Meade, MD, in four national Cryptologic Centers, and at sites throughout the world."</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NSA growth fueled by need to target terrorists|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/nsa-growth-fueled-by-need-to-target-terrorists/2013/07/21/24c93cf4-f0b1-11e2-bed3-b9b6fe264871_story.html|work=The Washington Post|first=Dana|last=Priest|date=July 21, 2013|accessdate=July 22, 2013}} "Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, its civilian and military workforce has grown by one-third, to about 33,000, according to the NSA. Its budget has roughly doubled."</ref><ref name=Introv/><ref name="employees"/>
|budget = Classified ($10.8 billion, as of 2013)<ref name=wapoblack1>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/black-budget-summary-details-us-spy-networks-successes-failures-and-objectives/2013/08/29/7e57bb78-10ab-11e3-8cdd-bcdc09410972_story.html | page=3 |date=August 29, 2013 |accessdate=August 29, 2013 |first=Barton |last=Gellman |coauthors=Greg Miller |work=The Washington Post |title=U.S. spy network’s successes, failures and objectives detailed in ‘black budget’ summary}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/leaked-document-outlines-us-spending-on-intelligence.html?hp&pagewanted=all |date=August 29, 2013 |accessdate=August 29, 2013 |first=Scott |last=Shane |work=The New York Times |title=New Leaked Document Outlines U.S. Spending On Intelligence Agencies}}</ref>
|chief1_name = {{nowrap|[[General (United States)|General]] [[Keith B. Alexander]], [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]}}
|chief1_position = {{nowrap|{{small|[[Director of the National Security Agency]]}}}}
|chief2_name = [[John C. Inglis]]
|chief2_position = {{nowrap|{{small|[[Deputy Director of the National Security Agency]]}}}}
|parent_agency = [[United States Department of Defense]]
|child1_agency =
|child2_agency =
|website = {{url|http://www.nsa.gov}}
}}

The '''National Security Agency''' ('''NSA''') is the central producer and manager of [[signals intelligence]] for the [[United States]]. Estimated to be one of the largest of [[US intelligence community#Organization|U.S. intelligence organizations]] in terms of personnel and budget,<ref>[[James Bamford|Bamford, James]]. ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', [[Random House Digital, Inc.]], December 18, 2007</ref><ref name=wapoblack1/> the NSA operates under the jurisdiction of the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] and reports to the [[Director of National Intelligence]].

The NSA is primarily tasked with global monitoring, collection, [[codebreaking|decoding]], translation and analysis of information and data for foreign intelligence and [[counterintelligence]] purposes. The agency is authorized to accomplish its mission through [[clandestine operations|clandestine means]],<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], United States Intelligence Activities'', July 30, 2008</ref> among which is [[bugging]] electronic systems<ref>Malkin, Bonnie. ''NSA surveillance: US bugged EU offices''. [[The Daily Telegraph]], June 30, 2013</ref> and allegedly engaging in [[sabotage]] through [[Stuxnet|subversive software]].<ref>Ngak, Chenda. [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57592862/nsa-leaker-snowden-claimed-u.s-and-israel-co-wrote-stuxnet-virus/ ''NSA leaker Snowden claimed U.S. and Israel co-wrote Stuxnet virus''], [[CBS]], July 9, 2013</ref><ref>[[James Bamford|Bamford, James]]. [http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/?p=58188 ''The Secret War''], [[Wired (magazine)|Wired Magazine]], June 12, 2013.</ref> The NSA is also responsible for the [[information security|protection]] of [[Federal Government of the United States|U.S. government]] communications and [[information systems]].<ref name=Nakashima/>

Unlike the [[CIA]] and [[DIA]], both of which specialize primarily in foreign [[Clandestine HUMINT|human espionage]], the NSA does not have a human intelligence division, although it is often [[NSA in popular culture|portrayed so]] in [[popular culture]]. Instead, the NSA is entrusted with coordination and deconfliction of [[SIGINT]] components of otherwise non-SIGINT government organizations, which are prevented by law from engaging in such activities without the approval of the NSA via the Defense Secretary.<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], United States Intelligence Activities'', Section C.2, July 30, 2008</ref> As part of these streamlining responsibilities, the agency has a co-located organization called the [[Central Security Service]], which was created to facilitate cooperation between NSA and other U.S. military cryptanalysis components.

The [[Director of the National Security Agency|NSA Director]], who is at least a [[Lieutenant General (United States)|lieutenant general]] or [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]], also serves as the Commander of the [[United States Cyber Command]] and Chief of the [[Central Security Service]].

==History==
The predecessor of the National Security Agency was the '''Armed Forces Security Agency''' ('''AFSA'''), created on May 20, 1949.<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=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB278/02.PDF|format=PDF|accessdate=August 11, 2010|page=60}}</ref> 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 /> The AFSA was to direct Department of Defense communications and electronic intelligence activities, except those of U.S. [[military intelligence]] units.<ref name=Burns /> AFSA failed to achieve a centralized [[COMINT|communications intelligence]] mechanism, and failed to coordinate with civilian agencies that shared its interests (the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]], [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], and [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]).<ref name=Burns />

In December 1951, President [[Harry S. Truman]] ordered a study to correct AFSA's failures. Six months later, the four members finished and issued the Brownell Report, which criticized AFSA, strengthened it and resulted in 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=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/crypto_almanac_50th/The_Creation_of_NSA_Part_3.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> The agency was formally established by Truman in a memorandum of October 24, 1952, that revised [[National Security Council Intelligence Directives|National Security Council Intelligence Directive (NSCID) 9]].<ref name=Truman>{{cite web|title=Memorandum|author=Truman, Harry S.|url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/truman/truman_memo.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=July 2, 2013}}</ref> Truman's memo was later [[classified information|declassified]].<ref name=Truman />

===Insignia===
[[File:National Security Agency.svg|100px|right]]
The [[heraldic]] insignia of NSA consists of an [[bald eagle|eagle]] inside a circle, grasping a [[key (lock)|key]] in its talons.<ref name=FAQ9 /> The eagle represents the agency's national mission.<ref name=FAQ9 /> Its breast features a shield with bands of red and white, taken from the [[Great Seal of the United States]] and representing Congress.<ref name=FAQ9 /> The key is taken from the emblem of [[Saint Peter]] and represents security.<ref name=FAQ9>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/faqs/about_nsa.shtml#about9|title=Frequently Asked Questions About NSA: 9. Can you explain the NSA and CSS seals?|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=July 18, 2013}}</ref>

When the NSA was created, the agency had no emblem and used that of the Department of Defense.<ref name=Insignia>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/center_crypt_history/insignia/index.shtml|title=History of The Insignia|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=July 18, 2013}}</ref> The agency adopted its first of two emblems in 1963.<ref name=Insignia /> The current NSA insignia has been in use since 1965, when then-[[Director of the National Security Agency|Director]], LTG [[Marshall Carter|Marshall S. Carter]] ([[United States Army|USA]]) ordered the creation of a device to represent the agency.<ref>{{cite web|title=The National Security Agency Insignia|publisher=National Security Agency via Internet Archive|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080413063307/http://www.nsa.gov/history/histo00018.cfm|accessdate=July 18, 2013}}</ref>

===Memorials===
[[File:nsa memorial 1.png|thumb|135|right|National Cryptologic Memorial]]
Crews associated with NSA missions have been involved in a number of dangerous and deadly situations.<ref name=danger /> The [[USS Liberty incident|USS ''Liberty'' incident]] in 1967 and [[USS Pueblo (AGER-2)|USS ''Pueblo'' incident]] in 1968 are examples of the losses endured during the [[Cold War]].<ref name=danger>{{cite web|title=A Dangerous Business: The U.S. Navy and National Reconnaissance During the Cold War|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/_files/cryptologic_heritage/publications/coldwar/dangerous_business.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref>

The National Security Agency/Central Security Service Cryptologic Memorial honors and remembers the fallen personnel, both military and civilian, of these intelligence missions.<ref name=memorial /> It is made of black granite, and has 171 names (as of 2013) carved into it.<ref name=memorial /> It is located at NSA headquarters. A tradition of declassifying the stories of the fallen was begun in 2001.<ref name=memorial>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/memorial_wall/memorial_wall_list.shtml|title=National Cryptologic Memorial (List of Names) – NSA/CSS|publisher=NSA.gov|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref>

In 1999, NSA founded the [[NSA Hall of Honor]], a memorial at the [[National Cryptologic Museum]] in Fort Meade, Maryland.<ref name=SunHall /> The memorial is a "tribute to the pioneers and heroes who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to American cryptology".<ref name=SunHall /> NSA employees must be retired for more than fifteen years to qualify for the memorial.<ref name=SunHall>{{cite news|author=Staff|title=NSA honors 4 in the science of codes|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-06-13/news/0306130156_1_cryptology-hall-of-honor-pioneers|date=June 13, 2003|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref>

=== Mass surveillance disclosures ===
{{main|2013 mass surveillance disclosures}}

== Facilities ==

=== Headquarters ===
Headquarters for the National Security Agency is located at {{Coord|39|6|32|N|76|46|17|W|display=inline}} in [[Fort George G. Meade]], [[Maryland]], although it is separate from other compounds and agencies that are based within this same military installation. Ft. Meade is about {{convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Baltimore]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/Units/MarineCryptologicSupportBattalion/NewJoins.aspx|title=Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion: Intelligence Department: Fort Meade, MD: New Joins|publisher=United States Marine Corps|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> and {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of Washington, DC.<ref name=SundayTimes>"Just off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, about 25 miles northeast of Washington, is a secret city. Fort Meade, in suburban Maryland, is home to the National Security Agency – the NSA, sometimes wryly referred to as No Such Agency or Never Say Anything." and "It contains almost 70 miles of roads, 1,300 buildings, each identified by a number, and 18,000 parking spaces as well as a shopping centre, golf courses, chain restaurants and every other accoutrement of Anywhere, USA." in {{cite news|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Americas/article1271197.ece|title=Free introduction to: Who’s reading your emails?|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|date=June 9, 2013|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref> The NSA has its own exit off [[Baltimore–Washington Parkway|Maryland Route 295 South]] labeled "NSA Employees Only".<ref>Sernovitz, Daniel J. "[http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2010/08/23/daily33.html?page=all NSA opens doors for local businesses]." ''[[Baltimore Business Journal]]''. August 26, 2010. Updated August 27, 2010. Retrieved on June 11, 2013. "But for many more, the event was the first time attendees got the chance to take the "NSA Employees Only" exit off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway beyond the restricted gates of the agency's headquarters."</ref><ref>Weiland and Wilsey, p. [http://books.google.com/books?id=BywaW1f4iQ4C&pg=PA208&lpg=PA208&dq=%22national+Security+Agency%22+exit+%22Baltimore-Washington+Parkway%22&source=bl&ots=eMrBGdha_9&sig=IpSvN71sG0kSlBeYiQhdEwNBDq4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=reu2UcOpNome9QSV8oCYAQ&ved=0CFcQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22national%20Security%20Agency%22%20exit%20%22Baltimore-Washington%20Parkway%22&f=false 208]. "[...]housing integration has invalidated Montpelier's Ivory Pass and the National Security Agency has posted an exit ramp off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway that reads NSA."</ref> The exit may only be used by people with the proper clearances, and security vehicles parked along the road guard the entrance.<ref>Grier, Peter and Harry Bruinius. "[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0618/In-the-end-NSA-might-not-need-to-snoop-so-secretly In the end, NSA might not need to snoop so secretly]." ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]''. June 18, 2013. Retrieved on July 1, 2013.</ref> NSA is the largest employer in the U.S. state of Maryland, and two-thirds of its personnel work at Ft. Meade.<ref name=Barnett /> Built on {{convert|350|acre|ha sqmi|lk=off}}<ref name=Gorman>{{cite news|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=NSA risking electrical overload|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-08-06/news/0608060158_1_agency-power-surges-nsa|date=August 6, 2006|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> of Ft. Meade's {{convert|5000|acre|ha sqmi|adj=off}},<ref>{{cite news|author=Dozier, Kimberly|date=June 9, 2013|title=
NSA claims know-how to ensure no illegal spying|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nsa-finder-and-keeper-countless-us-secrets|work=Associated Press|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> the site has 1,300 buildings and an estimated 18,000 parking spaces.<ref name=SundayTimes /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-01-13/news/bal-ed.cybersecurity13jan13_1_cyber-security-cyber-command-national-security-agency|date=January 13, 2010|title=Geeks 'R' us|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref>

{{double image|right|National Security Agency headquarters, Fort Meade, Maryland.jpg|180|NSOC-2012.jpg|205|NSA headquarters building in [[Fort George G. Meade|Fort Meade]] (left), [[NSOC]] (right)}}

The main NSA headquarters and operations building is what [[James Bamford]], author of ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', describes as "a modern boxy structure" that appears similar to "any stylish office building."<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', [http://books.google.com/books?id=VqY4Wr3T5K4C&pg=PA489&lpg=PA489&dq=NSA+green+badge+blue+badge&source=bl&ots=Qfbe7vmHAz&sig=bRwa3DPr-sMn4My6mqdK5KHEtH8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ewq1Uc_sEvPK4AOOwYDIDA&ved=0CGQQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=NSA%20blue%20badge%20green%20badge&f=false p. 488]. "At the heart of the invisible city is NSA's massive Headquarters/Operations Building. With more than sixty-eight acres of floor space,[...]" and "Entrance is first made through the two-story Visitor Control Center, one[...]"</ref> The building is covered with one-way dark glass, which is lined with copper shielding in order to prevent espionage by trapping in signals and sounds.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488/> It contains {{convert|3000000|sqft|sqm}}, or more than {{convert|68|acre|ha}}, of floor space; Bamford said that the [[U.S. Capitol]] "could easily fit inside it four times over."<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488/>

The facility has over 100 watchposts,<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488489>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', p. [http://books.google.com/books?id=VqY4Wr3T5K4C&pg=PA489&lpg=PA489&dq=NSA+green+badge+blue+badge&source=bl&ots=Qfbe7vmHAz&sig=bRwa3DPr-sMn4My6mqdK5KHEtH8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ewq1Uc_sEvPK4AOOwYDIDA&ved=0CGQQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=NSA%20blue%20badge%20green%20badge&f=false 488]-489. "[...]one of more than 100 fixed watch posts within the secret city manned by the armed NSA police. It is here that clearances are checked and visitor badges are issued."</ref> one of them being the visitor control center, a two-story area that serves as the entrance.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488/> At the entrance, a white pentagonal structure,<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp490>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', p. 490. "And then there is the red badge—[...]and is normally worn by people working in the "Red Corridor"—the drugstore and other concession areas[...]Those with a red badge are forbidden to go anywhere near classified information and are restricted to a few corridors and administrative areas—the bank, the barbershop, the cafeteria, the credit union, the airline and entertainment ticket counters." and "Once inside the white, pentagonal Visitor Control Center, employees are greeted by a six-foot painting of the NSA seal[...]"</ref> visitor badges are issued to visitors and security clearances of employees are checked.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp489>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', p. 489. "It is here that clearances are checked and visitor badges are issued."</ref> The visitor center includes a painting of the NSA seal.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp490/> The OPS2A building, the tallest building in the NSA complex and the location of much of the agency's operations directorate, is accessible from the visitor center. Bamford described it as a "dark glass [[Rubik's Cube]]".<ref>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', p. 491. "From the Visitor Control Center one enters the eleven-story, million OPS2A, the tallest building in the City. Shaped like a dark glass Rubik's Cube, the building houses much of NSA's Operations Directorate, which is responsible for processing the ocean of intercepts and prying open the complex cipher systems."</ref> The facility's "red corridor" houses non-security operations such as concessions and the drug store. The name refers to the "red badge" which is worn by someone without a security clearance. The NSA headquarters includes a cafeteria, a credit union, ticket counters for airlines and entertainment, a barbershop, and a bank.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp490/> NSA headquarters has its own post office, fire department, and police force.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /><ref>[http://www.nsa.gov/careers/career_fields/others.shtml Career Fields/Other Opportunities/NSA Police Officers section of the NSA website]</ref><ref>T.C. Carrington, Debra L.Z. Potts, [http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/newsletters/Newsletter_Sept_1999.pdf "Protective Services-More Than Meets the Eye. An Overview of NSA's Protective Services"], ''[[National Security Agency Newsletter]]'', volume XLVII, No. 9, September 1999, pages 8-10</ref>

The employees at the NSA headquarters reside in various places in the [[Baltimore-Washington area]], including [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], Baltimore, and [[Columbia, Maryland|Columbia]] in Maryland and the District of Columbia, including the [[Georgetown, District of Columbia|Georgetown]] community.<ref name=ExploreNSA>"[http://www.nsa.gov/careers/life_at_nsa/explore.shtml Explore NSA]." ([http://www.webcitation.org/6HJVnrQ0n Archive]) National Security Agency. Retrieved on June 12, 2013. "Other Locations" and "Our employees live along the Colonial-era streets of Annapolis and Georgetown; in the suburban surroundings of Columbia; near the excitement of Baltimore's Inner Harbor; along rolling hills adjacent to working farms; near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay; and amid the monumental history of Washington, DC."</ref>

==== Power consumption ====
[[File:NeverSleeps 071310.jpg|thumb|right|Due to its incessant work, NSA is the largest electricity consumer in Maryland.<ref name=Barnett />]]
Following a major power outage in 2000, in 2003 and in follow-ups through 2007, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' reported that the NSA was at risk of electrical overload because of insufficient internal electrical infrastructure at Fort Meade to support the amount of equipment being installed. This problem was apparently recognized in the 1990s but not made a priority, and "now the agency's ability to keep its operations going is threatened."<ref name=Gorman-2006>{{cite news|author=Sabar, Ariel|title=NSA still subject to electronic failure|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-01-02/news/0301020300_1_outages-electrical-and-computer-agency|date=January 2, 2003}} and "Agency officials anticipated the problem nearly a decade ago as they looked ahead at the technology needs of the agency, sources said, but it was never made a priority, and now the agency's ability to keep its operations going is threatened." and "The NSA is Baltimore Gas & Electric's largest customer, using as much electricity as the city of Annapolis, according to James Bamford...." in {{cite news|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-08-06/news/0608060158_1_agency-power-surges-nsa|date=August 6, 2006|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=NSA risking electrical overload}} and {{cite news|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=NSA electricity crisis gets Senate scrutiny|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-01-26/news/0701260231_1_electricity-rockefeller-senate-intelligence-committee|date=January 26, 2007}} and {{cite news|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=Power supply still a vexation for the NSA|date=June 24, 2007|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-06-24/news/0706240110_1_national-security-agency-classified-electricity|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref>

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE, now [[Constellation Energy]]) provided NSA with 65 to 75 [[Kilowatt-hour#Watt hour multiples and billing units|megawatts]] at Ft. Meade in 2007, and expected that an increase of 10 to 15 megawatts would be needed later that year.<ref>"The NSA uses about 65 to 75 megawatt-hours of electricity, The Sun reported last week. Its needs are projected to grow by 10 to 15 megawatt-hours by next fall." in {{cite news|author=Staff|title=NSA electricity crisis gets Senate scrutiny|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-01-26/news/0701260231_1_electricity-rockefeller-senate-intelligence-committee|date=January 26, 2007|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In 2011, NSA at Ft. Meade was Maryland's largest consumer of power.<ref name=Barnett>{{cite web|url=http://www.gbc.org/Committee%20pages/Small%20Business%20Brief%20April%202011.pdf|author=Barnett, Mark L.|date=April 26, 2011|title=Small Business Brief|publisher=Office of Small Business Programs, NSA, via The Greater Baltimore Committee|page=3|format=PDF|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In 2007, as BGE's largest customer, NSA bought as much electricity as [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], the capital city of Maryland.<ref name=Gorman-2006 />

One estimate put the potential for power consumption by the new [[Utah Data Center]] at {{dollarsign|US}}40 million per year.<ref name=Wired-2012 />

==== History of headquarters ====
[[File:NSA-Fort Meade-1950.png|thumb|right|Headquarters at Fort Meade circa 1950s]]
When the agency was established, its headquarters and cryptographic center were in the Naval Security Station in [[Washington, D.C.]]. The COMINT functions were located in [[Arlington Hall]] in [[Northern Virginia]], which served as the headquarters of the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]'s cryptographic operations.<ref name=60yearsp15>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|format=PDF|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|accessdate=July 6, 2013|page=15}}</ref> Because the [[Soviet Union]] had detonated a nuclear bomb and because the facilities were crowded, the federal government wanted to move several agencies, including the AFSA/NSA. A planning committee considered [[Fort Knox]], but [[Fort George G. Meade|Fort Meade]], [[Maryland]], was ultimately chosen as NSA headquarters because it was far enough away from Washington, D.C. in case of a nuclear strike and was close enough so its employees would not have to move their families.<ref name="60yearsp10"/>

Construction of additional buildings began after the agency occupied buildings at Ft. Meade in the late 1950s, which they soon outgrew.<ref name=60yearsp10>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|format=PDF|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|accessdate=July 6, 2013|page=10}}</ref> In 1963 the new headquarters building, nine stories tall, opened. NSA workers referred to the building as the "Headquarters Building" and since the NSA management occupied the top floor, workers used "Ninth Floor" to refer to their leaders.<ref>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|format=PDF|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|accessdate=July 6, 2013|page=23}}</ref> COMSEC remained in Washington, D.C., until its new building was completed in 1968.<ref name=60yearsp10 /> In September 1986, the Operations 2A and 2B buildings, both copper-shielded to prevent [[eavesdropping]], opened with a dedication by President [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref name=60yearsp39 /> The four NSA buildings became known as the "Big Four."<ref name=60yearsp39 /> The NSA director moved to 2B when it opened.<ref name=60yearsp39>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|format=PDF|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|accessdate=July 6, 2013|page=39}}</ref>

==== Computing ====
In 1995, the [[The Baltimore Sun]] reported that the NSA is the owner of the single largest group of [[supercomputer]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cryptome.org/jya/nsa-sun.htm |title=No Such Agency Part Four – Rigging the Game |author=[[Scott Shane]] and [[Tom Bowman (journalist)|Tom Bowman]] |publisher=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=December 4, 1995 |accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>

NSA held a groundbreaking ceremony at Ft. Meade in May 2013 for its High Performance Computing Center 2, expected to open in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|author=Brown, Matthew Hay|title=NSA plans new computing center for cyber threats|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-05-06/news/bs-md-nsa-high-performance-computing-center-2-20130506_1_cyber-attacks-u-s-cyber-command-cyber-threats|date=May 6, 2013|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> Called Site M, the center has a 150 megawatt power substation, 14 administrative buildings and 10 parking garages.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /> It cost {{dollarsign|US}}3.2 billion and covers {{convert|227|acre|ha sqmi|adj=off}}.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /> The center is {{convert|1800000|sqft|ha sqmi|adj=off}}<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /> and initially uses 60 megawatts of electricity.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Security Agency: FY 2014 Military Construction, Defense-Wide|url=http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2014/budget%5Fjustification/pdfs/07_Military_Construction/11-National_Security_Agency.pdf|format=PDF|pages=3–4|publisher=Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), USA.gov|accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref>

Increments II and III are expected to be completed by 2030, and would quadruple the space, covering {{convert|5800000|sqft|ha sqmi|adj=off}} with 60 buildings and 40 parking garages.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander>{{cite journal|author=[[James Bamford|Bamford, James]]|title=The Secret War|url=http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/06/general-keith-alexander-cyberwar/all/|date=June 12, 2013|journal=Wired|publisher=Condé Nast|accessdate=June 12, 2013}}</ref> [[Defense contractor]]s are also establishing or expanding cybersecurity facilities near the NSA and around the [[Washington metropolitan area]].<ref name=Bamford-Alexander/>

=== Other U.S. facilities ===
[[File:Buckley AFB.png|thumb|Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado]]
As of 2012, NSA collected intelligence from four [[geosynchronous satellite|geostationary satellites]].<ref name=Wired-2012 /> Satellite receivers were at Roaring Creek station in [[Catawissa, Pennsylvania]] and Salt Creek in [[Arbuckle, California]].<ref name=Wired-2012 /> It operated ten to twenty [[telephone tapping|tap]]s on U.S. telecom switches. NSA had installations in several U.S. states and from them observed intercepts from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and Asia.<ref name=Wired-2012 />

NSA had facilities at [[Friendship Annex]] (FANX) in [[Linthicum, Maryland]], which is a 20 to 25-minute drive from Ft. Meade;<ref>{{cite web|title=Fort Meade|url=http://www.public.navy.mil/necc/ecrc/Pages/FortMeade.aspx|publisher=Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, United States Navy|accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> the Aerospace Data Facility at [[Buckley Air Force Base]] in [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]] outside [[Denver]], Colorado; NSA Texas in the [[Texas Cryptology Center]] at [[Lackland Air Force Base]] in [[San Antonio]], Texas; NSA Georgia at [[Fort Gordon]] in [[Augusta, Georgia]]; NSA Hawaii in [[Honolulu]]; the Multiprogram Research Facility in [[Oak Ridge, Tennessee]], and elsewhere.<ref name=ExploreNSA /><ref name=Wired-2012 />

On January 6, 2011 a groundbreaking ceremony was held to begin construction on NSA's first Comprehensive National Cyber-security Initiative (CNCI) Data Center, known as the "[[Utah Data Center]]" for short. The $1.5B data center is being built at [[Camp W. G. Williams|Camp Williams]], [[Utah]], located {{convert|25|mi|km}} south of [[Salt Lake City]], and will help support the agency's National Cyber-security Initiative.<ref>{{cite news|title=Utah's billion cyber-security center under way|author=Steve Fidel|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705363940/Utahs-15-billion-cyber-security-center-under-way.html|newspaper=Deseret News|date=January 6, 2011|accessdate=January 6, 2011}}</ref> It is expected to be operational by September 2013.<ref name=Wired-2012>{{cite news |url=http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/ff_nsadatacenter/all/1 |title=The NSA Is Building the Country's Biggest Spy Center (Watch What You Say) |last=Bamford |first=James |work=Wired| publisher=Condé Nast |date=March 15, 2012 |accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref>

In 2009, to protect its assets and to access more electricity, NSA sought to decentralize and expand its existing facilities in Ft. Meade and Menwith Hill,<ref>{{cite news|title=New NSA center unveiled in budget documents|url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12744661|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|publisher=MediaNews Group|author=LaPlante, Matthew D.|date=July 2, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> the latter expansion expected to be completed by 2015.<ref name=Norton-Taylor>{{cite news|author=Norton-Taylor, Richard|title=Menwith Hill eavesdropping base undergoes massive expansion|date=March 1, 2012|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/01/menwith-hill-eavesdropping-base-expansion|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News and Media|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref>

The ''[[Yakima Herald-Republic]]'' cited Bamford, saying that many of NSA's bases for its Echelon program were a [[legacy system]], using outdated, 1990s technology.<ref name=Muir>"It’s kind of a legacy system, this whole idea, the Echelon," Bamford said. "Communications have changed a great deal since they built it." in {{cite news|author=Muir, Pat|title=Secret Yakima facility may be outdated, expert says|date= May 27, 2013|url=http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestpoliticsnews/1142385-8/new-details-on-the-nsas-closure-of-its|publisher=Seattle Times|work=Yakima Herald-Republic|accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref> In 2004, NSA closed its operations at [[Bad Aibling Station]] (Field Station 81) in [[Bad Aibling]], Germany.<ref>{{cite news|author=Richelson, Jeffrey T.|title=Eavesdroppers in Disguise|date= August 2012|url=http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2012/August%202012/0812Eavesdroppers.aspx|work=Air Force Magazine|publisher=Air Force Association|accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> In 2012, NSA began to move some of its operations at Yakima Research Station, [[Yakima Training Center]], in Washington state to Colorado, planning to leave Yakima closed.<ref>{{cite news|author=Troianello, Craig|title=NSA to close Yakima Training Center facility|date= April 4, 2013|url=http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/1006429-8/nsa-to-close-yakima-training-center-facility|publisher=Yakima Herald-Republic|accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref> As of 2013, NSA also intended to close operations at [[Sugar Grove, West Virginia]].<ref name=Muir />
[[File:Menwith-hill-radomes.jpg|thumb|right|[[RAF Menwith Hill]] has the largest NSA presence in the United Kingdom.<ref name=Norton-Taylor />]]

=== International stations ===
Following the signing in 1946–1956<ref>{{cite web|title=UKUSA Agreement Release: 1940-1956 |url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/declass/ukusa.shtml|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=July 11, 2013}}</ref> of the [[UKUSA Agreement]] between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, who then cooperated on [[signals intelligence]] and [[ECHELON|Echelon]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/sep/14/privacy|author=Bamford, James|date=September 13, 2002|title=What big ears you have|work=The Guardian|accessdate=July 11, 2013}}</ref> NSA stations were built at [[GCHQ Bude]] in [[Morwenstow]], United Kingdom; [[Geraldton]], [[Pine Gap]] and Shoal Bay, Australia; [[CFS Leitrim|Leitrim]] and [[Ottawa]], Canada; [[Misawa, Aomori|Misawa]], Japan; and [[Government Communications Security Bureau#Waihopai station|Waihopai]] and [[Tangimoana]],<ref>Tangimoana listed in: {{cite web|title=Government Communications Security Bureau [GCSB]|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/world/new_zealand/gcsb/index.html|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=July 11, 2013}}</ref> New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://world-information.org/wio/infostructure/100437611746/100438659207/?ic=100446325241|title=ECHELON Main Stations|publisher=World-Information.org|accessdate=July 11, 2013}}</ref>

NSA operates [[RAF Menwith Hill]] in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, which was, according to [[BBC News]] in 2007, the largest electronic monitoring station in the world.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6916262.stm | work=BBC News | title=UK agrees missile defence request | date=July 25, 2007 | accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> Planned in 1954, and opened in 1960, the base covered {{convert|562|acre|ha sqmi}} as of 1999.<ref>{{cite news|author=Campbell, Duncan|date=December 6, 1999|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/136356|title=1980 - America's big ear on Europe|work=New Statesman|accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref>

The agency's European Cryptologic Center (ECC), with 240 employees in 2011, is headquartered at a US military compound in [[Griesheim (Hesse)|Griesheim]], near [[Frankfurt]] in Germany. A 2011 NSA report indicates that the ECC is responsible for the "largest analysis and productivity in Europe" and focusses on various priorities, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East and counterterrorism operations.<ref>Laura Poitras, Marcel Rosenbach and Holger Stark, [http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/germany-is-a-both-a-partner-to-and-a-target-of-nsa-surveillance-a-916029.html Ally and Target: US Intelligence Watches Germany Closely], August 12, 2013.</ref>

In 2013, a new Consolidated Intelligence Center, also to be used by NSA, is being built at the headquarters of the [[United States Army Europe]] in [[Wiesbaden|Wiesbaden, Germany]].<ref name=Spiegel-RT>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/edward-snowden-accuses-germany-of-aiding-nsa-in-spying-efforts-a-909847.html|publisher=Spiegel International|title= Snowden Interview: NSA and the Germans 'In Bed Together'|date=July 7, 2013}} and {{cite news|title=Snowden: NSA is ‘in bed with the Germans’|date=July 7, 2013|url=http://rt.com/news/snowden-nsa-cooperate-germany-755/|work=RT News|publisher=TV-Novosti|accessdate=July 8, 2013}}</ref> NSA's partnership with [[Bundesnachrichtendienst]] (BND), the German foreign intelligence service, was confirmed by BND president Gerhard Schindler.<ref name=Spiegel-RT />

== Organizational Structure ==
The NSA is led by the [[Director of the National Security Agency]] (DIRNSA), who also serves as Chief of the [[Central Security Service]] (CHCSS) and Commander of the [[United States Cyber Command]] (USCYBERCOM) and is the highest-ranking military official of these organizations. He is assisted by a [[Deputy Director of the National Security Agency|Deputy Director]], who is the highest-ranking civilian within the NSA/CSS.

NSA also has an [[Inspector General]], head of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), a [[General Counsel]], head of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and a Director of Compliance, who is head of the Office of the Director of Compliance (ODOC).<ref>These offices are for example mentioned in a [http://www.dni.gov/files/documents/PrimaryOrder_Collection_215.pdf FISA court order] from 2011.</ref>

Unlike other intelligence organizations such as [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] or [[Defense Intelligence Agency|DIA]], NSA has always been particularly reticent concerning its internal organizational structure.

=== Directorates ===
As of the mid-1990s, the National Security Agency was organized into five Directorates, each of which consists of several groups or elements:
* The Operations Directorate, which is responsible for SIGINT collection and processing.
* The Technology and Systems Directorate, which develops new technologies for SIGINT collection and processing.
* The Information Systems Security Directorate, which is responsible for NSA's communications and information security missions.
* The Plans, Policy and Programs Directorate, which provides staff support and general direction for the Agency.
* The Support Services Directorate, which provides logistical and administrative support activities.<ref>[http://www.fas.org/irp/nsa/oldind.html fas.org - National Security Agency]</ref>

At least three of these directorates have been renamed, as currently there are the following directorates:
* '''Signals Intelligence Directorate (SID)''', which is responsible for the collection, analysis, production and dissemination of signals intelligence. This directorate is led by a director and a deputy director.
* '''Information Assurance Directorate (IAD)''', which ensures the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of national security and telecommunications and information systems (national security systems).
* '''Research Directorate''', which conducts research on signals intelligence and on information assurance for the U.S. Government.<ref>[http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA501547 National Intelligence - a consumer's guide] (PDF) 2009, p. 34.</ref>

=== Groups, Divisions and Units ===
Each of these directorates consist of a number of groups, designated by a letter, like "A Group" or "T Group". Units of these groups have a designation which starts with the letter, followed by some numbers. For example, the NSA office that manages the SENIOR SPAN platform, attached to U2 spy planes, is known as G112, and the agency's Special Collection Service, which operates out of embassies, is F6.<ref>Marc Ambinder, [http://theweek.com/article/index/245360/solving-the-mystery-of-prism Solving the mystery of PRISM], June 7, 2013</ref>

In 1978, the CIA and NSA created a joint program known as the '''[[Special Collection Service]]''' (SCS) to facilitate clandestine activities such as [[bugging]] computers throughout the world, using the expertise of both agencies.<ref name=f6a>{{cite web|url=http://theweek.com/article/index/226723/inside-the-secret-world-of-americas-super-sophisticated-eavesdropping-spies|title=Inside the secret world of America's top eavesdropping spies|author=D.B. Grady}}</ref>

After president George W. Bush initiated the [[President's Surveillance Program]] (PSP) in 2001, the NSA created a 24-hour '''Metadata Analysis Center (MAC)''', followed in 2004 by the '''Advanced Analysis Division (AAD)''', which had to analyze content, internet metadata and telephone metadata. Both units were part of the Signals Intelligence Directorate. The classified codeword for information from the PSP program was [[Stellar Wind (code name)|STELLARWIND]].<ref>Marc Ambinder, [http://theweek.com/article/index/246277/3008-selectors 3008 Selectors], June 27, 2013.</ref>

From NSA documents leaked by [[Edward Snowden]] in June 2013, it became clear that the NSA has the following units for intercepting operations:

* '''Special Source Operations (SSO)''', which is responsible for domestic and compartmented collection programs (for example, the [[PRISM]] program).<ref name="theweek.com">Marc Ambinder, [http://theweek.com/article/index/245408/how-a-single-it-tech-could-spy-on-the-world How a single IT tech could spy on the world], June 10, 2013</ref> Special Source Operations is also mentioned in connection to the [[Fairview (surveillance program)|FAIRVIEW]] collection program.<ref>The Special Source Operations logo can be seen on [http://electrospaces.blogspot.nl/2013/07/new-slides-about-nsa-collection-programs.html slides about the FAIRVIEW program].</ref>

* '''Global Access Operations (GAO)''', which is responsible for intercepts from satellites and other international SIGINT platforms.<ref name="theweek.com"/> A tool which details and maps the information collected by this unit is code-named [[Boundless Informant|BOUNDLESSINFORMANT]].

* '''[[Office of Tailored Access Operations|Tailored Access Operations (TAO)]]''', which hacks into foreign computers to conduct cyber-espionage and reportedly is "the largest and arguably the most important component of the NSA's huge Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) Directorate, consisting of over 1,000 military and civilian computer hackers, intelligence analysts, targeting specialists, computer hardware and software designers, and electrical engineers."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Aid|first=Matthew M.|title=Inside the NSA's Ultra-Secret China Hacking Group|journal=Foreign Policy|date=10th|year=2013|month=June|url=http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/06/10/inside_the_nsa_s_ultra_secret_china_hacking_group?page=0,0|accessdate=11 June 2013}}</ref>

There's also an office of '''Information Sharing Services (ISS)''', lead by a chief and a deputy chief.<ref>This is mentioned in a [http://www.dni.gov/files/documents/PrimaryOrder_Collection_215.pdf FISA court order] from 2011.</ref>

=== Watch centers ===
The NSA maintains at least two watch centers:

* '''[[National Security Operations Center|National Security Operations Center (NSOC)]]''', which is the NSA's current operations center and focal point for time-sensitive SIGINT reporting for the United States SIGINT System (USSS). This center was established in 1968 as the National SIGINT Watch Center (NSWC) and renamed into National SIGINT Operations Center (NSOC) in 1973. This "nerve center of the NSA" got its current name in 1996.<ref>Top Level Telecommunications: [http://electrospaces.blogspot.com/2012/12/pictures-at-nsas-60th-anniversary.html Pictures at the NSA's 60th anniversary]</ref>

* '''NSA/CSS Threat Operations Center (NTOC)''', which is the primary NSA/CSS partner for Department of Homeland Security response to cyber incidents. The NTOC establishes real-time network awareness and threat characterization capabilities to forecast, alert, and attribute malicious activity and enable the coordination of Computer Network Operations.<ref>IT Law Wiki: [http://itlaw.wikia.com/wiki/NSA/CSS_Threat_Operations_Center NSA/CSS Threat Operations Center]</ref>

=== Employees ===
The number of NSA employees is officially classified<ref name=Introv>"[http://fcw.com/blogs/circuit/2012/04/fedsmc-chris-inglis-federal-workforce.aspx Introverted? Then NSA wants you.]" ''[[FCW]]''. April 2012. Retrieved on July 1, 2013.</ref> but in 2012, the NSA said more than 30,000 employees work at Ft. Meade and other facilities.<ref name=60yearsp3 /> In 2012 [[John C. Inglis]], the deputy director, said that the total number of NSA employees is "somewhere between 37,000 and one billion" as a joke,<ref name=Introv/> and stated that the agency is "probably the biggest employer of [[introvert]]s."<ref name=Introv/> In 2013 ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' stated that the NSA had 40,000 employees.<ref name="employees">{{cite web |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/prism-leak-inside-the-controversial-us-data-surveillance-program-a-904761.html |title=Prism Exposed: Data Surveillance with Global Implications |page=2 |publisher=Spiegel Online International |date=June 10, 2013}} "How can an intelligence agency, even one as large and well-staffed as the NSA with its 40,000 employees, work meaningfully with such a flood of information?"</ref> More widely, it has been described as the world's largest single employer of [[mathematicians]].<ref>{{cite speech|title=Statement for the Record|author=Harvey A. Davis|first=Harvey|last=Davis|date=March 12, 2002|location=342 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.|url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/speeches_testimonies/12mar02.shtml|accessdate=November 24, 2009}}</ref> Some NSA employees form part of the workforce of the [[National Reconnaissance Office]] (NRO), the agency that provides the NSA with satellite [[signals intelligence]].

As of 2013 about 1,000 [[system administrator]]s work for the NSA.<ref name=DrewSengupta /> [[Edward Snowden]]'s leaking of [[PRISM]] in 2013 caused the NSA to institute a "[[two-man rule]]" where two system administrators are required to be present when one accesses certain sensitive information.<ref name=DrewSengupta>{{cite news|author=Drew, Christopher and Somini Sengupta|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/technology/nsa-leak-puts-focus-on-system-administrators.html|title=N.S.A. Leak Puts Focus on System Administrators|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 24, 2013|accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

==== Polygraphing ====
[[File:DOD polygraph brochure.pdf|thumb|180px|NSA polygraph brochure]]
The NSA conducts [[polygraph]] tests of employees. For new employees, the tests are meant to discover enemy spies who are applying to the NSA and to uncover any information that could make an applicant pliant to coercion.<ref name=Bauer359>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=EBkEGAOlCDsC&pg=PA359|author=Bauer, Craig P.|title=Secret History: The Story of Cryptology|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9781466561861|year=2013|page=359}}</ref> As part of the latter, historically ''EPQs'' or "embarrassing personal questions" about sexual behavior had been included in the NSA polygraph.<ref name=Bauer359/> The NSA also conducts five-year periodic reinvestigation polygraphs of employees, focusing on counterintelligence programs. In addition the NSA conducts aperiodic polygraph investigations in order to find spies and leakers; those who refuse to take them may receive "termination of employment", according to a 1982 memorandum from the director of the NSA.

[[File:NSApolygraphvideo.webm|thumb|left|180px|NSA-produced video on the polygraph process]]
There are also "special access examination" polygraphs for employees who wish to work in highly sensitive areas, and those polygraphs cover counterintelligence questions and some questions about behavior.<ref name=BamfordBodyp538>{{cite book|author=[[James Bamford|Bamford]]|title=''[[Body of Secrets]]''|page=[http://books.google.com/books?id=VqY4Wr3T5K4C&pg=PA538&dq=NSA+polygraph+spy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oibYUdOTL4q69QSvioCQBQ&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=NSA%20polygraph%20spy&f=false 538]}}</ref> NSA's brochure states that the average test length is between two and four hours.<ref name=NSApolybrochure>{{cite web|title=Your Polygraph Examination: An Important Appointment to Keep|url=http://www.nsa.gov/careers/_files/poly_brochure_final2.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=June 17, 2013}}</ref> A 1983 report of the [[Office of Technology Assessment]] stated that "It appears that the NSA [National Security Agency] (and possibly CIA) use the polygraph not to determine deception or truthfulness per se, but as a technique of interrogation to encourage admissions."<ref>{{cite web|author=McCarthy, Susan|title=The truth about the polygraph|url=http://www.salon.com/2000/03/02/polygraph/|publisher=''[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]''|accessdate=July 5, 2013}}</ref> Sometimes applicants in the polygraph process confess to committing felonies such as murder, rape, and selling of illegal drugs. Between 1974 and 1979, of the 20,511 job applicants who took polygraph tests, 695 (3.4%) confessed to previous felony crimes; almost all of those crimes had been undetected.<ref name=Bauer359/>

In 2010 the NSA produced a video explaining its polygraph process.<ref name=Nageshvideo>{{cite news|author=Nagesh, Gautham|url=http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/102963-nsa-video-comes-clean-on-polygraph-use|title=NSA video tries to dispel fear about polygraph use during job interviews|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=June 14, 2010|accessdate=June 15, 2013}}</ref> The video, ten minutes long, is titled "The Truth About the Polygraph" and was posted to the website of the [[Defense Security Service]]. Jeff Stein of the ''[[Washington Post]]'' said that the video portrays "various applicants, or actors playing them -- it’s not clear -- describing everything bad they had heard about the test, the implication being that none of it is true."<ref name=Steinpolygraph>Stein, Jeff. "[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/spy-talk/2010/06/facing_nsas_lie_detector_relax.html NSA lie detectors no sweat, video says]." ''[[Washington Post]]''. June 14, 2010. Retrieved on July 5, 2013.</ref> AntiPolygraph.org argues that the NSA-produced video omits some information about the polygraph process; it produced a video responding to the NSA video.<ref name="Nageshvideo"/> George Maschke, the founder of the website, accused the NSA polygraph video of being "[[Orwellian]]".<ref name=Steinpolygraph/>

==Operations==

===Mission===
NSA's [[eavesdropping]] mission includes radio broadcasting, both from various organizations and individuals, the Internet, telephone calls, and other intercepted forms of communication. Its secure communications mission includes military, diplomatic, and all other sensitive, confidential or secret government communications.<ref>{{cite news|author=Bamford, James|title=The Agency That Could Be Big Brother|date=December 25, 2005|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/25/weekinreview/25bamford.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=September 11, 2005}}</ref>

According to the ''[[Washington Post]]'', "[e]very day, collection systems at the National Security Agency intercept and store 1.7 billion e-mails, phone calls and other types of communications. The NSA sorts a fraction of those into 70 separate databases."<ref>[[Dana Priest|Priest, Dana]] and [[William Arkin|Arkin, William]], [http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret-america/articles/a-hidden-world-growing-beyond-control/3/ A hidden world, growing beyond control], ''[[Washington Post]]''</ref>

Because of its listening task, NSA/CSS has been heavily involved in [[Cryptanalysis|cryptanalytic]] research, continuing the work of predecessor agencies which had broken many World War II [[code (cryptography)|codes]] and [[cipher]]s (see, for instance, [[Purple (cipher machine)|Purple]], [[Venona project]], and [[JN-25]]).

In 2004, NSA [[Central Security Service]] and the [[National Cyber Security Division]] of the [[Department of Homeland Security]] (DHS) agreed to expand NSA Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education Program.<ref>{{cite press release|title=National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Form New Partnership to Increase National Focus on Cyber Security Education|url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/press_room/2004/nsa_dhs_new_partnership.shtml|publisher=NSA Public and Media Affairs|accessdate=July 4, 2008| date=April 22, 2004}}</ref>

As part of the National Security [[Presidential Directive]] 54/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 23 (NSPD 54), signed on January 8, 2008 by President Bush, the NSA became the lead agency to monitor and protect all of the federal government's computer networks from [[cyber-terrorism]].<ref name=Nakashima>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/25/AR2008012503261_pf.html|title=Bush Order Expands Network Monitoring: Intelligence Agencies to Track Intrusions|author=Ellen Nakashima|work=The Washington Post|date=January 26, 2008|accessdate=February 9, 2008}}</ref>

===Echelon===
{{Main|ECHELON}}
Echelon was created in the incubator of the [[Cold War]].<ref>Hager 1996, p. 55</ref> Today it is a [[legacy system]], and several NSA stations are closing.<ref name=Muir />

NSA/CSS, in combination with the equivalent agencies in the United Kingdom ([[Government Communications Headquarters]]), Canada ([[Communications Security Establishment]]), Australia ([[Defence Signals Directorate]]), and New Zealand ([[Government Communications Security Bureau]]), otherwise known as the [[UKUSA Agreement|UKUSA]] group,<ref name=ukusa>Richelson, Jeffrey T.; Ball, Desmond (1985). ''The Ties That Bind: Intelligence Cooperation Between the UKUSA Countries''. London: [[Allen & Unwin]]. ISBN 0-04-327092-1</ref> was reported to be in command of the operation of the so-called [[ECHELON|Echelon]] system. Its capabilities were suspected to include the ability to monitor a large proportion of the world's transmitted civilian telephone, fax and data traffic.<ref>Patrick S. Poole, Echelon: America's Secret Global Surveillance Network (Washington, D.C.: [[Free Congress Foundation]], October 1998)</ref>

During the early 1970s, the first of what became more than eight large satellite communications dishes were installed at Menwith Hill.<ref>[http://cryptome.org/echelon-60min.htm Echelon"], ''60 Minutes'', February 27, 2000</ref> Investigative journalist [[Duncan Campbell (journalist)|Duncan Campbell]] reported in 1988 on the [[ECHELON|Echelon]] surveillance program, an extension of the [[UKUSA Agreement]] on global signals intelligence [[SIGINT]], and detailed how the eavesdropping operations worked.<ref name=CampbellListening1988>{{citation|last=Campbell|first=Duncan|authorlink=Duncan Campbell (journalist)|title=They've Got It Taped|newspaper=[[New Statesman]] via duncancampbell.org
|date=August 12, 1988|url=http://www.duncancampbell.org/menu/journalism/newstatesman/newstatesman-1988/They%27ve%20got%20it%20taped.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=June 19, 2007}}</ref> In November 3, 1999 the BBC reported that they had confirmation from the Australian Government of the existence of a powerful "global spying network" code-named Echelon, that could "eavesdrop on every single phone call, fax or e-mail, anywhere on the planet" with Britain and the United States as the chief protagonists. They confirmed that Menwith Hill was "linked directly to the headquarters of the US National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade in Maryland".<ref name=BBC3nov1999>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Bomford|date=November 3, 1999|title=Echelon spy network revealed|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/503224.stm|accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref>

NSA's United States Signals Intelligence Directive 18 (USSID 18) strictly prohibited the interception or collection of information about "... U.S. persons, entities, corporations or organizations...." without explicit written legal permission from the [[United States Attorney General]] when the subject is located abroad, or the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court]] when within U.S. borders. Alleged Echelon-related activities, including its use for motives other than national security, including political and [[industrial espionage]], received criticism from countries outside the UKUSA alliance.<ref name=EP>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/program/process/rapport_echelon_en.pdf|format=PDF|title=European Parliament Report on Echelon|year=2001|month=July|accessdate=July 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cryptome.org/echelon-nh.htm|title=Nicky Hager Appearance before the European Parliament Echelon Committee|year=2001|month=April |work=[[Nicky Hager]] / [[Cryptome Archive]]|accessdate=July 4, 2008}}</ref>

===Data mining===
[[File:Berlin 2013 PRISM Demo.jpg|thumb|Protesters against NSA data mining in [[Berlin]] wearing [[Bradley Manning]] and [[Edward Snowden]] masks.]]
{{Main|PRISM (surveillance program)|Data mining|analytics|information extraction|data analysis}}
NSA is reported to use its computing capability to analyze "transactional" data that it regularly acquires from other government agencies, which gather it under their own jurisdictional authorities. As part of this effort, NSA now monitors huge volumes of records of domestic emails and Internet searches as well as bank transfers, credit-card transactions and travel and telephone records, according to current and former intelligence officials interviewed by ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120511973377523845.html |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090124141023/http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB120511973377523845.html |archivedate=2009-01-24 |title=NSA's Domestic Spying Grows As Agency Sweeps Up Data |first=Siobahn|last=Gorman|publisher=The Wall Street Journal Online|date=March 10, 2008|accessdate=February 19, 2013 2008}}</ref> Reportedly, the majority of emails in or out of the USA are captured at "selected communications links" and automatically analyzed for keywords or other "selectors".<ref name="SavageBroaderSifting">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/08/us/broader-sifting-of-data-abroad-is-seen-by-nsa.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&|title=N.S.A. Said to Search Content of Messages to and From U.S|author=Savage, Charlie|date=August 8, 2013|accessdate=August 13, 2013}}</ref>

The NSA began the [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]] electronic surveillance and [[data mining]] program in 2007.<ref name="WaPo1">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html?hpid=z1|title=U.S. intelligence mining data from nine U.S. Internet companies in broad secret program |publisher=The Washington Post |date= |accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Greenwald1>{{cite news|last=Greenwald|first=Glenn|title=NSA taps in to internet giants' systems to mine user data, secret files reveal|work=The Guardian|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data|accessdate=June 6, 2013|date=June 6, 2013}}</ref> [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]] gathers communications data on foreign targets from nine major U.S. internet-based communication service providers: [[Microsoft]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Microsoft handed the NSA access to encrypted messages|work=The Guardian|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/11/microsoft-nsa-collaboration-user-data|accessdate=September 7, 2013|date=July 12, 2013}}</ref>, [[Yahoo]], [[Google]], [[Facebook]], [[PalTalk]], [[AOL]], [[Skype]], [[YouTube]] and [[Apple Inc|Apple]]. Data gathered include email, video and voice chat, videos, photos, [[VoIP]] chats such as Skype, and file transfers. Another program, [[Boundless Informant]], employs [[big data]] databases, [[cloud computing]] technology, and [[Free and Open Source Software]] (FOSS) to analyze data collected worldwide by the NSA, including that gathered by way of the [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]] program.<ref>[[The Guardian]], June 8, 2013</ref>{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

The Real Time Regional Gateway was a data collection program introduced in 2005 in Iraq by NSA during the [[Iraq War]]. It consisted of gathering all Iraqi electronic communication, storing it, then searching and otherwise analyzing it. It was effective in providing information about Iraqi insurgents who had eluded less comprehensive techniques.<ref name=WP71413>{{cite news|title=For NSA chief, terrorist threat drives passion to 'collect it all,' observers say|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/for-nsa-chief-terrorist-threat-drives-passion-to-collect-it-all/2013/07/14/3d26ef80-ea49-11e2-a301-ea5a8116d211_story.html|accessdate=July 15, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 14, 2013|author=Ellen Nakashima|author2=Joby Warrick|quote=Collect it all, tag it, store it. . . . And whatever it is you want, you go searching for it.}}</ref> [[Glenn Greenwald]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' believes that the "collect it all" strategy introduced by NSA director Alexander shows that "the NSA's goal is to collect, monitor and store every telephone and internet communication" worldwide.<ref name=NSA71513>{{cite news|title=The crux of the NSA story in one phrase: 'collect it all': The actual story that matters is not hard to see: the NSA is attempting to collect, monitor and store all forms of human communication|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/15/crux-nsa-collect-it-all|accessdate=July 16, 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=July 15, 2013|author=Glenn Greenwald}}</ref>

===Encryption===
In 2007, [[cryptographer]]s from [[Microsoft]] uncovered a secret memo that claims the NSA created and pushed for the adoption of encryption standards that contained built-in vulnerabilities in 2006 to the United States [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] (NIST), and the [[International Organization for Standardization]] (aka ISO).<ref name=pp20130905/>

[[Edward Snowden]] claims that the NSA often bypasses encryption altogether by lifting information before it is encrypted or after it is decrypted.<ref name=pp20130905>{{cite news|url=http://www.propublica.org/article/the-nsas-secret-campaign-to-crack-undermine-internet-encryption|title=The NSA’s Secret Campaign to Crack, Undermine Internet Security|date=September 5, 2013|publisher=[[ProPublica]]|author=Perlroth, Nicole, Larson, Jeff, and Shane, Scott|quote=This story has been reported in partnership between The New York Times, the Guardian and ProPublica based on documents obtained by The Guardian. For the Guardian: James Ball, Julian Borger, Glenn Greenwald; For the New York Times: Nicole Perlroth, Scott Shane; For ProPublica: Jeff Larson}}</ref>

==Domestic activity==
{{NSA surveillance|1|2|3}}
NSA's mission, as set forth in [[Executive Order 12333]], is to collect information that constitutes "foreign intelligence or counterintelligence" while ''not'' "acquiring information concerning the domestic activities of United States persons". NSA has declared that it relies on the FBI to collect information on foreign intelligence activities within the borders of the USA, while confining its own activities within the USA to the embassies and missions of foreign nations.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

NSA's domestic surveillance activities are limited by the requirements imposed by the [[Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution]]; however, these protections do not apply to non-U.S. persons located outside of U.S. borders, so the NSA's foreign surveillance efforts are subject to far fewer limitations under U.S. law.<ref name="Jordan_David">David Alan Jordan. [http://iilj.org/documents/Jordan-47_BC_L_Rev_000.pdf Decrypting the Fourth Amendment: Warrantless NSA Surveillance and the Enhanced Expectation of Privacy Provided by Encrypted Voice over Internet Protocol]. Boston College Law Review. May 2006. Last access date January 23, 2007</ref> The specific requirements for domestic surveillance operations are contained in the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978]] (FISA), which does not extend protection to non-U.S. citizens located outside of [[U.S. territory]].<ref name="Jordan_David"/>

These activities, especially the publicly acknowledged domestic telephone tapping and call database programs, have prompted questions about the extent of the NSA's activities and concerns about threats to privacy and the [[rule of law]].{{citation needed|date=June 2013}}

In August 2013 it was revealed that NSA intelligence intercepts and wiretaps, both foreign and domestic, were being supplied to the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) and [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) and were illegally used to launch criminal investigations of US citizens. Law enforcement agents were directed to conceal how the investigations began and recreate an apparently legal investigative trail by re-obtaining the same evidence by other means.<ref>John Shiffman and Kristina Cooke (August 5 2013) ''[http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/05/us-dea-sod-idUSBRE97409R20130805 Exclusive: U.S. directs agents to cover up program used to investigate Americans]''. Reuters. Retrieved 12 Aug 2013.</ref><ref>John Shiffman and David Ingram (August 7 2013) ''[http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/08/07/uk-dea-irs-idUKBRE9761B620130807 Exclusive: IRS manual detailed DEA's use of hidden intel evidence]''. Reuters. Retrieved 12 Aug 2013.</ref>

===Criticism===
The NSA received criticism early on in 1960 after two agents had defected to the [[Soviet Union]]. Investigations by the [[House Un-American Activities Committee]] and a special subcommittee of the [[House Armed Services Committee]] revealed severe cases of ignorance in personnel security regulations, prompting the former personnel director and the director of security to step down and leading to the adoption of stricter security practices.<ref name="Kahn">David Kahn, ''The Codebreakers'', Scribner Press, 1967, chapter 19, pp. 672–733.</ref> Nonetheless, security breaches reoccurred only a year later when in an issue of ''[[Izvestia]]'' of July 23, 1963, a former NSA employee published several cryptologic secrets. The very same day, an NSA clerk-messenger committed suicide as ongoing investigations disclosed that he had sold secret information to the Soviets on a regular basis. The reluctance of Congressional houses to look into these affairs had prompted a journalist to write "If a similar series of tragic blunders occurred in any ordinary agency of Government an aroused public would insist that those responsible be officially censured, demoted, or fired." [[David Kahn (writer)|David Kahn]] criticized the NSA's tactics of concealing its doings as smug and the Congress' blind faith in the agency's right-doing as shortsighted, and pointed out the necessity of surveillance by the Congress to prevent abuse of power.<ref name="Kahn"/>

The number of exemptions from legal requirements has also been criticized. When in 1964 the Congress was hearing a bill giving the director of the NSA the power to fire at will any employee, the Washington Post wrote: "This is the very definition of arbitrariness. It means that an employee could be discharged and disgraced on the basis of anonymous allegations without the slightest opportunity to defend himself." Yet, the bill was accepted by an overwhelming majority.<ref name="Kahn"/>

Polls conducted in June 2013 found divided results among Americans regarding NSA's secret data collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statista.com/statistics/260140/opinion-of-americans-on-whether-the-nsas-secret-data-collection-is-acceptable/|title=Statistics on whether the NSA's Secret Data Collection is Acceptable|publisher=Statista|accessdate=July 19, 2013}}</ref> [[Rasmussen Reports]] found that 59% of Americans disapprove,<ref>{{cite web|title=59% Oppose Government’s Secret Collecting of Phone Records|date=June 9, 2013|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/june_2013/59_oppose_government_s_secret_collecting_of_phone_records|publisher=Rasmussen Reports|accessdate=July 19, 2013}}</ref> [[Gallup (company)|Gallup]] found that 53% disapprove,<ref>{{cite web|title=Americans Disapprove of Government Surveillance Programs|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/163043/americans-disapprove-government-surveillance-programs.aspx|date=June 12, 2013|author=Newport, Frank|publisher=Gallup|accessdate=July 19, 2013}}</ref> and [[Pew Research Center|Pew]] found that 56% are in favor of NSA data collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people-press.org/2013/06/10/majority-views-nsa-phone-tracking-as-acceptable-anti-terror-tactic/|title=Majority Views NSA Phone Tracking as Acceptable Anti-terror Tactic|date=June 10, 2013|publisher=Pew Research Center|accessdate=July 19, 2013}}</ref>

===Domestic wiretapping under Richard Nixon===
{{Further2|[[Church Committee]]}}
In the years after President [[Richard Nixon]] resigned, there were several investigations of suspected misuse of [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI), [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA), and NSA facilities.<ref name=Moyers-2007 /> Senator [[Frank Church]] headed a Senate investigating committee (the [[Church Committee]]) which uncovered previously unknown activity,<ref name=Moyers-2007 /> such as a CIA plot (ordered by the administration of President [[John F. Kennedy]]) to assassinate [[Fidel Castro]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelligence.senate.gov/pdfs94th/94755_IV.pdf|format=PDF|title=Book IV, Supplementary Detailed Staff Reports on Foreign and Military Intelligence (94th Congress, Senate report 94-755)|date=April 23, 1976|publisher=United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|accessdate=June 28, 2013|page=67 (72)}}</ref> The investigation also uncovered NSA's wiretaps on targeted American citizens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelligence.senate.gov/pdfs94th/94755_II.pdf|format=PDF|title=Book II, Intelligence Activities and the Rights of Americans (94th Congress, Senate report 94-755)|date=April 26, 1976|publisher=United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|accessdate=June 28, 2013|page=124 (108)}}</ref> After the Church Committee hearings, the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978]] became law, limiting circumstances under which domestic surveillance was allowed.<ref name=Moyers-2007>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10262007/profile2.html|title=The Church Committee and FISA|date=October 26, 2007|author=Bill Moyers Journal|publisher=Public Affairs Television|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref>

===IT projects: ThinThread, Trailblazer, Turbulence===
NSA created new IT systems to deal with the flood of information from new technologies like the internet and cellphones.

[[ThinThread]] contained advanced [[data mining]] capabilities. It also had a 'privacy mechanism'; surveillance was stored encrypted; decryption required a warrant. The research done under this program may have contributed to the technology used in later systems. ThinThread was cancelled when [[Michael Hayden (general)|Michael Hayden]] chose [[Trailblazer Project|Trailblazer]], which did not include ThinThread's privacy system.<ref name="Sun">{{cite news|first=Siobhan|last=Gorman|title=NSA killed system that sifted phone data legally|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.nsa18may18,1,5386811.story?ctrack=1&cset=true|work=[[Baltimore Sun]]|publisher=[[Tribune Company]] (Chicago, IL)|date=May 17, 2006|accessdate=March 7, 2008|quote=The privacy protections offered by ThinThread were also abandoned in the post–September 11 push by the president for a faster response to terrorism.|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927193047/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.nsa18may18,1,5386811.story?ctrack=1&cset=true|archivedate=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

[[Trailblazer Project]] ramped up circa 2000. [[SAIC (company)|SAIC]], [[Boeing]], [[Computer Sciences Corporation|CSC]], [[IBM]], and [[Litton Industries|Litton]] worked on it. Some NSA [[whistleblower]]s complained internally about major problems surrounding Trailblazer. This led to investigations by Congress and the NSA and DoD [[Inspectors General]]. The project was cancelled circa 2003-4; it was late, over budget, and didn't do what it was supposed to do. The Baltimore Sun ran articles about this in 2006–07. The government then raided the whistleblowers' houses. One of them, [[Thomas Andrews Drake|Thomas Drake]], was charged with violating {{uscsub|18|793|e}} in 2010 in an unusual use of [[Espionage Act|espionage law]]. He and his defenders claim that he was actually being persecuted for challenging the Trailblazer Project. In 2011, all 10 original charges against Drake were dropped.<ref>See refs of [[Thomas Andrews Drake]] article</ref><ref name=Bamford325>Bamford, [[Shadow Factory]], p 325–340</ref>

[[Turbulence (NSA)|Turbulence]] started circa 2005. It was developed in small, inexpensive 'test' pieces rather than one grand plan like Trailblazer. It also included offensive cyber-warfare capabilities, like injecting [[malware]] into remote computers. Congress criticized Turbulence in 2007 for having similar bureaucratic problems as Trailblazer.<ref name=Bamford325/> It was to be a realization of information processing at higher speeds in cyberspace.<ref><http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/bal-nsa050607,0,1517618.story></ref>

===Warrantless wiretaps under George W. Bush===
{{Main|NSA warrantless surveillance controversy}}

On December 16, 2005, the ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that, under [[White House]] pressure and with an [[Executive order (United States)|executive order]] from President [[George W. Bush]], the National Security Agency, in an attempt to thwart terrorism, had been tapping phone calls made to persons outside the country, without obtaining [[warrant (law)|warrants]] from the [[United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court]], a secret court created for that purpose under the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]] (FISA).<ref name="NYTWarrantless">[[James Risen]] & [[Eric Lichtblau]] (December 16, 2005), [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/politics/16program.html Bush Lets U.S. Spy on Callers Without Courts], ''[[New York Times]]''</ref>

One such surveillance program, authorized by the U.S. Signals Intelligence Directive 18 of President George Bush, was the Highlander Project undertaken for the National Security Agency by the U.S. Army 513th Military Intelligence Brigade. NSA relayed telephone (including cell phone) conversations obtained from ground, airborne, and satellite monitoring stations to various U.S. Army Signal Intelligence Officers, including the 201st Military Intelligence Battalion. Conversations of citizens of the U.S. were intercepted, along with those of other nations.<ref>[http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB23/index2.html#doc7 Gwu.edu]</ref>

Proponents of the surveillance program claim that the President has [[Unitary executive theory|executive authority]] to order such action, arguing that laws such as FISA are overridden by the President's Constitutional powers. In addition, some argued that FISA was implicitly overridden by a subsequent statute, the [[Authorization for Use of Military Force]], although the Supreme Court's ruling in [[Hamdan v. Rumsfeld]] deprecates this view. In the August 2006 case ''[[ACLU v. NSA]]'', [[U.S. District Court]] Judge [[Anna Diggs Taylor]] concluded that NSA's warrantless surveillance program was both illegal and unconstitutional. On July 6, 2007 the [[6th Circuit Court of Appeals]] vacated the decision on the grounds that the ACLU lacked standing to bring the suit.<ref>[http://fl1.findlaw.com/news.findlaw.com/nytimes/docs/nsa/aclunsa70607opn.pdf 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision]</ref>

On January 17, 2006, the [[Center for Constitutional Rights]] filed a lawsuit, [[CCR v. Bush]], against the [[George W. Bush]] Presidency. The lawsuit challenged the National Security Agency's (NSA's) surveillance of people within the U.S., including the interception of CCR emails without securing a warrant first.<ref name=TheJurist200705may21>{{cite news|url=http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2007/05/ex-guantanamo-lawyers-sue-for.php|date=May 19, 2007|title=Ex-Guantanamo lawyers sue for recordings of client meetings|author=Mike Rosen-Molina|publisher=[[The Jurist]]|accessdate=May 22, 2007}}</ref><ref name=CcrVBushDocket>{{cite web|url=http://ccrjustice.org/ourcases/current-cases/ccr-v.-bush|title=CCR v. Bush|publisher=[[Center for Constitutional Rights]]|accessdate=June 15, 2009}}</ref>

In September 2008, the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] (EFF) filed a [[class action lawsuit]] against the NSA and several high-ranking officials of the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]],<ref name=digjourn1>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/260075
|title = Jewel Vs. NSA Aims To Stop Illegal Surveillance
|author = KJ Mullins
|date = 20 September 2008
|publisher = [[Digital Journal]]
|accessdate = 30 December 2011
}}</ref>
charging an "illegal and unconstitutional program of dragnet communications surveillance,"<ref name=complaint>[https://www.eff.org/files/filenode/jewel/jewel.complaint.pdf ''Jewel v. NSA'' (complaint)]. 18 September 2008. [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]]. Retrieved 30 December 2011.</ref> based on documentation provided by former [[AT&T]] technician [[Mark Klein]].<ref name=wired1>
{{cite web
|url = http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/07/jewel/
|title = Obama Claims Immunity, As New Spy Case Takes Center Stage
|first = David
|last = Kravets
|date = 15 July 2009
|publisher = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''
|accessdate = 30 December 2011
}}</ref>

===AT&T Internet monitoring===
{{Further2|[[Hepting v. AT&T]], [[Jewel v. NSA]], [[Mark Klein]], [[NSA warrantless surveillance controversy]]}}
In May 2006, [[Mark Klein]], a former [[AT&T Inc.|AT&T]] employee, alleged that his company had cooperated with NSA in installing [[Narus (company)|Narus]] hardware to replace the FBI [[Carnivore (software)|Carnivore]] program, to monitor network communications including traffic between American citizens.<ref name="mark">{{cite journal|year=2007|month=February 16|title=For Your Eyes Only?|journal=[[NOW on PBS|NOW]]|url=http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/307/index.html}} on [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]</ref>

===Wiretapping under Barack Obama===
In 2009 the NSA intercepted the communications of American citizens, including a Congressman, although the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] believed that the interception was unintentional. The Justice Department then took action to correct the issues and bring it into compliance with existing laws.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lichtblau, Eric and Risen, James|date=April 15, 2009|title=N.S.A.'s Intercepts Exceed Limits Set by Congress|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/us/16nsa.html|work=The New York Times|accessdate=April 15, 2009}}</ref> United States Attorney General [[Eric Holder]] resumed the wiretapping according to his understanding of the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act]] amendment of 2008, without explaining what had occurred.<ref>{{cite news|author=Ackerman, Spencer|title=NSA Revelations Spark Push to Restore FISA|url=http://washingtonindependent.com/39153/nsa-revelations-spark-movement-to-restore-fisa|date=April 16, 2009|work=The Washington Independent|publisher=Center for Independent Media|accessdate=April 19, 2009}}</ref>

On April 25, 2013, the NSA obtained a court order requiring [[Verizon]]'s Business Network Services to provide information on all calls in its system to the NSA "on an ongoing daily basis", as reported by ''[[The Guardian]]'' on June 6, 2013. This information includes "the numbers of both parties on a call&nbsp;... location data, call duration, unique identifiers, and the time and duration of all calls" but not "[t]he contents of the conversation itself".<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Glenn Greenwald]] |title=Revealed: NSA collecting phone records of millions of Americans daily|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/nsa-phone-records-verizon-court-order |accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>Charlie Savage and Edward Wyatt, [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/06/us/us-secretly-collecting-logs-of-business-calls.html?hp&_r=0 "U.S. Is Secretly Collecting Records of Verizon Calls"], ''New York Times'', June 5, 2013. Accessed June 6, 2013.</ref>

==Role in scientific research and development==
NSA has been involved in debates about public policy, both indirectly as a behind-the-scenes adviser to other departments, and directly during and after [[Bobby Ray Inman|Vice Admiral Bobby Ray Inman]]'s directorship. NSA was a major player in the debates of the 1990s regarding the [[export of cryptography in the United States]]. Restrictions on export were reduced but not eliminated in 1996.

Its secure government communications work has involved the NSA in numerous technology areas, including the design of specialized communications [[computer hardware|hardware]] and software, production of dedicated [[semiconductor]]s (at the [[Fort Meade, Maryland|Ft. Meade]] chip fabrication plant), and advanced [[cryptography]] research. For 50 years, NSA designed and built most of its computer equipment in-house, but from the 1990s until about 2003 (when the U.S. Congress curtailed the practice), the agency contracted with the private sector in the fields of research and equipment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Congress curbs NSA's power to contract with suppliers|author=Sabar, Ariel|date=July 20, 2013|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-07-20/news/0307200276_1_nsa-eavesdropping-agency|work=Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|accessdate=June 17, 2013}}</ref>

===Data Encryption Standard===
{{Main|Data Encryption Standard}}
[[Image:Frostburg.jpg|thumb|190px|right|[[FROSTBURG]] was the NSA's first [[supercomputer]], used from 1991–97.]]
NSA was embroiled in some minor controversy concerning its involvement in the creation of the Data Encryption Standard (DES), a standard and public [[block cipher]] [[algorithm]] used by the [[U.S. government]] and banking community. During the development of DES by [[IBM]] in the 1970s, NSA recommended changes to some details of the design. There was suspicion that these changes had weakened the algorithm sufficiently to enable the agency to eavesdrop if required, including speculation that a critical component—the so-called [[Substitution box|S-boxes]]—had been altered to insert a "[[Backdoor (computing)|backdoor]]" and that the reduction in key length might have made it feasible for NSA to discover DES keys using massive computing power. It has since been observed that the S-boxes in DES are particularly resilient against [[differential cryptanalysis]], a technique which was not publicly discovered until the late 1980s, but which was known to the IBM DES team. The [[United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence]] reviewed NSA's involvement, and concluded that while the agency had provided some assistance, it had not tampered with the design.<ref>{{cite book|first=D.W.|last=Davies|coauthors=W.L. Price|title=Security for computer networks, 2nd ed.|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|year=1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Robert Sugarman (editor)|title=On foiling computer crime|journal=IEEE Spectrum|month=July|year=1979|publisher=[[IEEE]]}}</ref> In late 2009 NSA declassified information stating that "NSA worked closely with IBM to strengthen the algorithm against all except brute force attacks and to strengthen substitution tables, called S-boxes. Conversely, NSA tried to convince IBM to reduce the length of the key from 64 to 48 bits. Ultimately they compromised on a 56-bit key."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cryptome.org/0001/nsa-meyer.htm|title=American Cryptology during the Cold War, 1945–1989.Book III: Retrenchment and Reform, 1972–1980, page 232|author=Thomas R. Johnson|accessdate=January 3, 2010|publisher=[[NSA]], DOCID 3417193 (file released on 2009-12-18, hosted at cryptome.org)|date=December 18, 2009}}</ref>

===Clipper chip===
{{Main|Clipper chip}}
Because of concerns that widespread use of strong cryptography would hamper government use of [[Telephone tapping|wiretaps]], NSA proposed the concept of [[key escrow]] in 1993 and introduced the Clipper chip that would offer stronger protection than DES but would allow access to encrypted data by authorized law enforcement officials.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Baker, Stewart A.|title= Don't Worry Be Happy |url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.06/nsa.clipper_pr.html|publisher=Condé Nast|journal=Wired|issue=2.06|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref> The proposal was strongly opposed and key escrow requirements ultimately went nowhere.<ref>{{cite web|title=Key Escrow, Key Recovery, Trusted Third Parties & Govt. Access to Keys|url=http://w2.eff.org/Privacy/Key_escrow/|publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref> However, NSA's [[Fortezza]] hardware-based encryption cards, created for the Clipper project, are still used within government, and NSA ultimately declassified and published the design of the [[Skipjack (cipher)|Skipjack cipher]] used on the cards.<ref>{{cite web|author=Schneier, Bruce|title=Declassifying Skipjack|url=http://www.schneier.com/crypto-gram-9807.html#skip|publisher=Crypto-Gram (schneier.com)|date=July 15, 1998|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SKIPJACK and KEA Algorithm Specifications|format=PDF|date=May 29, 1998|url=http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/ST/toolkit/documents/skipjack/skipjack.pdf|publisher=National Institute of Standards and Technology|accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref>

===Advanced Encryption Standard===
{{Main|Advanced Encryption Standard}}
The involvement of NSA in the selection of a successor to DES, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), was limited to hardware performance testing (see [[Advanced Encryption Standard process|AES competition]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Hardware Performance Simulations of Round 2 Advanced Encryption Standard Algorithms|author=Weeks, Bryan et al.|url=http://csrc.nist.gov/archive/aes/round2/NSA-AESfinalreport.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Institute of Standards and Technology|accessdate=June 29, 2013}}</ref> NSA has subsequently certified AES for protection of classified information (for at most two levels, e.g. SECRET information in an unclassified environment) when used in NSA-approved systems.<ref name=suiteB>"the NIST standards that define Suite B..." in {{cite web|title=Suite B Cryptography / Cryptographic Interoperability|url=http://www.nsa.gov/ia/programs/suiteb_cryptography/|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=June 29, 2013}}</ref>

===SHA===
The widely used [[SHA-1]] and [[SHA-2]] hash functions were designed by NSA. SHA-1 is a slight modification of the weaker [[SHA-0]] algorithm, also designed by NSA in 1993. This small modification was suggested by NSA two years later, with no justification other than the fact that it provides additional security. An attack for SHA-0 that does not apply to the revised algorithm was indeed found between 1998 and 2005 by academic cryptographers. Because of weaknesses and key length restrictions in SHA-1, NIST deprecates its use for [[digital signature]]s, and approves only the newer SHA-2 algorithms for such applications from 2013 on.<ref>Draft NIST SP 800-131, June 2010.</ref>

A new hash standard, [[SHA-3]], has recently been selected through the [[NIST hash function competition|competition]] concluded October 2, 2012 with the selection of [[SHA-3|Keccak]] as the algorithm. The process to select SHA-3 was similar to the one held in choosing the AES, which concluded in 2001.

===Dual EC DRBG random number generator===
{{Main|Dual EC DRBG}}

NSA promoted the inclusion of a random number generator called [[Dual EC DRBG]] in the U.S. [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]]'s 2007 guidelines. This led to speculation of a [[backdoor (computing)|backdoor]] which would allow NSA access to data encrypted by systems using that random number generator.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wired.com/politics/security/commentary/securitymatters/2007/11/securitymatters_1115|title=Did NSA Put a Secret Backdoor in New Encryption Standard?|author=Bruce Schneier|publisher=Wired News|date=November 15, 2007|accessdate=July 4, 2008}}</ref>

===Perfect Citizen===
{{Main|Perfect Citizen}}
Perfect Citizen is a program to perform vulnerability assessment by the NSA on U.S. critical infrastructure. It was originally reported to be a program to develop a system of sensors to detect cyber attacks on critical infrastructure computer networks in both the private and public sector through a network monitoring system named Einstein. It is funded by the [[Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative]] and thus far Raytheon has received a contract for up to $100 million for the initial stage.

===Academic research===
NSA has invested many millions of dollars in academic research under grant code prefix ''MDA904'', resulting in over 3,000 papers (as of 2007-10-11). NSA/CSS has, at times, attempted to restrict the publication of academic research into cryptography; for example, the [[Khufu and Khafre]] block ciphers were voluntarily withheld in response to an NSA request to do so. In response to a [[Freedom of information in the United States|FOIA]] lawsuit, in 2013 the NSA released the 643-page research paper titled, "Untangling the Web: A Guide to Internet Research,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/Untangling_the_Web.pdf |title=Untangling the Web: A Guide to Internet Research |author=Robyn Winder and Charlie Speight |work=National Security Agency Public Information |date=April 19, 2013 |accessdate=May 9, 2013}}</ref> " written and compiled by NSA employees to assist other NSA workers in searching for information of interest to the agency on the public Internet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/05/nsa-manual-on-hacking-internet/ |title=Use These Secret NSA Google Search Tips to Become Your Own Spy Agency
|last=Zetter |first=Kim |work=Wired Magazine |date=May 9, 2013}}</ref>

===Patents===
NSA has the ability to file for a patent from the [[U.S. Patent and Trademark Office]] under [[gag order]]. Unlike normal patents, these are not revealed to the public and do not expire. However, if the Patent Office receives an application for an identical patent from a third party, they will reveal NSA's patent and officially grant it to NSA for the full term on that date.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schneier|first=Bruce|authorlink=Bruce Schneier|title=Applied Cryptography, Second Edition|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|year=1996|pages=609–610|isbn=0-471-11709-9}}</ref>

One of NSA's published patents describes a method of [[geolocation|geographically locating]] an individual computer site in an Internet-like network, based on the [[lag|latency]] of multiple network connections.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office|title=United States Patent 6,947,978 – Method for geolocating logical network addresses|url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F6947978|date=September 20, 2005|accessdate=July 4, 2008}}</ref> Although no public patent exists, NSA is reported to have used a similar locating technology called trilateralization that allows real-time tracking of an individual’s location, including altitude from ground level, using data obtained from cellphone towers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/us/revelations-give-look-at-spy-agencys-wider-reach.html?pagewanted=all |title=How the U.S. Uses Technology to Mine More Data More Quickly |author=[[James Risen]] and [[Eric Lichtblau]] |publisher=New York Times |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 13, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Intel GreenDoor.jpg|thumb|''Behind the Green Door'' secure communications center with [[SIPRNET]], GWAN, [[NSANET]], and [[JWICS]] access]]

==NSANet==
NSANet is the official National Security Agency intranet.<ref name=arc_reg>{{cite web|url=https://www.nsaarc.net/docs/arc_registration_guide.pdf|author=National Security Agency|title=ARC Registration|year=2009|accessdate =April 13, 2011|publisher=NSA ARC}}</ref> It is a classified internal network,<ref name=dni1>{{cite web|url=http://www.dni.gov/reports/IC_Consumers_Guide_2009.pdf|title=2009 National Intelligence Consumer's Guide|author=DNI|year=2009|accessdate =April 13, 2011|publisher=Director of National Intelligence}}{{dead link|date=July 2013}}</ref> and [[top secret|TS]]/[[Sensitive Compartmented Information|SCI]].<ref name=army1>{{cite web|url=http://portal.dean.usma.edu/departments/se/nrcd/PDFs/FM%203-93%20(Final%20Draft,%20Jul%2010).pdf|title=Theater Army Operations, Field Manual No. 3-93 (100–7)|author=US Army|accessdate =April 13, 2011 }}</ref> In 2004 it was reported to have used over twenty [[commercial off-the-shelf]] operating systems.<ref name=cmu1>{{cite web|url=http://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/assets/jarzombek.pdf|title=Systems, Network, and Information Integration Context for Software Assurance|author=Joe Jarzombek|year=2004|accessdate =April 13, 2011|publisher=Carnegie Mellon University}}</ref> Some universities that do highly sensitive research are allowed to connect to it.<ref name=ps>{{cite web|url=http://www.exportcontrols.msu.edu/FBI_2010/Dr_Christopher_Griffin_Applied_Research_Laboratories_Penn_State_University_10_20_2010.pdf|title=Dealing with Sensitive Data at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory: Approach and Examples|author=Dr. Christopher Griffin|year=2010|accessdate =April 13, 2011|publisher=msu.edu}}</ref> In 1998 it, along with [[NIPRNET]] and [[SIPRNET]], had "significant problems with poor search capabilities, unorganized data and old information".<ref name=nps2>{{cite web|url=http://edocs.nps.edu/npspubs/scholarly/theses/1998/Sep/98Sep_Misiewicz.pdf|title=Thesis; Modeling and Simulation of a Global Reachback Architecture ...|date=September 1998|accessdate =April 13, 2011|author=Misiewicz }}</ref>

==National Computer Security Center==
The DoD Computer Security Center was founded in 1981 and renamed the National Computer Security Center (NCSC) in 1985. NCSC was responsible for computer security throughout the federal government.<ref>"The DoD Computer Security Center (DoDCSC) was established in January 1981..." and "In 1985, DoDCSC's name was changed to the National
Computer Security Center..." and "its responsibility for computer security throughout the federal government..." in {{cite web|url=http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/secpubs/rainbow/tg001.txt|title=A Guide to Understanding Audit in Trusted Systems|publisher=National Computer Security Center via National Institute of Standards and Technology CSRC|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref> NCSC was part of NSA,<ref>"NSA and its National Computer Security Center (NCSC) have responsibility for..." in {{cite web|url=http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/nistbul/csl91-02.txt|title=Computer Systems Laboratory Bulletin|date=February 1991|publisher=National Institute of Standards and Technology CSRC|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref> and during the late 1980s and the 1990s, NSA and NCSC published [[Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria]] in a six-foot high [[Rainbow Series]] of books that detailed trusted computing and network platform specifications.<ref name=FAS /> The Rainbow books were replaced by the [[Common Criteria]], however, in the early 2000s.<ref name=FAS>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/nsa/rainbow.htm|title=NSA/NCSC Rainbow Series|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>

On July 18, 2013, Greenwald alleged that Snowden held the blueprints of the National Computer Security Center, thereby sparking fresh controversy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theindianreader.com/index.php/international/24-international/blueprint-of-nsa-is-in-snowdens-hand.html|title=എന്‍ എസ് എയുടെ ബ്ലുപ്രിന്റ് സ്‌നോഡന്റെ കൈയിലുണ്ട്|publisher= The Indian Reader|date= 18 July 2013| accessdate= 18 July 2013}}</ref>

==NSA encryption systems==
{{Main|NSA encryption systems}}
The NSA is responsible for the encryption-related components in these legacy systems:
* [[FNBDT]] Future Narrow Band Digital Terminal<ref>{{cite book|title=C4ISR for Future Naval Strike Groups|author=Committee on C4ISR for Future Naval Strike Groups, National Research Council|isbn=0309096006|publisher=National Academies Press|year=2006|page=167|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NByKhCK3edkC&pg=PA167&lpg=PA167}}</ref>
* [[KL-7]] ADONIS off-line rotor encryption machine (post-WWII – 1980s)<ref>"Adkins Family asked for a pic of the KL-7. Here you go!..." in {{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/NationalCryptologicMuseum|date=March 20, 2013|title=NSA - National Cryptologic Museum|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref><ref name=NSA3997687 />
* [[KW-26]] ROMULUS electronic in-line teletypewriter encryptor (1960s–1980s)<ref name=NSA50th />
* [[KW-37]] JASON fleet broadcast encryptor (1960s–1990s)<ref name=NSA3997687>{{cite web|title=Cryptographic Damage Assessment: DOCID: 3997687|year=1968|url=http://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/uss_pueblo/Section_V_Cryptographic_Damage_Assessment.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:STU-IIIphones.nsa.jpg|thumb|right|[[STU-III]] secure telephones on display at the [[National Cryptologic Museum]]]]

* [[KY-57]] VINSON tactical radio voice encryptor<ref name=NSA50th>{{cite web|title=Cryptologic Excellence: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow|year=2002|url=http://www.nsa.gov/about/_files/cryptologic_heritage/publications/misc/50th_anniversary.pdf|format=PDF|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=June 30, 2013|page=17}}</ref>
* [[KG-84]] Dedicated Data Encryption/Decryption<ref name=NSA50th />
* [[STU-III]] secure telephone unit,<ref name=NSA50th /> phased out by the [[Secure Terminal Equipment|STE]]<ref name=Hickey />

The NSA oversees encyption in following systems which are in use today:
* [[EKMS]] Electronic Key Management System<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jitc.fhu.disa.mil/ekms/|title=JITC Networks, Transmissions, and Integration Division Electronic Key Management System (EKMS)|date=February 1991|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense: Defense Information Systems Agency: Joint Interoperability Certifier|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Fortezza]] encryption based on portable crypto token in [[PC Card]] format<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsa.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2320|title=6.2.6 What is Fortezza?|publisher=RSA Laboratories, EMC Corporation|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>
* [[SINCGARS]] tactical radio with cryptographically controlled frequency hopping<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raytheon.com/capabilities/products/arc231/|title=AN/ARC-231 Airborne Communication System|publisher=Raytheon|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Secure Terminal Equipment|STE]] secure terminal equipment<ref name=Hickey>{{cite news|url=http://gcn.com/articles/2010/01/06/nsa-certifies-viper-for-classified-communications.aspx|author=Hickey, Kathleen|date=January 6, 2010|title=NSA certifies Sectera Viper phone for classified communications|publisher=1105 Media|work=GCN|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>
* [[TACLANE]] product line by [[General Dynamics C4 Systems]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2007/10/24/NSA-approves-TACLANE-Router/UPI-47061193262728/|date=October 24, 2007|title=NSA approves TACLANE-Router|publisher=United Press International|accessdate=June 30, 2013}}</ref>

The NSA has specified [[NSA Suite A Cryptography|Suite A]] and [[NSA Suite B Cryptography|Suite B]] cryptographic algorithm suites to be used in U.S. government systems; the Suite B algorithms are a subset of those previously specified by [[National Institute of Standards and Technology|NIST]] and are expected to serve for most information protection purposes, while the Suite A algorithms are secret and are intended for especially high levels of protection.<ref name=suiteB />

==See also==
{{Div col|cols = 2}}
* [[Central Intelligence Agency]]
* [[Defense Intelligence Agency]]
* [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]
* [[United States Department of Homeland Security]]
* [[NSA in popular culture]]
* [[UKUSA Agreement]]
* [[GCHQ]]
* [[Special Communications Service of Russia|Spetssvyaz]]
* [[GCSB]]{{Div col end}}

===Past NSA SIGINT activities===
{{div col|cols=2}}
* [[Gulf of Tonkin incident]]
* [[Korean Air Lines Flight 007]]
* [[Operation Ivy Bells]]
* [[USS Liberty incident|USS ''Liberty'' incident]]
* [[USS Pueblo (AGER-2)|USS ''Pueblo'' (AGER-2)]]
* [[VENONA project]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
* [[James Bamford|Bamford, James]]. ''[[Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency]]'', [[Random House Digital, Inc.]], December 18, 2007. ISBN 0307425053, <a href="tel:9780307425058">9780307425058</a>. Previously published as: Doubleday, 2001, ISBN 0-385-49907-8.
* Bauer, Craig P. ''Secret History: The Story of Cryptology'' (''Volume 76 of Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications''). [[CRC Press]], 2013. ISBN 1466561866, <a href="tel:9781466561861">9781466561861</a>.
* Weiland, Matt and Sean Wilsey. ''State by State''. [[HarperCollins]], Oct 19, 2010. ISBN 0062043579, <a href="tel:9780062043573">9780062043573</a>.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==Further reading==
* Bamford, James, ''[[The Puzzle Palace (book)|The Puzzle Palace]]'', Penguin Books, ISBN 0-14-006748-5.
* [[Church Committee]], ''Intelligence Activities and the Rights of Americans: 1976 US Senate Report on Illegal Wiretaps and Domestic Spying by the FBI, CIA and NSA'', Red and Black Publishers (May 1, 2008).
* {{cite book|last=Hanyok|first=Robert J.|year=2002|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/nsa/spartans/index.html|title=Spartans in Darkness: American SIGINT and the Indochina War, 1945–1975|series=|publisher=National Security Agency|accessdate=November 16, 2008}}
* {{cite book|last=Johnson|first=Thomas R.|year=2008|url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB260/|title=American Cryptology during the Cold War|series=|publisher=National Security Agency: Center for Cryptological History|accessdate=November 16, 2008}}
* [[Steven Levy|Levy, Steven]], ''[[Crypto: How the Code Rebels Beat the Government—Saving Privacy in the Digital Age]]'', Penguin Books, ISBN 0-14-024432-8.
* Radden Keefe, Patrick, ''Chatter: Dispatches from the Secret World of Global Eavesdropping'', Random House, ISBN 1-4000-6034-6.
* Liston, Robert A., ''The Pueblo Surrender: a Covert Action by the National Security Agency'', ISBN 0-87131-554-8.
* [[David Kahn (writer)|Kahn, David]], ''[[The Codebreakers]]'', 1181 pp., ISBN 0-684-83130-9. Look for the 1967 rather than the 1996 edition.
* Tully, Andrew, ''The Super Spies: More Secret, More Powerful than the CIA'', 1969, LC 71080912.
* [[James Bamford|Bamford, James]], [[New York Times]], December 25, 2005; [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/25/weekinreview/25bamford.html?pagewanted=all The Agency That Could Be Big Brother].
* [[Samuel A. Adams|Adams, Sam]], ''War of Numbers: An Intelligence Memoir'' Steerforth; new edition (June 1, 1998).
* Prados, John, ''The Soviet estimate: U.S. intelligence analysis & Russian military strength'', hardcover, 367 pages, ISBN 0-385-27211-1, Dial Press (1982).
* Perro, Ralph J. "[https://www.fas.org/irp/eprint/nsa-interview.pdf Interviewing With An Intelligence Agency (or, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Fort Meade)]." ([http://www.webcitation.org/6HurSNBU6 Archive]) [[Federation of American Scientists]]. November 2003. Updated January 2004.<!--Referred to in Bauer, p. 359 so it is an important source--> - About the experience of a candidate of an NSA job in pre-employment screening.
** "Ralph J. Perro" is a pseudonym that is a reference to [[Ralph J. Canine]](''perro'' is [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "dog" and a dog is a type of canine)<!--Note to Americans who see "perro is dog" as common sense: Not everybody is from the United States and there are English speakers from other countries who may not understand this!!!-->
* [[Walter Laqueur|Laqueur, Walter]], ''A World of secrets''.
* [[Sherman Kent|Kent, Sherman]], ''Strategic Intelligence for American Public Policy''.
* Aid, Matthew, The Secret Sentry: The Untold History of the National Security Agency, 432 pages, ISBN 978-1-59691-515-2, Bloomsbury Press (June 9, 2009).
* Shaker, Richard J. "[http://www.ams.org/profession/employment-services/emp-shaker The Agency That Came in from the Cold]." ([http://www.webcitation.org/6Hva7r0PI Archive], [http://archive.is/Hu4Nn Archive #2]) ''[[Notices of the American Mathematical Society|Notices]]''. [[American Mathematical Society]]. May/June 1992 p.&nbsp;408-411.
* {{cite web | url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/06/18/obama-charlie-rose-program-nsa-surveillance/2433549/ | title=Obama: NSA surveillance programs are 'transparent' | publisher=''[[USA Today]]'' | date=June 18, 2013 | accessdate=2013-06-18 | author=Jackson, David}}
* "[http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB260/ National Security Agency Releases History of Cold War Intelligence Activities]." [[George Washington University]]. National Security Archive Electronic Briefing Book No. 260. Posted November 14, 2008.
* {{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/the-nsa-files|title=The NSA Files|publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''}}
* "[http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/06/07/lawrence-nsa-no-such-agency.cnn.html Just what is the NSA?]" (video) ''[[CNN]]''. June 7, 2013.

==External links==
{{Commons category|National_Security_Agency,_United_States|National Security Agency, United States}}
* [http://www.nsa.gov/ NSA official site].
* [http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/457.html Records of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service].
* [http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/ The National Security Archive at George Washington University].
* {{cite web|url=http://www.intelligence.gov/1-members_nsa.shtml |title=United States Intelligence Community: Who We Are / NSA section |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060925221125/http://www.intelligence.gov/1-members_nsa.shtml |archivedate=September 25, 2006}}

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