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National Security Authority (Norway)

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National Security Authority
Company typeGovernment Agency
IndustryIntelligence agency
Founded2003
HeadquartersOslo, Norway
Area served
Norway
Number of employees
389 (2023) Edit this on Wikidata
ParentMinistry of Defense
Websitensm.no Edit this on Wikidata

The National Security Authority (NSM) (Template:Lang-no) is a Norwegian intelligence agency at the level of government agency (Direktorat) established on 1 January 2003 as the successor to Forsvarets sikkerhetsstab (FO/S). It is responsible for proactive national security, identifying national objects of special interest (like the national oil company Statoil) and reducing their vulnerability to internal and external threats. The agency performs threat analysis on physical objects of national interest, and is also known to work with experts on computer security and data encryption. The cooperation with the Police Security Agency (PST) and the Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) has been identified as a very important part of the task of maintaining an overview of potential threats to objects, and instituting proactive activities.

NSM also cooperates with the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB), intended to prevent loss of life and maintain health, environment, important society functions, and material assets in connection with accidents, catastrophes, terrorism and other unwanted events in peace, crisis and war.


NSM is administratively governed and funded by the Ministry of Defense, but also reports to the Ministry of Justice and the Police in civilian matters.

Organizational structure

NSM is currently (as of 29 March 2007) organized in four technical/specialized departments and two administrative/support departments:

Tasks

Legal/political fundament

  • Security Act
  • Defence Secrets Act
  • Defence Inventions Act
  • Arrangement on certification of information systems and products (SERTIT)
  • Coordinating role in preventative work and responses against IT security breaches aimed at critical national infrastructure (CNI) in Norway. (NorCERT)
File:NSM headquarters.jpg
NSM headquarters, Kolsås Military Base

Security Act

NSM have following responsibilities regarding the Security Act:

  • Gathering and analyzing of information relevant for protective security services
  • Information, advice and guidance
  • Oversight and Inspections
  • Development of security measures (R&D when needed)
  • National and international cooperation
  • Monitoring of information systems
  • Technical Security Counter Measures (TSCM)
  • Production and accounting of CRYPTO-material
  • Central Personnel and Facility Security Clearance Registry
  • Body of Appeal when Security Clearance is denied