The U.S. National Security Agency located in Meade, Maryland.
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 U.S. intelligence organizations in terms of personnel and budget, the NSA operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense and reports to the
Director of National Intelligence.
The NSA is primarily tasked with global monitoring, collection, decoding, translation and analysis of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes. The agency is authorized to accomplish its mission through clandestine means, among which is bugging electronic systems[9] and allegedly engaging in sabotage through subversive software. The NSA is also responsible for the protection of U.S. government communications and information systems.
Unlike the CIA and DIA, both of which specialize primarily in foreign human espionage, the NSA does not have a human intelligence division, although it is often 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. 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 NSA Director, who is at least a lieutenant general or vice admiral, also serves as the Commander of the United States Cyber Command and Chief of the Central Security Service.
Employees Classified (30,000-40,000 estimate)
Annual budget Classified ($10.8 billion, as of 2013)
