National Security Agency
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The NSA is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States government,
administered as part of the U.S. Department of Defense. Created on November
4, 1952 by President Harry S. Truman, it is responsible for the collection and
analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, which
involves a significant amount of cryptanalysis. It is also responsible for
protecting U.S. government communications and information systems from similar
agencies elsewhere, which involves a significant amount of cryptography. The NSA
has recently been directed to help monitor U.S. federal agency computer networks
to protect them against attacks. Directed by a lieutenant general or vice
admiral, the NSA is a key component of the U.S. Intelligence Community, which is
headed by the Director of National Intelligence. The Central Security Service is
a co-located agency created to coordinate intelligence activities and
co-operation between NSA and U.S. military cryptanalysis agencies. Contrary to
popular impression, the NSA's work is limited to communications intelligence and
not field or human intelligence activities. Its work also includes some domestic
surveillance.
administered as part of the U.S. Department of Defense. Created on November
4, 1952 by President Harry S. Truman, it is responsible for the collection and
analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, which
involves a significant amount of cryptanalysis. It is also responsible for
protecting U.S. government communications and information systems from similar
agencies elsewhere, which involves a significant amount of cryptography. The NSA
has recently been directed to help monitor U.S. federal agency computer networks
to protect them against attacks. Directed by a lieutenant general or vice
admiral, the NSA is a key component of the U.S. Intelligence Community, which is
headed by the Director of National Intelligence. The Central Security Service is
a co-located agency created to coordinate intelligence activities and
co-operation between NSA and U.S. military cryptanalysis agencies. Contrary to
popular impression, the NSA's work is limited to communications intelligence and
not field or human intelligence activities. Its work also includes some domestic
surveillance.