National Security Agency

The American signals intelligence and cybersecurity agency, established in 1952

Overview

Established by President Truman in 1952, the NSA intercepts foreign communications and protects American government networks. Headquartered at Fort Meade, Maryland, it is among the largest employers of mathematicians and cryptologists in the world. Cold War work centered on Soviet and Chinese communications, and after 2001 expanded programs of bulk telephone collection, revealed in 2013, drove global debate and legislative reform. The agency also shapes public cryptography standards, a role that has drawn both praise and controversy. Its work underpins most allied signals intelligence through the Five Eyes partnership.