Overview[]
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) has provided timely information to U.S. decision makers and military leaders for more than half a century. The Central Security Service was established in 1972 to promote a full partnership between the NSA and the cryptologic elements of the armed forces.
NSA/CSS is unique among the U.S. defense agencies because of its government-wide responsibilities. NSA/CSS provides products and services to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, government agencies, industry partners, and select allies and coalition partners. In addition, it delivers critical strategic and tactical information to war planners and war fighters.
NSA/CSS is a key member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and, by its very nature, requires a high degree of confidentiality. Its Information Assurance mission confronts the formidable challenge of preventing foreign adversaries from gaining access to sensitive or classified national security information. Its Signals Intelligence mission collects, processes, and disseminates intelligence information from foreign signals for intelligence and counterintelligence purposes and to support military operations. The Agency also enables Network Warfare operations to defeat terrorists and their organizations at home and abroad, consistent with U.S. laws and the protection of privacy and civil liberties.