National Security Agency
The National Security Agency (NSA) is an intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The NSA is responsible for global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes, specializing in a discipline known as signals intelligence (SIGINT). The NSA is also tasked with the protection of U.S. communications networks and information systems. The NSA relies on a variety of measures to accomplish its mission, the majority of which are clandestine. The NSA has roughly 32,000 employees.
Some of the key events about National Security Agency
- 1952Established as a cryptologic intelligence agency to protect U.S. communications and gather foreign intelligence
- 1960Launched the CORONA satellite program, revolutionizing space-based intelligence gathering
- 1960Intercepted and analyzed communications of U.S. citizens without warrants during Project MINARET
- 1969Developed the first computer network security model, laying groundwork for modern cybersecurity
- 1975Created the Secure Telephone Unit, enabling encrypted voice communications for government officials
- 1975Conducted illegal domestic surveillance activities revealed by the Church Committee
- 1985Introduced the Data Encryption Standard (DES), setting a public standard for data encryption
- 1986Engaged in warrantless wiretapping of a U.S. company during Operation Ivy Bells
- 1997Developed SELinux, an enhanced security architecture for Linux operating systems
- 2001Assisted in breaking Al-Qaeda communications, contributing to counterterrorism efforts
- 2001Implemented the controversial Stellar Wind program for warrantless surveillance after 9/11
- 2005Conducted warrantless wiretapping of U.S. citizens' phone calls and emails
- 2008Illegally collected and stored emails and phone calls of Americans
- 2009Established the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to enhance cybersecurity
- 2013Declassified and released historical documents, increasing transparency about past operations
- 2013Bulk collection of U.S. citizens' phone records exposed by leaked documents
- 2013PRISM surveillance program revealed, allowing access to user data from major tech companies
- 2014Intercepted and stored images from Yahoo webcam chats of millions of users
- 2015Discovered to have embedded surveillance software in hard drive firmware worldwide
- 2018Helped secure the U.S. midterm elections against foreign interference through cyber defense efforts
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.
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