National Security Agency
American intelligence organization
The National Security Agency, usually abbreviated NSA, is a U.S. intelligence agency responsible for signals intelligence and cybersecurity.
It intercepts and analyzes foreign communications while protecting American government systems.
The NSA gained notoriety after Edward Snowden's 2013 revelations about its domestic surveillance programs: The NSA was monitoring millions of phone records.
Intelligence from communications intercepts
- cryptanalysisStudy of breaking ciphers
- signalsConveyed indications
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
analysis · HUMINT · geospatial · satellite · linguistics · briefing · counterterrorism · radar
Covert phone surveillance
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- PRISMNSA mass surveillance program
- internet monitoringTracking online activity
data collection · satellite imagery · drone surveillance · tracking · watchlist · bugging · tapping · scanning
NSA contractor turned fugitive
- leakEscape through a breach
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- exposureState of being unprotected
revelations · documents · Guardian · Greenwald · asylum · transparency · oversight · accountability
Protecting systems from attacks
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- cyber warfareAttacks via computer networks
- zero-dayUnpatched security vulnerability
- malwareHarmful computer programs
intrusion detection · vulnerability · penetration testing · exploit · hacking · botnet · DDoS · encryption
Restricted from disclosure
- compartmentedDivided into separate sections
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
- redactedOfficially removed from view
FOIA · declassification · nondisclosure · black site · covert · clandestine · burn bag · sensitive
SIGINT
Intelligence from communications intercepts
- cryptanalysisStudy of breaking ciphers
- signalsConveyed indications
- decryptionConverting ciphertext to plaintext
interception · analysis · HUMINT · geospatial · satellite · linguistics · briefing · counterterrorism · radar · cryptography
wiretapping
Covert phone surveillance
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- PRISMNSA mass surveillance program
internet monitoring · data collection · satellite imagery · drone surveillance · tracking · watchlist · bugging · tapping · scanning · domestic surveillance
Snowden
NSA contractor turned fugitive
- leakEscape through a breach
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
exposure · revelations · documents · Guardian · Greenwald · asylum · transparency · oversight · accountability · civil liberties
cyber defense
Protecting systems from attacks
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- cyber warfareAttacks via computer networks
- zero-dayUnpatched security vulnerability
malware · intrusion detection · vulnerability · penetration testing · exploit · hacking · botnet · DDoS · encryption · firewall
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- compartmentedDivided into separate sections
- clearancePermitted passage or approval
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
redacted · FOIA · declassification · nondisclosure · black site · covert · clandestine · burn bag · sensitive · restricted
National Security AgencyWikiLeaks
Transparency organization publishing leaks
Edward Snowden · open government · whistleblowers · Julian Assange · FOIA
National Security AgencyACLU
Advocacy group for constitutional protections
National Security Agencypublic library
Free community book repository
open data · Wikipedia · academic research · journalism · public records
national, security, agency, nation, nations, nationally, nationalism, nationalist, nationalistic