The National Security Agency (NSA) is the central producer and manager of signals intelligence for the United States. The NSA operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, and reports to the Director of National Intelligence.
As part
of these streamlining responsibilities, the agency has a co-located
organization called the Central Security Service, which was created to
facilitate cooperation between NSA and other U.S. military cryptanalysis
components. The NSA Director, who is at least a lieutenant general or
vice admiral, also serves as the Commander of the United States Cyber
Command and Chief of the Central Security Service.
While the CIA serves as the national coordinator for human intelligence (HUMINT), the NSA is tasked with coordination and deconfliction of national SIGINT missions across the intelligence community, with all other government establishments being prevented by law from engaging in such activities without the approval of the Defense Secretary following consultations with the NSA.
Estimated to be one of the largest U.S. intelligence agencies in terms of personnel and budget, the NSA is primarily tasked with collecting and analyzing information and data of foreign intelligence and counterintelligence value, including through clandestine means. The agency is also responsible for the protection of U.S. government communications and information systems, which involves information security, cryptanalysis and cryptography. Due to the organization's secrecy, NSA is at times explained to stand for "No Such Agency" or "Never Say Anything".
Source : Wikipedia
