National Security Agency

Explore NSA

The National Security Agency (NSA) is a world leader in the protection and exploitation of intelligence. We gather and analyze foreign intelligence to produce vital information for U.S. policy makers and warfighters. And we protect American intelligence from the ever-listening ears of our adversaries, giving our Nation a decisive edge. But it’s what you do with your intelligence that makes the difference.

At the Nation’s top cryptologic organization, you can work with the best and brightest, using your intelligence to solve some of the Nation’s most difficult challenges. Your solutions can play a major role in shaping the course of world history.

Advancing Intelligence

Imagine working with technology so advanced that it won’t become available to the commercial world for many years. Today, NSA conducts one of the U.S. government’s leading research and development programs. NSA is a world leader in many technology fields, employing that technological advantage to protect our data and communications while providing our Nation’s leaders with critical intelligence information. Although we can’t share current successes, a step back in history gives you insight into NSA’s legacy.

Early interest in cryptanalytic research led to the first large-scale computer and the first solid-state computer, predecessors to the modern computer. NSA pioneered efforts in flexible storage capabilities, which led to the development of the cassette tape. NSA also made groundbreaking developments in semiconductor technology, developed the first optical “transistor,” and was involved in early face recognition technology. This is just a glimpse into the past. Envision your role in helping to develop our legacy for future generations.

The NSA Mission

NSA is responsible for carrying out two of the country’s most important and sensitive intelligence activities – Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Information Assurance (IA). SIGINT involves intercepting, decrypting, and analyzing foreign adversaries’ communications to produce intelligence that gives the Nation an information advantage. We are also responsible for the protection of America’s U.S. government information systems, a discipline known as Information Assurance. Together the two missions promote a single goal: information superiority for America and its allies. By its very nature, gathering and protecting intelligence requires a high degree of confidentiality. So, while we can’t tell you exactly what you’ll be working on, we can say your intellect is sure to be challenged and the work you do is sure to be rewarding.

Location

NSA headquarters is conveniently located midway between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

The Baltimore/Washington DC area offers a wealth of cultural amenities and lifestyle advantages. As an employee at our headquarters location, you’ll be within driving distance to sunny beaches as well as majestic mountains and will have the opportunity to enjoy college and major league sports attractions.

Our employees live along the Colonial-era streets of Annapolis and Georgetown; in the suburban surroundings of Columbia; near the excitement of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor; along rolling hills adjacent to working farms; near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay; and amid the monumental history of Washington, DC.

If you would like more information about the Baltimore/Washington area, The State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development sponsors an informative Web site, www.choosemaryland.org. Here you will find a community profiles section that is full of facts on Maryland and its counties. You may also contact the Department toll-free at 1-888-ChooseMD (1-888-246-6736).

Other Locations
We also have locations in Augusta, Georgia; San Antonio, Texas; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Denver, Colorado.

Travel

Field assignments away from NSA headquarters are available for many employees. Locations include overseas and U.S. sites, as well as local assignments in the Maryland/DC/Northern Virginia area. Certain opportunities also exist for employees to live and work in our Georgia, Texas, Hawaii, or Colorado locations.

Please visit our Home Page for more information.