Signal Intelligence - An Overview

by NSA

The National Security Agency collects, processes and disseminates foreign Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). The old adage that "knowledge is power" has perhaps never been truer than when applied to today's threats against our nation and the role SIGINT plays in overcoming them.

NSA's SIGINT mission protects the nation by:

• Providing information in the form of SIGINT products and services that enable our government to make critical decisions and operate successfully.
• Protecting the rights of U.S. citizens by adhering to the provisions of the 4th amendment to the Constitution.
• Using the nation's resources responsibly, according to the best management processes available.

SIGINT is derived from the signals environment that is described by the graphic above. Other agencies within the Intelligence Community are responsible for other types of intelligence:

Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is primarily the responsibility of the CIA and DIA, Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) belongs to NGA,

Military Intelligence and Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) belongs to DIA.

Together, these different yet complementary disciplines give our nation?s leaders a greater understanding of the intentions of our enemies.

NSA's SIGINT mission provides our military leaders and policy makers with intelligence to ensure our national defense and to advance U.S. global interests. This information is specifically limited to that on foreign powers, organizations or persons and international terrorists. NSA responds to requirements levied by intelligence customers, which includes all departments and levels of the United States Executive Branch.

The prosecution of the SIGINT mission has evolved from the relatively static, industrial age, Cold War communications environment to the ubiquitous, high speed, multi-functional technologies of the today?s information age. The ever-increasing volume, velocity and variety of today?s communications make the production of relevant and timely intelligence for military commanders and national policy makers more challenging than ever.

NSA has a strong tradition of dedicated, highly qualified people deeply committed to maintaining the nation?s security. While technology will obviously continue to be a key element of our future, NSA recognizes that technology is only as good as the people creating it and the people using it. NSA remains committed to its core mission of exploiting the Agency?s deep analytical skill and technological capabilities to ensure the nation maintains a significant strategic advantage in the advancement of U.S. interests around the world.

As much as modern telecommunications technology poses significant challenges to SIGINT, the many languages used in the nations and regions of the world that are of interest to our military and national leaders require NSA to maintain a wide variety of language capabilities. Successful SIGINT depends on the skills of not only language professionals but those of mathematicians, analysts, and engineers, as well. The nation is indebted to them for the successes they have won.

SIGINT plays a vital role in our national security by employing the right people and using the latest technology to provide America?s leaders with the critical information they need to save lives, defend democracy, and promote American values.