The National Security Agency (NSA) is perhaps the largest secret in the history of the United States. The NSA employs an estimated 32,000 to 52,000 employees and occupies tens of millions of square feet in facilities located across the country and internationally. It owns the second and third most powerful computer systems, and has an estimated budget from 2 to 10 billion (the actual budget is not disclosed). Yet despite the numerous resources gobbled up by the NSA, its operations and information gathered are shrouded in shadows - mainly because if we did find out the security it works so hard to ensure for the nation would be at risk.
The National Security Agency was created in 1952 as a result of an inquiry by President Truman as to the costs, difficulties and logistics of combining the numerous cryptologic bureaus of the United States into a single unit. The Brownwell committee summed up the situation in a report that advised a new agency be created to head both the military, and non military government communications. Previous attempts at unification had failed in part because past unified agencies were headed by committees comprised of parties. The Brownwell committee suggested that the new agency report directly to the Secretary of Defense to help alleviate the problem. In this way, the NSA would circumvent the Army, Navy, Air Force and Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The National Security Agency (deemed 'national' because of the military and non military, or 'national' focus) is shrouded in secrecy, even within the government. Congress is not privy to the actual budget of the NSA, as it is cloaked behind a general defense department budget. And even when the NSA appeals to congress for special budget considerations, the funds are almost always approved. In 1962, a special sub committee was assigned to review a NSA request to congress for a $10 million dollar addition to a building built just five years before for $35 million. The sub committee, after special tours of the facility and a look inside the NSA, came back to congress in full support of the addition.
What happens inside the NSA that brings out the congress's wallets so readily and willingly?
