National Security Agency is one of the important agencies of US government. It is a unit under the US department of defense tasked with the responsibility of collecting and analyzing various forms of foreign communication, as well as signals of intelligence, to detect potential threats to the country’s security. It is also tasked with the responsibility of protecting United States’ information and communication systems (Bamford 4).
The mission of NSA have been widely cited as eavesdropping radio broadcasts, telephone conversations, internet communication , among other forms of technological communication. Its mission to secure communication pertains to the diplomatic and military duties, as well as securing the secretive government communication systems. It is argued to be one of the largest mathematician employers across the globe. Additionally, it is argued to be one of the agencies with super-designed computers and software. The agency collects and stores over a billion communication conversations and messages each day. NSA is legally bound to gather intelligence from foreign communications. However, in some instances they extended to the domestic communications, as in the case of the controversial NSA warrantless surveillance.
As a component of the Intelligence Community of United States headed by the Director of National Intelligence, National security Agency is commanded either by the vice admiral or by the lieutenant general. National Security agency activities are linked to the United States military cryptanalysis agencies via the Central Security Service (CSS). The Directors to NSA also serve as the chiefs of the CSS, as well as the Commander in charge of the US Cyber Command. This interlink depicts the crucial position occupied by the agency (Patrick, Chatter and Radden 23).
Whereas NSA is pivotal to US security, it has not been without criticisms. Considering that every form of communication technology has an allowance for intrusion and eavesdrop, NSA has been criticized for violating the right to privacy of people. However, the agency programs have been defended on the account that that they are implemented in accordance to the law. The law stipulation limits any agency or groups from eavesdropping communication between US citizens, unless by virtue of issue of warrant. Even so, questions have been raised on whether it is justified for NSA to violate the rights of non-US citizens.
Wiretapping programs have also turned out to be particularly controversial. For instance, after President Nixon regime, various investigations pertaining to the misuse of NSA facilities were launched. The investigations uncovered secrets such as the President Kennedy’s plan for Castro assassination and the wiretaps that were targeted against citizens (Church Committee 7). Incidences of warrantless wiretaps have been reported during the Bush and Obama administration, attracting public concerns. However, the United States President is entitled constitutional powers to authorize warrantless wiretap programs. According to Bamford (23), NSA activities related to the establishment of echelons have not been spared of the criticism. NSA has been dismissed for going beyond national security interests to advance stakes such as advancing economic and political espionage to frustrate opponents. At least, this has been the view of countries outside the echelons.
In conclusion, NSA is pivotal in maintaining the security of the country against foreign threats. It achieves this by monitoring various forms of communication. Although its programs are indispensable, they are marred with controversy. The programs are criticized for violating the right to privacy. Lastly, the NSA has been criticized for advancing self-vested interests such as political and economic spying, and fulfilling vested interests of a few individuals in power. Each time this occurs, accusing fingers are pointed towards those in power, including the congress and the president, attracting controversies.
Work Cited
Bamford, James. “The Agencies That Could Be Big Brothers” New York Times, December 25, 2005. Print.
Church Committee, Intelligence Activity and the Right of Americans: 1976 US Senate Reports on Illegal Wiretap and Domestic Espionage by the CIA, FBI and NSA. Black and Red Publisher, 2008. Print
Patrick, Chatter and Radden, Keefe. Dispatches from the Secret Worlds of Global Eavesdropping, Random House, 2008. Print.
