What is the main goal of the National Security Agency (NSA)?

The primary mission of the National Security Agency (NSA) is to collect, process, and disseminate signals intelligence (SIGINT) for national security. This encompasses various forms of communication data, including both foreign and domestic signals, to monitor and protect the nation's security interests. The NSA plays a critical role in the intelligence community by intercepting electronic communications and data to gather information on potential threats, foreign adversaries, and terrorist activities.

While developing cyber defense strategies, overseeing domestic terrorism investigations, and facilitating international intelligence sharing are important functions within the broader scope of national security, they do not encapsulate the core mission of the NSA, which is to primarily focus on the collection and analysis of communication signals. This focus on signal intelligence is essential for informing policymakers and supporting military operations, making it a fundamental aspect of the NSA's role in safeguarding national security.