CPT530 : AMERICAN CRYPTOGRAPHY : NSA file
---The need to safeguard one's own communications while attempting to produce intelligence from foreign communications has long been a recognized part of governmental activity.
In the American experience, cryptologic efforts can be traced to the very beginnings of the American nation. George Washington employed Elbridge Gerry (later Vice President of the United States) to solve the suspected cryptograms of a spy. Thomas Jefferson included the making of codes and ciphers among his many interests, putting his efforts to use in both private correspondence and public business. One of his inventions, the cipher wheel, has been described as being in "the front rank" of cryptologic inventions.
The American Civil War created a new urgency for techniques in both cryptography (the manufacture of codes and ciphers) and cryptanalysis (the breaking of codes and ciphers). It also introduced new elements into both processes -- telegraphy and significant advances in the use of signal flags and torches. These methods of transmitting information permitted rapid communication from one outpost to another or from a commander to his subordinates, but also brought with them new dangers of the loss of that information to an enemy.
The creation of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reflected the desire for unified national coordination and direction of important defense and security matters. In 1949, President Truman endorsed the creation of the Armed Forces Security Agency, an effort to integrate where possible the operations of the service cryptologic establishments, augmented now by the creation of a separate Air Force. Even this proved inadequate, both in providing for central control of military cryptology and in meeting the needs of civilian agencies for communications intelligence and security. Building on the AFSA experience, a committee established by President Truman proposed the creation of a national-level cryptologic organization, a recommendation leading to the establishment of the NSA.
The National Security Agency has current headquarters at Fort Meade, MD. Additional sites and activities under NSA control or direction are maintained at a number of locations in the United States and overseas. From these facilities, signals intelligence and communications security support is provided to military commands and to civilian policy makers. Though only forty-five years old, the National Security Agency is the heir to two centuries of dedicated contribution to the defense of the United States.---
Produced by
The Center for Cryptologic History
In the American experience, cryptologic efforts can be traced to the very beginnings of the American nation. George Washington employed Elbridge Gerry (later Vice President of the United States) to solve the suspected cryptograms of a spy. Thomas Jefferson included the making of codes and ciphers among his many interests, putting his efforts to use in both private correspondence and public business. One of his inventions, the cipher wheel, has been described as being in "the front rank" of cryptologic inventions.
The American Civil War created a new urgency for techniques in both cryptography (the manufacture of codes and ciphers) and cryptanalysis (the breaking of codes and ciphers). It also introduced new elements into both processes -- telegraphy and significant advances in the use of signal flags and torches. These methods of transmitting information permitted rapid communication from one outpost to another or from a commander to his subordinates, but also brought with them new dangers of the loss of that information to an enemy.
The creation of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reflected the desire for unified national coordination and direction of important defense and security matters. In 1949, President Truman endorsed the creation of the Armed Forces Security Agency, an effort to integrate where possible the operations of the service cryptologic establishments, augmented now by the creation of a separate Air Force. Even this proved inadequate, both in providing for central control of military cryptology and in meeting the needs of civilian agencies for communications intelligence and security. Building on the AFSA experience, a committee established by President Truman proposed the creation of a national-level cryptologic organization, a recommendation leading to the establishment of the NSA.
The National Security Agency has current headquarters at Fort Meade, MD. Additional sites and activities under NSA control or direction are maintained at a number of locations in the United States and overseas. From these facilities, signals intelligence and communications security support is provided to military commands and to civilian policy makers. Though only forty-five years old, the National Security Agency is the heir to two centuries of dedicated contribution to the defense of the United States.---
Produced by
The Center for Cryptologic History
posted by Sir Alfred Darknight at 10:19 PM
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