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America's aluminum siding Established in 1952 by President Truman, the National Security Agency (NSA) is an independent unit of the Department of Defense. Truman designated the Secretary of Defense as Executive Agent for the signals intelligence and communications security activities of the Government. In a 1984 Presidential directive, the Agency was charged with information systems security and, in 1986, NSA became a combat support agency of the Department of Defense. Signals Intelligence, or SIGINT, intercepts, decodes, and analyzes foreign electromagnetic signals to produce intelligence reports. SIGINT got its start in World War II, when the U.S. cracked Japanese military code and learned of the Midway Island invasion. The subsequent defeat of Japan's superior fleet is credited with shortening the war by a year. Information Systems Security, or INFOSEC, involves the protection of all classified information stored on or sent through government computers, telephones, and other communications devices. Think of INFOSEC as America's aluminum siding, ensuring that government systems are impenetrable. A company of geniuses The National Security Agency is one of the most important centers for research and analysis of foreign languages. By necessity, it is at the forefront of world communications and data processing. Among its ranks are the country's best codemakers and breakers. The NSA is also purported to be one of the largest employers of mathematicians in the United States, and possibly the world. These number wizards help to develop the systems that protect the nation's information systems, and work to break adversaries' codes. The agency's workforce also includes analysts, engineers, physicists, mathematicians, linguists, computer scientists, researchers, customer relations specialists, security officers, data flow experts, managers, and administrative and clerical assistants. National "Service" Agency When it comes to serving the public, the NSA does more than just crack codes. The agency and its employees are committed to protecting the environment and contributing to the local community. For example, NSA's Environmental Management Services organization works with groups including the National Park Service and the Maryland Department of the Environment to ensure its compliance with federal, state, and local environment regulations. Agency employees participate in annual blood donation and bone marrow screening programs. Amidst criticism of its alleged "Big Brother" behavior (largely due to its controversial surveillance program, Echelon), the NSA has attempted to improve its image through such community service. Minority magnet The agency has also been lauded for progressive programs aimed at attracting minority and handicapped workers. It works to attract minorities to its undergraduate training program, which offers tuition money, summer internships, and guaranteed full-time jobs after graduation. In addition, the NSA's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity recently created a Center for Computer Assistive Technology - which provides assistive technology devices and information resources to employees that are visually, hearing, or mobility impaired. Privatizing the non-private systems In mid-2000, the NSA announced plans to update its unclassified information technology infrastructure by contracting a private company. In a move labeled by NSA officials as a "dramatic change in NSA's long-standing IT operations," the agency is expected to pay as much as $5 billion to a private contractor; 2,000 layoffs also will result from the plan. The NSA also hired Andersen Consulting to support and maintain its information systems software. The move toward privatization occurred after the NSA's supposedly invincible shell was exposed as flawed. In February 2000, the agency's computer system crashed for four days, apparently due to the antiquated state of the system. Additionally, the NSA is increasingly unable to intercept electronic communications in light of powerful new encryption technology.
The NSA hires full-time, summer, and co-op employees. Positions include Mathematicians, Computer and Electrical Engineers, Computer Scientists, and Language Specialists (Asian, Middle Eastern, and Slavic - except Russian). Applicants and their immediate family members must be U.S. citizens, have had a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.5 for mathematicians), and must apply at least four months before graduating from college - background checks precede an offer of employment. Resumes should be sent to the above address. Sources tell us that "the standards for hiring" at the NSA "are high - very high," and that recent college grads are often given "an aptitude test that covers the ability to learn new languages, logic, and mathematics." Candidates then go through "personal interviews and a polygraph." One source does note that "if you have a hard degree or a needed language, the process can be a little more streamlined." Everyone hired at the NSA is subjected to a background check. Says one contact about the process, "they basically interview anyone and everyone you've ever had contact with. People such as teachers, pastors, former employers, childhood friends, neighbors, banks, and credit card companies." They ask questions about topics ranging from drug use and gambling habits to assessment of personalities. "Believe me," notes a contact, "if you thought something was long buried and forgotten, this background check will dredge it up." One longtime employee gives prospective hires this piece of advice: "Lay it out, baby. Tell it the way it is: your background, your associations, your finances, whatever. Tell the truth. In the final analysis, the dirt does not necessarily do you in. Just don't try to smoke the personnel and security people."
No Such Agency? In the early 1980s, "the joke was that NSA stood for "No Such Agency," one source tells Vault.com. "There has been a big change over the past few years," says another contact. "Nowadays we have a Web site, a cryptologic museum, and signs on the side of the Baltimore/Washington Parkway." But the truth be told, the NSA remains "the Federal Government's most secretive agency." Reveals an insider, "almost nothing you do here can be discussed outside the agency - even with your spouse, your parents, or anyone else not cleared for the particular area you're working in." Another insider supports this theory: "I have been here for more than three years and my mother still doesn't know what I do. You have to adjust to the secretive nature of your work and be comfortable not explaining what you do for a living at cocktail parties." No discussion allowed The agency describes its opportunities as "the most exciting careers you can't possibly discuss," and NSA insiders agree. "The work is fascinating," one claims, describing vast opportunities "in intelligence reporting, translation, mathematics, and technical areas." If you're "ambitious and willing to travel, you're in luck," notes another, "because NSA employees work in locations all over the world." Another contact reveals that "there is also a lot of support for crossing over." Furthermore, the agency pays for qualified employees to further their educations. "I have a BA in Political Science," notes a source, "but I moved into computer applications and was able to get my Masters in IT here." Employees may also take classes at the NSA National Cryptological School. Part of the White House family tree NSA employees are very proud of the agency and the work they do. "As an employee," explains a longtime insider, "you are an extension of the President and the executive branch and the Department of Defense." The agency is "very pro-employee - meaning it is pretty easy to get your ideas heard. Operational and organizational suggestions, if they are worthwhile, will be implemented." Supreme overachievers According to at least one informant, "in general, the people here are supreme overachievers. The rest are highly motivated workers." Another source agrees: "The people are terrific, though some of them are weird. Lots of smart people - mathematicians, electronics engineers, linguists - are just weird. NSA has its share of them." One informant reports that you're also bound to find "the usual brown-nosing, back-stabbing, ladder-climbing type-A personalities;" and a few people "backstroke down the leftward side of the Bell Curve." But on the whole, that source continues, "most of the people here are average, every day folks." GS Compensation is pretty predictable, as "NSA follows the standard GS (Government Service) grading system for pay, which is based on seniority." Most salaries "start at about GS 5, 7, or 9 and go up to GS 15 or more." Employees say a "normal work week" at NSA "is about 40 hours." "If you like your job, you work 50 or 60 hours, but people who don't like their jobs don't work more than the minimum." Sources assure us that "if you work at NSA, you will like your job." And if, for some reason, you find yourself craving something different, "you will have ample opportunity to change your job within the system and without prejudice." Off on almost every holiday known to man Since NSA employees are public servants, "there are no perks, per se." But "you do get off on almost every holiday known to man" and "the benefits are pretty good." Employees have access to the NSA fitness center "for about $10 a month," and many insiders take advantage of educational opportunities offered by the agency. "Get in with the government," advises a happy contact. "Their long-term benefits are very good and downsizing or layoffs are almost nonexistent."
Human Resources More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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