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We secure our lives within a couple of organizations, but do we even know what they do? After 9/11, the CIA and FBI’s relationship sensed the strong urge that cooperation was necessary for the wellbeing of the country. As stated on cia.gov, “The relationship between the FBI and the CIA has never been stronger or more productive”. While certain security organizations seem to all be doing the same things, there are huge differences between them, especially regarding their goals, carry out methods, and tactics.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations is an organization that investigates things such as terrorism, counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime, white-collar crime, violent crime, and weapons of mass destruction. On July 26, 1908, Charles J. Bonaparte, who was serving as attorney general at the time, wrote a memo “describing a ‘regular force of special agents’ available to investigate certain cases of the Department of Justice”(fbi.gov). This was considered the birth of the FBI. Today, there are over 35,000 people being employed by the FBI, each making every effort to ensure our safety as American citizens.
The Central Intelligence Agency is an independent agency that provides intelligence regarding the nation’s security state to U.S. Policymakers. Their mission statement reads “Preempt threats and further US national security objectives by collecting intelligence that matters, producing objective all-source analysis, conducting effective covert action as directed by the President, and safeguarding the secrets that help keep our Nation safe” (cia.gov). Formed in 1947, 70 years ago, the CIA has grown a substantial amount following the September 11 attacks.
The National Security Agency was formed in 1952 under Truman’s presidency and to this day, they work under their mission statement which is that “The National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) leads the U.S. Government in cryptology that encompasses both Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Information Assurance (IA) products and services, and enables Computer Network Operations (CNO) in order to gain a decision advantage for the Nation and our allies under all circumstances” (nsa.gov). They currently have around 100,000 employees working cooperatively to ensure the safety of the U.S. citizens.
Comparing Goals
- FBI-Investigate violations related to national security and federal law
- CIA-To collect and analyze foreign intelligence, and to perform covert action
- NSA-Responsible for monitoring and collecting information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes
Comparing Methods & Tactic
- FBI-Method of profiling criminals
- CIA-Uses human intelligence meaning spies.
- NSA-Specializes in the discipline known as signals intelligence (SIGINT) ["information gained by the collection and analysis of the electronic signals and communications of a given target"(whatis.com)]. In other words, monitoring Internet, phones, etc.
The three national security organizations being viewed today are the FBI, CIA, and NSA, each with their own specific goal all centered around the goal of making America a safe place to live in. Although we mostly hear about the times when they mess up, we often fail to recognize all the times that have been there, especially during national crises, and revolving their lives around protecting ours.
FUTURE RESEARCH QUESTION:
- What are some past controversial events within the NSA in particular?
- How much funding does government protective agencies receive?
- Who are the main figures of our defense organizations?
