A Code Of Ethics And Professional Conduct For NSA Intelligence Professionals

The National Security Agency, established in 1952 by President Truman, has continued its cryptologic heritage in both the Signals Intelligence and Information Assurance missions. These missions entail collecting foreign intelligence for U.S. Government decision makers, from the President to senior civilian and military leaders. NSA s SIGINT information is used to protect the U.S. military and allies, to fight terrorism, and to support diplomacy. Its Information Assurance mission protects national security information and ensures that government leaders receive this information securely and reliably. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, NSA, as well as the U.S. Intelligence Community, Military and other Government Agencies, were called upon to prevent future terrorist attacks. The ensuing Global War on Terror required increased intelligence gathering. Throughout its history, NSA has periodically weathered public criticism. Recent releases of volumes of classified information has caused ongoing criticism and examination despite having inflicted grave damage to U.S. National security. Moreover, recent public debates, while a necessary, integral part of our American democratic society, put untold stress on NSA employees, who traditionally, necessarily work in silence. The intent of this paper is to urge NSA leaders to use new positive mechanisms, in addition to established legal and punitive means, to strengthen employee accountability and trust as releases of classified information continue and once-secret tools and techniques are examined publicly. This paper proposes that NSA establish a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to strengthen team cohesion and help employees resolve dilemmas about mission. It argues that articulating a Code of expected and aspirational behaviors will improve workforce resilience and thus protect against possible future releases of classified information.