Which of the following federal agencies coordinates, directs, and performs highly specialized activities to protect U.S. information systems and produces foreign intelligence information?

Question

Options

• ANational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• BNational Security AgencyCentral Security Service (NSACSS)
• CCommittee on National Security Systems (CNSS)
• DUnited States Congress

• A
  2% (1)
• B
  92% (45)
• C
  2% (1)
• D
  4% (2)

Explanation

NSA/CSS (Option B) is correct because the National Security Agency/Central Security Service has a dual mission: it protects U.S. government information systems (defensive) and collects foreign signals intelligence (offensive/intelligence gathering) - making it the only agency here that does both.

Why the others are wrong:

• NIST (A) develops standards and guidelines (like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework) but does not collect foreign intelligence or perform operational security missions.
• CNSS (C) sets national-level policy and directives for information security across the U.S. government, but is a policy committee - not an operational or intelligence agency.
• U.S. Congress (D) is a legislative body that writes laws; it has no role in executing cybersecurity or intelligence operations.

Memory tip: Think "NSA = No Secrets Allowed (for adversaries)" - the NSA both locks down U.S. systems and breaks into foreign ones. The dual CSS designation hints at its two-sided mission. If an exam question mentions both protecting domestic systems and producing foreign intelligence, NSA/CSS is always the answer.

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