What does the NSA look for?
Asked by: Loma Lynch | Last update: April 12, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (62 votes)
What does the NSA look for in applicants?
U.S. citizenship—If you hold dual citizenship, you are eligible to apply for employment. Successfully completing our suitability process, which includes both security and psychological processing. Personal integrity and conduct—we evaluate this during the suitability process.
What does the NSA focus on?
What does the NSA do? The National Security Agency leads the U.S. government in cryptology that encompasses both signals intelligence (SIGINT) insights, cybersecurity products and services and enables computer network operations to gain a decisive advantage for the nation and our allies.
What skills is the NSA looking for?
- Computer engineering.
- Computer networking and security.
- Computer science or programming.
- Cybersecurity.
- Data science and analysis.
- Electrical engineering.
- Information assurance.
- Information technology or systems.
What does the NSA look for in a background check?
The background investigation helps determine a candidate's stability, trustworthiness, reliability, discretion, character, honesty, judgment and unquestioned loyalty to the United States. During the background investigation, previous and current employment, education and residences are verified.
The NSA and surveillance ... made simple - animation
What is a red flag on background check?
A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.
Can I tell people I work for NSA?
You should also ask them not to publicize your association with NSA. Should strangers or casual acquaintances question you about your place of employment, an appropriate reply would be that you work for the Department of Defense.
What kind of people does the NSA look for?
Because we protect some of our nation's most coveted information while exploiting that of our adversaries, each NSA employee must be a loyal, trustworthy U.S. citizen and must qualify for a TOP SECRET clearance.
How hard is it to get hired by NSA?
Becoming an employee of the United States' most hush-hush intelligence agency isn't as easy as simply sending in your resume. It takes an immaculate record, a thorough understanding of your field, and an unwavering commitment to national security to even be considered for a position.
What is the acceptance rate for the NSA?
NSA is ranked among the top 20 employers for computer science graduates, he said, and has earned five external honors for excellence. NSA's intern program attracts 9,000 applications a year from top colleges, of which 1,000 are considered and 280 invited for interviews, 70 percent of which get hired, he said.
Which is bigger, NSA or CIA?
The National Security Agency is a national-level intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, and operates under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence. The NSA is the largest United States intelligence organization, however, the number of people who work in the agency is classified.
Does the NSA listen to phone calls?
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act permits the U.S. government to engage in mass, warrantless surveillance of Americans' international communications, including phone calls, texts, emails, social media messages, and web browsing.
Who does the NSA hire?
From STEM professionals to foreign language experts, intelligence analysts to business managers, NSA offers extraordinary global opportunities to professionals in hundreds of fields. Put your intelligence to work alongside a talented growing workforce to help defend our Nation and secure the future.
Does the NSA pay well?
As of Jan 18, 2025, the average annual pay for a Cyber Security Nsa in the United States is $132,962 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $63.92 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,556/week or $11,080/month.
What to expect at NSA interview?
General question is about your background and how it algins with NSA's mission. Behavioral questions include many "Describe a situation". Technical questions assess your domain-specific knowledge. Explain the difference between service, client, and machine.
Where do NSA employees live?
NSA headquarters and living in the area
and Washington, D.C. Our employees live along the colonial-era streets of Annapolis and Georgetown; in the suburban surroundings of Columbia, Md.; near the excitement of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore's Inner Harbor; in the countryside and near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.
How hard is the NSA test?
NSA Matrix Test Prep - the NSA Matrix Test is a challenging NSA test that requires sharp abstract reasoning abilities and deductive skills. To learn more about the test and gain access to free practice questions as well as our accurate PrepPack, visit our NSA Matrix Test Page.
What GPA do you need for the NSA?
To start with, the NSA is looking for academic excellence. The minimum GPA requirement for the Stokes program is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a 25 on the ACT or 1200 on the SAT. However, you should strive for higher scores to make yourself more competitive.
Do NSA employees carry guns?
An NSA Police Career involves the protection of NSA buildings, as well as agency personnel, resources and equipment. NSA Police officers wear uniforms and are licensed to carry firearms.
What is the controversy with the NSA?
The NSA's actions have been a matter of political controversy on several occasions, including its spying on anti–Vietnam War leaders and the agency's participation in economic espionage.
Can the NSA see my search history?
National Security Agency/Central Security Service keeps track of the Web sites and pages our customers visit within National Security Agency/Central Security Service, in order to determine what National Security Agency/Central Security Service services are the most popular.
Does the NSA drug test?
All potential employees must: Obtain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance. Successfully complete a drug test to screen for illegal drug use.
How long does the NSA hiring process take?
One week to two months.
To be considered for NSA employment, you must apply online at IntelligenceCareers.gov/NSA. Only candidates who are deemed qualified and viable for the position they applied for will be contacted to schedule their initial pre-employment appointments (Interview and/or Testing).
How much does a NSA worker make?
How much does a National Security Agency make in Los Angeles, California? As of Jan 10, 2025, the average hourly pay for a National Security Agency in Los Angeles is $30.63 an hour.
Can NSA work from home?
“Although there's a limit to how many of our people can, you know, work from home and telework, all of our meetings within NSA facilities are now virtual,” he said.