Which is bigger, NSA or CIA?

Asked by: Natalia Hane  |  Last update: June 8, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (51 votes)

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.

Who is higher than the NSA?

The National Security Agency (NSA) is an intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Is the NSA the most powerful?

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) are two of the most powerful intelligence agencies in the world, with far-reaching influence on global affairs.

What is the most powerful Central Intelligence Agency?

Top 10 Intelligence Agencies in the World, Some from Asia
  1. 1 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ...
  2. 2 The Ministry of State Security (MSS) ...
  3. 3 SVR RF and FSB. ...
  4. 4 Mossad. ...
  5. 5 The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) ...
  6. 6 Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) ...
  7. 7 MI6. ...
  8. 8 Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)

What department is above the NSA?

As a Defense Agency, NSA operates under the authority of the Department of Defense. As a member of the Intelligence Community, NSA also operates under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

America's intelligence community, explained

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Who outranks the FBI?

Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.

What are the big 5 intelligence agencies?

Nine Department of Defense elements—the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and intelligence elements of the five DoD services; the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.

Who does the CIA answer to?

The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (DCIA) serves as the head of the CIA and reports to the Director of National Intelligence.

Who is world No. 1 agency?

1. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - US.

How is NSA different from CIA?

The CIA is more focused on gathering human intelligence, while the NSA is largely focused on signals intelligence. Additionally, the NSA has a relatively strong focus on maintaining cyber security, while the CIA is more focused on traditional intelligence gathering.

Who is more secret than CIA?

The National Security Agency (NSA), buried deep in the Defense Department, remains behind the curtain of official protection that in the past covered all intelligence organizations. Consider its position: Although it employs more people than the CIA does, its charter remains totally secret, as does its budget.

Does NSA 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.

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.

Why can't CIA operate on U.S. soil?

By law, CIA is specifically prohibited from collecting foreign intelligence concerning the domestic activities of US citizens. Its mission is to collect information related to foreign intelligence and foreign counterintelligence.

Do the CIA and NSA work together?

CIA and NSA have a tradition of being able to work well together during a crisis or on a critical issue with predefined roles and responsibilities.

Which country has the best secret intelligence?

The world's top 5 intelligence agencies: Powerhouses of espionage and global security
  • CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) – United States. ...
  • Mossad – Israel. ...
  • MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service) – United Kingdom. ...
  • DGSE (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure) – France. ...
  • MSS (Ministry of State Security) – China.

How good is the Mossad?

With an annual budget of about $3bn and 7,000 staff, Mossad is the second-largest espionage agency in the Western world after the CIA. That makes the person chosen to be the head of Mossad very powerful. David 'Dadi' Barnea took over from Yossi Cohen in June 2021.

Are there secret government agencies?

Central Intelligence Agency

The CIA is the most recognized intelligence agency, known for spying on foreign governments and conducting covert operations, including funneling money to opposition groups in other countries to sway elections or oust certain foreign leaders.

What are CIA spies called?

Other countries use the same terminology in different ways. In the United States, for instance, an agent is a member of an intelligence or security agency such as the FBI or CIA. Such agencies call a covert human intelligence source an "informant" rather than an "agent."

What branch is above the CIA?

The CIA is not within a cabinet level department so it stands alone except for some budgetary control and priorities by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

How hard is it to get into CIA?

One variable is education. All CIA positions require a bachelor's degree, but some may prefer or require a master's or doctorate degree. Another variable is experience: Most CIA jobs want at least at least one year of prior experience, but some require three to five years.

Who does CIA report to?

The D/CIA also oversees the management of foreign intelligence acquired by human sources, what we call HUMINT. The CIA Director is nominated by the President with the advice, consent, and confirmation of the Senate. The D/CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence.

Why is the CIA so powerful?

The CIA serves as the national manager for HUMINT, coordinating activities across the IC. It also carries out covert action at the behest of the president. The CIA exerts foreign political influence through its paramilitary operations units, including its Special Activities Center.

What is the largest secret service in the world?

1. CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the U.S. Government, tasked with gathering, processing and analysing national security information from around the world, primarily through the use of human intelligence (HUMINT).