At a Glance

• Established by the 1947 National Security Act
• Employs roughly 21,000 professionals
• Headquartered in Langley, Virginia
• Operates worldwide across many fields

Its Mission

• Collect and analyze foreign intelligence
• Conduct covert action when authorized
• Support national security decision-makers
• Advance and protect U.S. interests

Legal Authority

• Acts under the National Security Act
• Requires a finding for covert action
• Protects intelligence sources and methods
• Answers to Congressional oversight

Collects Intelligence

• Run human and signals sources
• Exploit open-source information
• Build foreign partnerships
• Track governments, groups, and threats

Produces Analysis

• Turn raw data into timely judgments
• Write the President's Daily Brief
• Inform policymakers objectively
• Deliver products across government

Covert Action

• Act only with presidential finding
• Influence events to support objectives
• Counter threats discreetly
• Stay within legal authority

Supports Security

• Brief military commanders
• Advise the National Security Council
• Inform operations and strategy
• Coordinate the Intelligence Community

What It Avoids

• Hold no domestic law-enforcement role
• Make no arrests
• Avoid spying on U.S. citizens at home
• Stay outside policymaking decisions