Editing National Security Agency (section)

=== Headquarters ===
==== History of headquarters ====
[[File:NSA-Fort Meade-1950.png|thumb|Headquarters at [[Fort Meade]] circa 1950s]]

When the agency was first established, its headquarters and cryptographic center were in the Naval Security Station in Washington, D.C. The COMINT functions were located in [[Arlington Hall]] in [[Northern Virginia]], which served as the headquarters of the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]'s cryptographic operations.<ref name=60yearsp15>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|url=https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|access-date=July 6, 2013|page=15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022314/http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|archive-date=2013-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> Because the [[Soviet Union]] had detonated a nuclear bomb and because the facilities were crowded, the federal government wanted to move several agencies, including the AFSA/NSA. A planning committee considered [[Fort Knox]], but [[Fort George G. Meade|Fort Meade]], [[Maryland]], was ultimately chosen as NSA headquarters because it was far enough away from Washington, D.C. in case of a nuclear strike and was close enough so its employees would not have to move their families.<ref name="60yearsp10" />

Construction of additional buildings began after the agency occupied buildings at Fort Meade in the late 1950s, which they soon outgrew.<ref name=60yearsp10>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|url=https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|access-date=July 6, 2013|page=10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022314/http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|archive-date=2013-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1963 the new headquarters building, nine stories tall, opened. NSA workers referred to the building as the "Headquarters Building" and since the NSA management occupied the top floor, workers used "Ninth Floor" to refer to their leaders.<ref>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|url=https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|access-date=July 6, 2013|page=23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022314/http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|archive-date=2013-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> COMSEC remained in Washington, D.C., until its new building was completed in 1968.<ref name=60yearsp10 /> In September 1986, the Operations 2A and 2B buildings, both copper-shielded to prevent [[eavesdropping]], opened with a dedication by President [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref name=60yearsp39 /> The four NSA buildings became known as the "Big Four."<ref name=60yearsp39 /> The NSA director moved to 2B when it opened.<ref name=60yearsp39>{{cite web|title=60 Years of Defending Our Nation|publisher=National Security Agency|year=2012|url=https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|access-date=July 6, 2013|page=39|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022314/http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/60th/book/NSA_60th_Anniversary.pdf|archive-date=2013-06-14|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:National Security Agency, 2013.jpg|thumb|National Security Agency headquarters in Fort Meade, 2013]]
Headquarters for the National Security Agency is located at {{Coord|39|6|32|N|76|46|17|W|display=inline}} in [[Fort George G. Meade]], [[Maryland]], although it is separate from other compounds and agencies that are based within this same military installation. Fort Meade is about {{convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Baltimore]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/Units/MarineCryptologicSupportBattalion/NewJoins.aspx|title=Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion: Intelligence Department: Fort Meade, MD: New Joins|publisher=United States Marine Corps|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020759/http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/intelligence/Units/MarineCryptologicSupportBattalion/NewJoins.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> and {{convert|25|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of Washington, D.C.<ref name="SundayTimes">"Just off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, about 25 miles northeast of Washington, is a secret city. Fort Meade, in suburban Maryland, is home to the National Security Agency—the NSA, sometimes wryly referred to as No Such Agency or Never Say Anything." "It contains almost 70 miles of roads, 1,300 buildings, each identified by a number, and 18,000 parking spaces as well as a shopping center, golf courses, chain restaurants and every other accouterment of Anywhere, USA." in {{cite news |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Americas/article1271197.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020751/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Americas/article1271197.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 14, 2013 |title=Free introduction to Who's reading your emails? |work=[[The Sunday Times]] |date=June 9, 2013 |access-date=June 11, 2013 }}{{subscription required}}</ref> The NSA has two dedicated exits off [[Baltimore–Washington Parkway]]. The Eastbound exit from the Parkway (heading toward Baltimore) is open to the public and provides employee access to its main campus and public access to the National Cryptology Museum. The Westbound side exit, (heading toward Washington) is labeled "NSA Employees Only".<ref>Sernovitz, Daniel J. "[http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2010/08/23/daily33.html?page=all NSA opens doors for local businesses] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020853/http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2010/08/23/daily33.html?page=all |date=2013-06-14 }}." ''[[Baltimore Business Journal]]''. August 26, 2010. Updated August 27, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2013. "But for many more, the event was the first time attendees got the chance to take the "NSA Employees Only" exit off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway beyond the restricted gates of the agency's headquarters."</ref><ref>Weiland and Wilsey, p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BywaW1f4iQ4C&pg=PA208 208]. "[...]housing integration has invalidated Montpelier's Ivory Pass and the National Security Agency has posted an exit ramp off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway that reads NSA."</ref> The exit may only be used by people with the proper clearances, and security vehicles parked along the road guard the entrance.<ref>Grier, Peter, and Harry Bruinius. "[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0618/In-the-end-NSA-might-not-need-to-snoop-so-secretly In the end, NSA might not need to snoop so secretly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626224500/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0618/In-the-end-NSA-might-not-need-to-snoop-so-secretly |date=2013-06-26 }}." ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''. June 18, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2013.</ref>

NSA is the largest employer in the state of Maryland, and two-thirds of its personnel work at Fort Meade.<ref name=Barnett /> Built on {{convert|350|acre|ha sqmi|lk=off}}<ref name=Gorman>{{cite news|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=NSA risking electrical overload|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/08/06/nsa-risking-electrical-overload/|date=August 6, 2006|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|access-date=June 10, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020806/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-08-06/news/0608060158_1_agency-power-surges-nsa|url-status=live}}</ref> of Fort Meade's {{convert|5000|acre|ha sqmi|adj=off}},<ref>{{cite news|author=Dozier, Kimberly|date=June 9, 2013|title=NSA claims know-how to ensure no illegal spying|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nsa-finder-and-keeper-countless-us-secrets|agency=Associated Press|access-date=June 12, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020805/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nsa-finder-and-keeper-countless-us-secrets|url-status=dead}}</ref> the site has 1,300 buildings and an estimated 18,000 parking spaces.<ref name=SundayTimes /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/01/13/geeks-r-us/|date=January 13, 2010|title=Geeks 'R' us|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020802/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-01-13/news/bal-ed.cybersecurity13jan13_1_cyber-security-cyber-command-national-security-agency|archive-date=June 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| footer = NSA headquarters building in [[Fort George G. Meade|Fort Meade]] (left), [[NSOC]] (right)
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The main NSA headquarters and operations building is what [[James Bamford]], author of ''[[Body of Secrets]]'', describes as "a modern boxy structure" that appears similar to "any stylish office building."<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''[[Body of Secrets]]: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=VqY4Wr3T5K4C&pg=PA488 p. 488]. "At the heart of the invisible city is NSA's massive Headquarters/Operations Building. With more than sixty-eight acres of floor space,[...]" and "Entrance is first made through the two-story Visitor Control Center, one[...]"</ref> The building is covered with one-way dark glass, which is lined with copper shielding to prevent espionage by trapping in signals and sounds.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488 /> It contains {{convert|3000000|sqft|sqm}}, or more than {{convert|68|acre|ha}}, of floor space; Bamford said that the [[U.S. Capitol]] "could easily fit inside it four times over."<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488 />

The facility has over 100 watchposts,<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488489>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency'', p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=VqY4Wr3T5K4C&pg=PA488 488]–489. "[...]one of more than 100 fixed watch posts within the secret city manned by the armed NSA police. It is here that clearances are checked and visitor badges are issued."</ref> one of them being the visitor control center, a two-story area that serves as the entrance.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp488 /> At the entrance, a white pentagonal structure,<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp490>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency'', p. 490. "And then there is the red badge—[...]and is normally worn by people working in the "Red Corridor"—the drugstore and other concession areas[...]Those with a red badge are forbidden to go anywhere near classified information and are restricted to a few corridors and administrative areas—the bank, the barbershop, the cafeteria, the credit union, the airline and entertainment ticket counters." and "Once inside the white, pentagonal Visitor Control Center, employees are greeted by a six-foot painting of the NSA seal[...]"</ref> visitor badges are issued to visitors and security clearances of employees are checked.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp489>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency'', p. 489. "It is here that clearances are checked and visitor badges are issued."</ref> The visitor center includes a painting of the NSA seal.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp490 />

The OPS2A building, the tallest building in the NSA complex and the location of much of the agency's operations directorate is accessible from the visitor center. Bamford described it as a "dark glass [[Rubik's Cube]]".<ref>[[James Bamford|Bamford]], ''Body of Secrets: Anatomy of the Ultra-Secret National Security Agency'', p. 491. "From the Visitor Control Center, one enters the eleven-story, million OPS2A, the tallest building in the City. Shaped like a dark glass Rubik's Cube, the building houses much of NSA's Operations Directorate, which is responsible for processing the ocean of intercepts and prying open the complex cipher systems."</ref> The facility's "red corridor" houses non-security operations such as concessions and the drug store. The name refers to the "red badge" which is worn by someone without a security clearance. The NSA headquarters includes a cafeteria, a credit union, ticket counters for airlines and entertainment, a barbershop, and a bank.<ref name=BamfordBodyofSecretsp490 /> NSA headquarters has its own post office, fire department, and police force.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsa.gov/careers/career_fields/others.shtml |title=Career Fields/Other Opportunities/NSA Police Officers section of the NSA website |publisher=Nsa.gov |access-date=October 9, 2013 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011133816/http://www.nsa.gov/careers/career_fields/others.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=T.C. Carrington|author2=Debra L.Z. Potts|url=https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/newsletters/Newsletter_Sept_1999.pdf|title=''National Security Agency Newsletter'', Protective Services-More Than Meets the Eye. An Overview of NSA's Protective Services Volume XLVII, No. 9|date=September 1999|pages=8–10|work=nsa.gov|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318060528/https://www.nsa.gov/public_info/_files/newsletters/Newsletter_Sept_1999.pdf|archive-date=2016-03-18|access-date=2016-08-23}}</ref>

The employees at the NSA headquarters reside in various places in the [[Baltimore-Washington area]], including [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], Baltimore, and [[Columbia, Maryland|Columbia]] in Maryland and the District of Columbia, including the [[Georgetown, District of Columbia|Georgetown]] community.<ref name=ExploreNSA>"[https://www.nsa.gov/careers/life_at_nsa/explore.shtml Explore NSA]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130614022301/http://www.nsa.gov/careers/life_at_nsa/explore.shtml Archive]) National Security Agency. Retrieved June 12, 2013. "Other Locations" and "Our employees live along the Colonial-era streets of Annapolis and Georgetown; in the suburban surroundings of Columbia; near the excitement of Baltimore's Inner Harbor; along rolling hills adjacent to working farms; near the shores of the Chesapeake Bay; and amid the monumental history of Washington, DC."</ref> The NSA maintains a shuttle service from the [[Odenton station]] of [[MARC Train|MARC]] to its Visitor Control Center and has done so since 2005.<ref>{{cite web|author=McCombs, Alan J.|url=https://www.army.mil/article/17291/Fort_Meade_launches_commuter_shuttle_service|title=Fort Meade launches commuter shuttle service|publisher=[[United States Army]]|date=2009-02-23|access-date=2017-06-25|archive-date=2017-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625044518/https://www.army.mil/article/17291/Fort_Meade_launches_commuter_shuttle_service|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Energy consumption ====
[[File:NeverSleeps 071310.jpg|thumb|Due to massive amounts of [[data processing]], NSA is the largest electricity consumer in [[Maryland]].<ref name=Barnett />]]
Following a major power outage in 2000, in 2003, and follow-ups through 2007, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' reported that the NSA was at risk of electrical overload because of insufficient internal electrical infrastructure at Fort Meade to support the amount of equipment being installed. This problem was apparently recognized in the 1990s but not made a priority, and "now the agency's ability to keep its operations going is threatened."<ref name=Gorman-2006>{{cite news|author=Sabar, Ariel|title=NSA still subject to electronic failure|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2003/01/02/nsa-still-subject-to-electronic-failure/|date=January 2, 2003|access-date=2013-06-11|archive-date=2013-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020814/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2003-01-02/news/0301020300_1_outages-electrical-and-computer-agency|url-status=live}} and "Agency officials anticipated the problem nearly a decade ago as they looked ahead at the technology needs of the agency, sources said, but it was never made a priority, and now the agency's ability to keep its operations going is threatened." and "The NSA is Baltimore Gas & Electric's largest customer, using as much electricity as the city of Annapolis, according to James Bamford...." in {{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/08/06/nsa-risking-electrical-overload/|date=August 6, 2006|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=NSA risking electrical overload|access-date=2013-06-11|archive-date=2013-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020806/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-08-06/news/0608060158_1_agency-power-surges-nsa|url-status=live}} and {{cite news|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=NSA electricity crisis gets Senate scrutiny|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/01/26/nsa-electricity-crisis-gets-senate-scrutiny/|date=January 26, 2007|access-date=2013-06-11|archive-date=2013-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020818/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-01-26/news/0701260231_1_electricity-rockefeller-senate-intelligence-committee|url-status=live}} and {{cite news|author=Gorman, Siobhan|title=Power supply still a vexation for the NSA|date=June 24, 2007|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/06/24/power-supply-still-a-vexation-for-the-nsa/|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020755/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-06-24/news/0706240110_1_national-security-agency-classified-electricity|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 6, 2006, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' reported that the NSA had completely maxed out the grid and that Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE, now [[Constellation Energy]]) was unable to sell them any more power.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-08-06-0608060158-story.html|title=NSA risking electrical overload|first=SIOBHAN|last=GORMAN|website=baltimoresun.com|access-date=2018-12-23|archive-date=2020-08-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813231456/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-08-06-0608060158-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> NSA decided to move some of its operations to a new satellite facility. BGE provided NSA with 65 to 75 [[Terrawatt-hour|megawatts]] at Fort Meade in 2007 and expected that an increase of 10 to 15 megawatts would be needed later that year.<ref>"The NSA uses about 65 to 75 megawatt-hours of electricity, The Sun reported last week. Its needs are projected to grow by 10 to 15 megawatt-hours by next fall." in {{cite news|author=Staff|title=NSA electricity crisis gets Senate scrutiny|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/01/26/nsa-electricity-crisis-gets-senate-scrutiny/|date=January 26, 2007|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020818/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-01-26/news/0701260231_1_electricity-rockefeller-senate-intelligence-committee|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, the NSA was Maryland's largest consumer of power.<ref name=Barnett>{{cite web|url=http://www.gbc.org/Committee%20pages/Small%20Business%20Brief%20April%202011.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617050958/http://www.gbc.org/Committee%20pages/Small%20Business%20Brief%20April%202011.pdf|archive-date=June 17, 2013|url-status=dead|author=Barnett, Mark L.|date=April 26, 2011|title=Small Business Brief|publisher=Office of Small Business Programs, NSA, via The Greater Baltimore Committee|page=3|access-date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> In 2007, as BGE's largest customer, NSA bought as much electricity as [[Annapolis, Maryland|Annapolis]], the capital city of Maryland.<ref name=Gorman-2006 /> One estimate put the potential for power consumption by the new [[Utah Data Center]] at {{US$}}40&nbsp;million per year.<ref name=Wired-2012 />

==== Computing assets ====
In 1995, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' reported that the NSA is the owner of the single largest group of [[supercomputer]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-12-10/news/1995344001_1_crypto-ag-nsa-headquarters-swiss |title=No Such Agency Part Four – Rigging the Game |author=[[Scott Shane]] and [[Tom Bowman (journalist)|Tom Bowman]] |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=December 10, 1995 |access-date=October 3, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827112138/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1995-12-10/news/1995344001_1_crypto-ag-nsa-headquarters-swiss |url-status=dead }}</ref> NSA held a groundbreaking ceremony at Fort Meade in May 2013 for its High-Performance Computing Center 2, expected to open in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|author=Brown, Matthew Hay|title=NSA plans new computing center for cyber threats|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/05/06/nsa-plans-new-computing-center-for-cyber-threats/|date=May 6, 2013|work=The Baltimore Sun|publisher=Tribune Company|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614020810/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-05-06/news/bs-md-nsa-high-performance-computing-center-2-20130506_1_cyber-attacks-u-s-cyber-command-cyber-threats|url-status=live}}</ref> Called Site M, the center has a 150-megawatt power substation, 14 administrative buildings and 10 parking garages.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /> It cost {{dollarsign|US}}3.2&nbsp;billion and covers {{convert|227|acre|ha sqmi|adj=off}}.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /> The center is {{convert|1800000|sqft|ha sqmi|adj=off}}<ref name=Bamford-Alexander /> and initially uses 60 megawatts of electricity.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Security Agency: FY 2014 Military Construction, Defense-Wide|url=http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2014/budget%5Fjustification/pdfs/07_Military_Construction/11-National_Security_Agency.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125150402/http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2014/budget_justification/pdfs/07_Military_Construction/11-National_Security_Agency.pdf|pages=3–4|publisher=Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), USA.gov|access-date=June 13, 2013|archive-date=January 25, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Increments II and III are expected to be completed by 2030 and would quadruple the space, covering {{convert|5800000|sqft|ha sqmi|adj=off}} with 60 buildings and 40 parking garages.<ref name=Bamford-Alexander>{{cite magazine|author=Bamford, James|title=The Secret War|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/06/general-keith-alexander-cyberwar/all/|date=June 12, 2013|magazine=Wired|access-date=June 12, 2013|author-link=James Bamford|archive-date=August 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802125656/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/06/general-keith-alexander-cyberwar/all|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Defense contractor]]s are also establishing or expanding [[cybersecurity]] facilities near the NSA and around the [[Washington metropolitan area]].<ref name=Bamford-Alexander />