National Counterintelligence and Security Center

National Counterintelligence and Security Center
Name	National Counterintelligence and Security Center
Formed	0 2014
Preceding1	Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Chief1 name	Michael Orlando
Chief1 position	Director
Parent agency	Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Website	https://www.dni.gov/index.php/ncsc-home

National Counterintelligence and Security Center. It is the principal organization within the United States Intelligence Community for developing, integrating, and synchronizing strategic counterintelligence and security activities. Established in 2014, the center operates under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence and serves as the successor to the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. Its work is critical to protecting the nation's assets, including its people, information, and critical infrastructure, from foreign intelligence threats and insider risks.

History and establishment

The center was formally created by a presidential directive in 2014, consolidating and elevating the mission of the earlier Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. This reorganization was driven by lessons learned from significant espionage cases, such as those involving Robert Hanssen and Aldrich Ames, and the evolving threat landscape following major cyber incidents. The establishment was part of a broader effort to enhance integration across the United States Intelligence Community following the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. Its creation marked a shift towards a more unified and strategic approach to countering sophisticated foreign intelligence services, including those of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

Mission and functions

The primary mission is to lead and support the United States Government in identifying, understanding, and countering foreign intelligence threats. Core functions include producing the National Counterintelligence Strategy, providing strategic analysis and oversight of major counterintelligence investigations, and managing the National Counterintelligence Task Force. It is responsible for issuing warnings and assessments on threats to U.S. economic security and critical technologies, often focusing on risks from entities like the Ministry of State Security or corporate espionage. The center also develops policy and standards for personnel vetting and insider threat programs across the Federal government of the United States, coordinating closely with the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice.

Organizational structure

The center is organized into several directorates focusing on specific functional areas, all under the leadership of a Director appointed by the Director of National Intelligence. Key components include the Office of the Director, the Strategic Operations Directorate, and the Insider Threat Task Force. It houses specialized mission centers, such as the Supply Chain and Cyber Directorate, which addresses risks in acquisition and information technology. The structure is designed to facilitate close collaboration with other members of the United States Intelligence Community, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Security Agency.

Key programs and initiatives

Notable programs include the National Insider Threat Task Force, established by Executive Order 13587, which sets standards for federal insider threat detection and prevention. The center manages the Counterintelligence Mission Management program, which prioritizes efforts against top adversarial nations. It leads the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act implementation support team, advising the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Other major initiatives involve public awareness campaigns like "Know the Risk" to educate industry on economic espionage and the Protected Critical Infrastructure Information program to safeguard vital assets from foreign exploitation.

Relationship with other U.S. intelligence and security agencies

The center operates as an integrating hub, requiring deep collaboration with a wide array of partners. It works directly with the Central Intelligence Agency on overseas counterintelligence and with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on domestic investigations and the National Security Branch. For cyber threats, it partners with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Security Agency. It also coordinates with security elements of the Department of Defense, such as the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, on personnel vetting and with the Department of Energy on protecting nuclear secrets. This network ensures a whole-of-government approach to counterintelligence and security challenges.

Directors and leadership

Leadership has included notable figures from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other intelligence agencies. The first Director was William R. Evanina, a former senior official from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was succeeded in an acting capacity by Michael Orlando, who previously served in the United States Secret Service and the Department of the Treasury. The Director reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence and often testifies before congressional committees like the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on matters of national security and counterintelligence policy.

Category:United States Intelligence Community Category:Counterintelligence Category:National security organizations