Yes, you may tell your family and friends that you are employed at or assigned to the National Security Agency (NSA). There is no valid reason to deny them this information.
Disclosing Your Affiliation: What You Need to Know
Individuals working for the NSA are permitted to disclose their employment or assignment status to certain individuals in their personal lives. This guidance acknowledges that a person's employment is a significant part of their identity that can be openly shared within a trusted circle.
Who You Can Inform:
- Family members: Immediate and extended family.
- Friends: Close personal acquaintances.
This openness is intended to be a straightforward acknowledgment of your professional affiliation, not an invitation to discuss the details of your work.
Critical Restrictions on Information Sharing
While disclosing your employment at the NSA is permitted, it is imperative to understand the strict limitations on what cannot be shared. These restrictions are in place to safeguard national security and the integrity of the Agency's operations.
You may not disclose any information concerning:
- Specific aspects of the Agency's mission: This includes details about the NSA's objectives, goals, or strategic priorities.
- Activities: Information about particular projects, operations, intelligence gathering methods, or any work in progress.
- Organization: Details regarding the internal structure, departments, specific teams, personnel, or internal procedures of the Agency.
This means you can state where you work, but not what the NSA specifically does, how it does it, or who is involved beyond your own employment.
Understanding Permitted vs. Prohibited Disclosure:
To ensure clarity, here's a quick reference on what is generally allowed versus what is strictly forbidden when discussing your NSA affiliation:
| Permitted Disclosures | Prohibited Disclosures |
|---|---|
| Your employment or assignment to the NSA | Specific aspects of the Agency's mission |
| Stating that you work for the National Security Agency | Details of NSA activities or operations |
| Information about the Agency's internal organization |
Navigating Security and Privacy
These guidelines are fundamental to maintaining operational security and protecting sensitive national intelligence. Adhering to them ensures that critical information remains confidential, preventing potential compromises that could endanger national security. For more information about the NSA's public mission and career opportunities, you can visit their official website at NSA.gov.
