How are the activities of the NSA/CSS regulated and who monitors them?
The U.S. Constitution, federal law, executive order, and regulations of the Executive Branch govern NSA’s activities. 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. NSA/CSS activities are subject to strict scrutiny and oversight both from outside and from within. External bodies such as the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), the President’s Intelligence Oversight Board, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, the Department of Defense, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Justice help ensure that NSA adheres to U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable to the Agency’s activities. Internally, the Office of the Inspector General conducts inspections, audits, and investigations to make certain that NSA/CSS opera
