What is a key duty of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service?

The key duty of the National Security Agency/Central Security Service is centered around ensuring the protection of national security systems. This responsibility includes safeguarding classified information, maintaining the integrity of secure communications, and providing support for various defense and intelligence operations. The NSA/CSS plays a crucial role in both defensive and offensive cyber operations, helping to secure communications systems against adversarial threats.

By focusing on the protection of national security systems, the NSA/CSS is integral to national defense, working to prevent unauthorized access and ensuring that sensitive data remains secure. This role is foundational to the agency's mission in collecting foreign signals intelligence and protecting U.S. national security interests.