What Does the CIA Do? by Vivian Vallarsa
The CIA, or the Central Intelligence Agency, is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States. When the CIA was first established in 1947, its purpose was to create a clearinghouse for foreign intelligence and analysis. It grew out of the World War II Office of Strategic Services, and the previous U.S. intelligence efforts which had been conducted by the FBI.
Today, its primary purpose is to collect, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate foreign intelligence, and to carry out foreign covert operations. The CIA currently has five main priorities: counterterrorism, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, indications and warnings for senior policymakers, counterintelligence, and cyberintelligence.
The CIA is organized into four directorates: the Intelligence Directorate, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Science and Technology, and the Directorate of Administration. The Intelligence Directorate analyzes intelligence gathered by overt means such as from sources like news media, and covert means from agents, satellite photography, and interception of telecommunications.
The Directorate of Operations is responsible for the spying portion of the CIA, and special covert, and often illegal operations. Case officers may serve abroad to collect intelligence such as secrets vital to protecting U.S. national security.
The Directorate of Science and Technology is responsible for carrying out technical operations, and supervising and monitoring foreign media. This directorate is also tasked with developing technical systems used to advance the CIA’s intelligence gathering.
The Directorate of Administration is responsible for the CIA’s finances and personal matters. It also contains the office of security which is responsible for the security of personnel, facilities, and information as well as uncovering spies within the CIA.
Today, its primary purpose is to collect, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate foreign intelligence, and to carry out foreign covert operations. The CIA currently has five main priorities: counterterrorism, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, indications and warnings for senior policymakers, counterintelligence, and cyberintelligence.
The CIA is organized into four directorates: the Intelligence Directorate, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Science and Technology, and the Directorate of Administration. The Intelligence Directorate analyzes intelligence gathered by overt means such as from sources like news media, and covert means from agents, satellite photography, and interception of telecommunications.
The Directorate of Operations is responsible for the spying portion of the CIA, and special covert, and often illegal operations. Case officers may serve abroad to collect intelligence such as secrets vital to protecting U.S. national security.
The Directorate of Science and Technology is responsible for carrying out technical operations, and supervising and monitoring foreign media. This directorate is also tasked with developing technical systems used to advance the CIA’s intelligence gathering.
The Directorate of Administration is responsible for the CIA’s finances and personal matters. It also contains the office of security which is responsible for the security of personnel, facilities, and information as well as uncovering spies within the CIA.