What authority is granted to the National Security Agency (NSA) under Title 50?

The authority granted to the National Security Agency (NSA) under Title 50 primarily pertains to the agency's role in foreign intelligence and national security activities, especially in the context of signals intelligence. While the NSA is involved in protecting critical infrastructure, this specific role is more closely aligned with cybersecurity missions that involve collaboration across various government agencies.

In contrast, Title 50 of the U.S. Code primarily establishes the legal framework for intelligence activities, including gathering, processing, and disseminating information related to national security. This encompasses activities aimed at foreign intelligence and counterintelligence but does not primarily designate the NSA with the authority to enforce domestic law or engage in military actions.

The NSA’s main mission under Title 50 is to support national defense and security through communication intercepts and protections against foreign threats rather than direct civilian infrastructure protection or law enforcement responsibilities, which fall more under the purview of agencies like the Department of Homeland Security or the FBI.