Director of the National Security Agency

Director of the National Security Agency
Flag of the National Security Agency
Incumbent General Timothy D. Haugh, USAF since February 2, 2024
National Security Agency
Status	Chief Executive
Reports to	Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Director of National Intelligence Secretary of Defense
Seat	Fort Meade, Maryland
Nominator	Secretary of Defense
Appointer	President with Senate advice and consent
Constituting instrument	10 U.S.C. § 201
Precursor	Director of the Armed Forces Security Agency
Formation	1952
First holder	MG Ralph Canine, USA
Deputy	Deputy Director
Website	www.nsa.gov

The Director of the National Security Agency (DIRNSA) is the highest-ranking official of the National Security Agency, which is a defense agency within the U.S. Department of Defense. The director of the NSA also concurrently serves as the chief of the Central Security Service (CHCSS) and as the commander of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). As the director of the NSA and the chief of the CSC, the officeholder reports to the under secretary of defense for intelligence, and as the commander of U.S. Cyber Command, the officeholder reports directly to the secretary of defense.

According to 10 U.S.C. § 201 of the United States Code, the director of the NSA is recommended by the secretary of defense and nominated for appointment by the president. The nominee must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. In accordance with Department of Defense Directive 5100.20, dated 23 December 1971, the director of the NSA must always be a commissioned officer of the military services. As the assignment is currently part of a tri-hatted position, the director of the NSA is appointed to the grade of a four-star general or admiral during the period of his incumbency. The director's deputy is always a technically experienced civilian.^[1]