cryptology

On Watch: Profiles from the National Security Agency’s Past 40 Years, 1984

On July 17, 1984, Lieutenant General Lincoln D. Faurer, the Director of the National Security Agency, asked the National Cryptologic…

December 7, 2022

History of Special Project Branch, SIS ETOUSA, aka the “BEECHNUT Report” or “Rowlett Report,” written by Col. Frank B. Rowlett

The following document chronicles the history of the "Special Project Branch, SIS ETOUSA". It was originally requested from the National…

October 25, 2022

Cryptolog (NSA Newsletter), October 1981 Edition

Background Cryptolog was created in 1974 and was, according to the editor, “a new vehicle for the interchange of ideas…

December 19, 2020

Cicada 3301

Background Cicada 3301 is a nickname given to an organization that on three occasions has posted a set of puzzles…

October 29, 2019

The CIA’s Kryptos Statue

Background Kryptos is an encrypted sculpture by American artist Jim Sanborn located on the grounds of the Central Intelligence Agency…

November 5, 2018