Our mission is straightforward but critical: leverage the power of information to keep our Nation safe.
The CIA is a U.S. government agency that provides objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the president, the National Security Council, and other policymakers to help them make national security decisions.
To stop threats before they happen and further U.S. national security objectives, we:
We do not make policy or policy recommendations. Instead, our Agency serves as an independent source of information for people who do.
We are not a law enforcement organization. However, we do work with the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and law enforcement agencies on many complex issues ranging from counterintelligence to counterterrorism.
To meet the intelligence needs of today and tomorrow, we:
As our world rapidly changes, so does our national security agenda. Through it all, our mission stays the same: to protect the Nation and advance its national security interests. Our guiding principles, aspirations, and core values keep us on course as we take on this extraordinary task.
Our Agency is made up of multidisciplinary Mission Centers that integrate the full range of our analytic, operational, support, technical, and digital capabilities. These disciplines are divided into five corresponding directorates.