"On This Date in Cryptologic History" Calendar
1972: NSCID 6 established CSS.
![](https://cdn.firespring.com/images/cc2faca4-4ca1-4818-8394-2253bf990fc5.png)
17 February 1972: NSCID 6 established CSS (Central Security Service). The CSS was established by presidential directive in 1972 to promote full partnership between NSA and the Service Cryptologic Components of the U.S. Armed Forces. This new command created a more unified cryptologic effort by combining NSA and CSS. The Director of NSA is dual-hatted as the Chief of CSS. The Central Security Service provides timely and accurate cryptologic support, knowledge, and assistance to the military cryptologic community.
An earlier version of the directive was issued in 1958, when NSA was first assigned responsibility for electronics intelligence.
Learn more via the NSA.gov links below.