• EDUCATE
    EDUCATE

    ...our citizens to be cyber smart, and develop pathways for the future cyber workforce.

  • ENGAGE
    ENGAGE

    ...and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues.

  • COMMEMORATE
    COMMEMORATE

    ...our cryptologic history & those who served within the cryptologic community.


The National Cryptologic Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization not affiliated with the U.S. Federal Government. 

THE NCF MISSION

Advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology through leadership, education, and partnerships.

Native American Code Talkers

Anniversary of NCM Opening to Public

Monday, December 17, 2018

17 Dec 1993: The National Cryptologic Museum opened to the public. Read about the Museum's History.

Did you know that ....It was captured Axis cryptographic equipment that became the basis for a small and little known Research and Development Museum collection (RDM) that was the NCM’s precursor?

William F. Friedman and Lambros Callimahos (who set up his own makeshift office museum) originally cared for the equipment. Then in 1970, Earl J. Coates, NSA’s first curator, set up museum-like exhibits in the lobby of NSA headquarters.

When the old Colony 7 Motel adjacent to NSA was purchased in the spring of 1990, Vice Admiral William O. Studeman, then-Agency director, was the first to suggest it be used as an NSA-operated museum.

The Museum initially opened on 15 July 1993 for NSA employees and families, as well as members of the Intelligence Community. But once the Museum opened to the public in December 1993, media interest and attendance boomed. Requests for interviews poured in and stories appeared in outlets all over the world. About 10,000 visitors stopped by that first year, a remarkable number considering the museum’s furtive beginning. The photo shown here is of the Museum in 1993 when it was a one-room open exhibit area.

Check out the plans for the new museum and Cyber Center for Education and Innovation via the link below.

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TUNE INTO THE NCF PODCASTS

The NCF hosts two cyber-focused podcasts - #CyberChats and Cyber Pulse. #CyberChats strives to educate people of all ages about personal data care, as well as cyber careers, skills, and pathways. Cyber Pulse is geared toward our professional audience and explores the challenges cyber professionals face as well as strategies they use to safeguard our digital future.

Cryptologic & Cyber Dates in History