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EDUCATE...The nation’s brightest young minds to consider careers in STEM and cyber related fields
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STIMULATE...Robust dialog with the American public on cyber policy, technology, and privacy
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COMMEMORATE...Those who “served in silence” with valor and distinction, especially those who gave their lives in service
THE NCF VISION
Influence the cryptologic future by sharing our educational resources, stimulating new knowledge, & commemorating our heritage.
1939: Japanese first use of PURPLE
20 February 1939: The Japanese first use of the PURPLE machine-generated diplomatic cryptosystem.
PURPLE was the codename Americans gave an Imperial Japanese Navy diplomatic cipher used to send messages to important diplomatic offices around the world. In the lead up to World War II, the Americans became increasingly interested in what the Japanese were communicating over Purple. US and British cryptographers had already broken some of its messages well before America's entry into the war. The intelligence they gleaned from Purple was code named Magic.
One of the most important pieces of Magic US cryptographers "found" was the 14-part Japanese diplomatic message ominously breaking off relations with the United States. That was at 1PM Washington time, December 7, 1941.
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About Us
The NCF's Vision is to advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology through leadership, education, and partnerships.
The NCF Mission: Strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem to ensure democracy and freedom in the following ways:
Educate: We educate and engage our citizens to be cyber smart individuals, and we develop pathways for our future cyber and cryptologic workforce.
Engage: We engage and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues.
Commemorate: We commemorate our cryptologic history and those who served.
The Foundation provides exceptional cryptologic programs, encourages young minds to learn about cryptology and to explore cyber-related career opportunities, hosts educational, cryptology-related exhibits at various community events, and honors the people— past and present—whose contributions to our national security protect and make possible our way of life.
The NCF also provides needed support to the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM), the first public museum in the U.S. Intelligence Community. Located adjacent to the National Security Agency (NSA) in Maryland, the NCM houses a unique and priceless collection of artifacts that represent our Nation's history in code making and code breaking, as well as a world class library of cryptologic media. The NCF has acquired rare and invaluable artifacts for the Museum and helps to support new educational and interactive exhibits.
Learn more about our MISSION, VISION, and VALUES.
