• 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 NCF VISION

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

1977: Lambros Callimahos Died.

Thursday, October 28, 2021

28 October 1977: Lambros Callimahos, noted NSA cryptanalyst and teacher, died. Mr. Callimahos was inducted into the NSA Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 2003. Read about his life and accomplishments via the link at the end of this page.

Excerpted from the NSA Cryptologic Hall of Honor record:

Through the 1950s, Mr. Callimahos collaborated with William Friedman on a variety of projects and developed his own famous class CA-400. This was an expansion of Friedman's original intensive-study senior cryptanalytic course. He taught 32 sessions of CA-400, for a total of 270 students. Graduates of CA-400, the elite among cryptanalysts, became members of the Dundee Society, a society made up by Mr. Callimahos named after the empty Dundee marmalade jar on his desk because he couldn't disclose the real purpose of the group, and played a crucial role in shaping cryptologic development at NSA.

A prolific writer of cryptologic literature, Mr. Callimahos was the author of over 40 books, monographs, and articles. He helped establish NSA's Technical Journal in 1955 and served as technical advisor to the publication for the rest of his career. He wrote articles on codes and ciphers for numerous reference works, including Encyclopedia Britannica.

By the end of his career, Mr. Callimahos was respected by his colleagues and students as a true Renaissance man: teacher, writer, linguist, cryptologist, and flutist. He was awarded the NSA Exceptional Civilian Service Award on 24 August 1976.

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  • The first hire at SIS was Annie Louise Newkirk, hired as a cryptographic clerk. Interesting note, when a phone call came in for someone working in the vault room, Ms. Newkirk would buzz the back room using a Morse code equivalent for the first initial of the individual's name. In honor of Women's History Month - click to learn about more female cryptologic pioneers!

About Us

The NCF's Vision is to strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem.

The NCF Mission: Advance the nation’s interest in cyber and cryptology as we:

Educate citizens to be cyber smart individuals, 

Develop pathways for the future cyber and cryptologic workforce, 

Engage and convene partners to address emerging cyber and cryptologic issues and, 

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.

The NCF is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Learn more about our MISSION, VISION, and VALUES.