Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is a federal security and defense agency of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) that reports to the under secretary of defense for intelligence. DCSA is the largest counterintelligence and security agency in the federal government and is responsible for providing personnel vetting, critical technology protection, counterintelligence, training, and education and certification. DCSA services over 100 federal entities, oversees 10,000 cleared companies, and conducts approximately 2 million background investigations each year. DCSA collaborates with international counterparts on matters pertaining to military-specific counterintelligence and security matters. The Australian Government’s Defence Security Division (DSD) was modelled on the DCSA, and is the Australian equivalent. U.S DSCA Special Agents are federal law enforcement officers, whereas the federal law enforcement powers of DSD Agents fall within the remit of the Australian Defence Organisation.