Our Mission
At the CIA, our mission is to preempt threats and further U.S. national security objectives by:
- Collecting foreign intelligence that matters;
- Producing objective all-source analysis;
- Conducting effective covert action as directed by the president; and
- Safeguarding the secrets that help keep our Nation safe.
Our Vision
Our vision is for CIA’s information, insights, and actions to consistently provide tactical and strategic advantage for the United States.
Our Guiding Principles
CIA Overview
Our mission is straightforward but critical, leverage the power of information to keep our nation safe. Our problem set is complex and cannot be solved by one person alone.
Our officers have a wide range of expertise. Together, we work tirelessly day in and day out, to ensure the continued safety of our nation. We rely on diverse ideas, experiences, and skills.
We are Analysts, Graphic Designers, Operations Officers, Engineers, Librarians, Computer Scientists, Accountants, Doctors, and Linguists, from all walks of life. Working together to protect the values we cherish as Americans.
We collect and analyze foreign intelligence, conduct covert action, and develop innovative technology. US policymakers including the President of the United States, make decisions informed by the information we provide. We do work with our partners in the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and law enforcement agencies on many complex issues, ranging from counter intelligence to counter terrorism.
We are the nation’s first line of defense. We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go. We are, the Central Intelligence Agency.
Our employees are guided by our key principles, core values, and highest aspirations. These standards keep us on course as we work to protect our Nation and advance its interests.
Service
We put our Nation first, Agency before unit, and mission before self. We take pride in being diverse, inclusive, agile, responsive, and consequential.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of conduct. We provide information and analysis without personal bias. We maintain the Nation’s trust through accountability and oversight.
Excellence
We bring the best of our diverse backgrounds and expertise to everything we do. We are self-aware, reflecting on our performance and learning from it. We strive to give all officers the tools, experiences, and leadership they need to excel.
Courage
We execute difficult, high-stakes, and often dangerous tasks. We carefully manage risk, but we do not shy away from it. We value sacrifice and honor our fallen. Explore our legacy.
Teamwork
We stand by one another. Collaboration, both internal and external, underpins our success. Learn more about working at CIA. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are mission imperatives.
Stewardship
We protect our sources and methods from the moment our service begins until our last breath.
Discover the CIA: Your Nation is Counting on You
it only takes one new piece of forward 00:04 intelligence and everything can change
in an instant
hey I think I found something most 00:10 people will never see your work only
three people in the world have access to
the information we need to notify the
field your greatest strength will be the
people around you’re gonna be able to
see the whole thing yep gonna be in the
roof right here let’s see the house your
greatest reward is knowing your efforts
will help keep every American’s safe
your achievements while unknown to the
public are critical to our national
security this translation is technically
accurate but in this context it really
means this the nation we got it
is counting on you to discover the truth
I’ll call the White House ladies and
gentlemen welcome to the CIA you can
play a role protecting our nation start
a career at the CIA and do more for your
country than you ever dreamed possible.
