National Security Agency

Deborah Bonanni

Chief of Staff

There is working, and then there is working for a cause. The National Security Agency has such a cause. Chief of Staff Deborah Bonanni discusses the virtues of feeling part of something bigger than you.

What is NSA’s role in national security?
Everything we do supports the nation’s leaders so that they can make the best and most well-informed decisions possible. To do that, we exploit the communication systems of our adversaries to gain information. We also work to protect U.S. national security information systems from being compromised.

What is it like to work in such a secret environment?
We have a compelling mission and a strong team spirit. Contrary to popular belief, NSA is not populated by anti-social geeks. There is a great mix of people with technical skills and liberal arts-based talents. What they all have in common is intellect, creativity, analytical skills, ambition, and motivation. Also, since you can’t take the work home with you, when you leave the office, you can focus on your family, and talk about things other than work.

How did you end up at NSA?
I graduated with a degree in political science, but realized early that I would not make much money without a PhD and have the kind of life I wanted, so I decided to go to law school. When I finished, I considered NSA because my father had worked there and loved the place. I joined as a junior lawyer, fully anticipating that I would work for a couple of years, maybe get an MBA, and then move on. That was 29 years ago. I’m still here.

What makes you stay?
The autonomy, responsibility, and high-profile projects I got to work on as a junior attorney really inspired me. What keeps me here now is the mission. To work for an organization that is instrumental in the protection of the United States is a very compelling reason to go to work every day. The feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself is always present and creates a sense of pride and enthusiasm that still holds me after all these years.

What can a new hire expect at NSA today?
A collegial atmosphere where team spirit is strong, as well as working with brilliant people from diverse backgrounds. People who join us get to work on significant projects and solve complex problems that are all crucial to the nation’s security. We also have great educational programs that enhance the knowledge of our employees and enrich our mission.

What kind of person fits in at NSA?
People with backgrounds in computer science, math, engineering, languages, or international relations are the norm. From a personality perspective, we are as diverse as any large organization. Over the years, I have watched the agency become far more diverse. For example, 40 percent of our senior leadership team are women. They are powerful talents and serve as strong role models. We embrace people from different backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles now, and this diversity helps us to do our mission more effectively.