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The Global Insight

What are CIA values?

Author

Sarah Garza

Updated on March 02, 2026

CIA core values comprise “service, excellence, teamwork, courage, and stewardship.”

What is the focus of the CIA?

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), principal foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agency of the U.S. government. Formally created in 1947, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) grew out of the World War II Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

What does the CIA aim to accomplish?

The CIA, or Central Intelligence Agency, is the U.S. government agency tasked primarily with gathering intelligence and international security information from foreign countries.

What is the mission of the directorate of operations?

The Directorate of Operations is responsible for spying (i.e., espionage, or the clandestine collection of intelligence) and special covert and often illegal operations, including subversion.

What is the most important part of the CIA triad?

Why the CIA triad is important Confidentiality, integrity and availability together are considered the three most important concepts within information security. Considering these three principles together within the framework of the “triad” can help guide the development of security policies for organizations.

What is CIA triangle?

These three letters stand for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, otherwise known as the CIA triad. Together, these three principles form the cornerstone of any organization’s security infrastructure; in fact, they (should) function as goals and objectives for every security program.

What is the CIA motto?

The Work of a Nation
Central Intelligence Agency

Agency overview
Motto“The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence.” Unofficial motto: “And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Employees21,575 (estimate)
Annual budget$15 billion (as of 2013)

Who does the CIA answer to?

the Director of National Intelligence
Currently, the Central Intelligence Agency answers directly to the Director of National Intelligence, although the CIA Director may brief the President directly. The CIA has its budget approved by the US Congress, a subcommittee of which see the line items.

What are the three pillars of the CIA Triad?

When we discuss data and information, we must consider the CIA triad. The CIA triad refers to an information security model made up of the three main components: confidentiality, integrity and availability. Each component represents a fundamental objective of information security.

What does the CIA DO for the government?

The CIA is a U.S. government agency that provides objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the president, the National Security Council, and other policymakers to help them make national security decisions. Conduct covert action, as directed by the president.

What is the mission of the Central Intelligence Agency?

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. We put our Nation first, Agency before unit, and mission before self.

Is the CIA an independent source of information?

The CIA does not make policy; it is an independent source of foreign intelligence information for those who do. The CIA may also engage in covert action at the president’s direction in accordance with applicable law”. [4] The CIA is an international intelligence agency.

Is the CIA the only agency authorized to carry out covert action?

Though it is not the only agency of the federal government of the United States specializing in HUMINT, the CIA serves as the national manager for coordination of HUMINT activities across the U.S. intelligence community. Moreover, the CIA is the only agency authorized by law to carry out and oversee covert action at the behest of the President.