The National Security Agency is pleased to announce the opening of the Information Assurance Gallery at the National Cryptologic Museum. NSA's Information Assurance (IA) Directorate provides the solutions, products, and services that protect all classified and sensitive information infrastructures critical to U.S. national security. The newly remodeled gallery highlights the many fronts on which the IA mission has strengthened and enhanced the protection of U.S. information systems from the early twentieth century to the present day.

Exhibits show the march of technology and how it was pushed, in many ways, by NSA's communications security (COMSEC) developments. Artifacts include early 20th century prototypes of COMSEC devices, never-before-exhibited equipment from the World War II era through 1990, and equipment still in use today or just ready to be fielded. Visitors to the gallery can hear the evolution of secure voice telephone communications and see first-hand how computer measurements of fingerprints are made and used to verify identity.

One of the gallery's many features is a temporary exhibit of "Hero Props" on loan from MGM Studios from the recently released film "Windtalkers." Fabricated to resemble a small headquarters hut, the realistic display pays special tribute to the many contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers in the South Pacific during World War II and features the uniforms, weapons, and communications equipment used by Nicolas Cage and Adam Beach in the film.

The National Cryptologic Museum provides a "peek behind the curtain" at the once-secret world of cryptology - the exploitation of enemy intelligence and the protection of America's most critical communications. The Museum is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Members of the media are invited to contact the NSA Public and Media Affairs office on (301) 688-6524 to arrange a visit to the Museum.