<P> The heraldic insignia of NSA consists of an eagle inside a circle, grasping a key in its talons . The eagle represents the agency's national mission . Its breast features a shield with bands of red and white, taken from the Great Seal of the United States and representing Congress . The key is taken from the emblem of Saint Peter and represents security . </P> <P> When the NSA was created, the agency had no emblem and used that of the Department of Defense . The agency adopted its first of two emblems in 1963 . The current NSA insignia has been in use since 1965, when then - Director, LTG Marshall S. Carter (USA) ordered the creation of a device to represent the agency . </P> <P> The NSA's flag consists of the agency's seal on a light blue background . </P> <P> Crews associated with NSA missions have been involved in a number of dangerous and deadly situations . The USS Liberty incident in 1967 and USS Pueblo incident in 1968 are examples of the losses endured during the Cold War . </P>

The rise of the national security state first began after which national security event