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National Computer Security Center (NCSC)
The government agency part of the National Security Agency (NSA) and that produces technical reference materials relating to a wide variety of computer security areas. It is located at 9800 Savage Rd., Ft. George G. Meade, MD.

National Telecommunications and Information Systems Security Policy
Directs Federal agencies, by July 15, 1992, to provide automated Controlled Access Protection (C2 level) for MIS, when all users do not have the same authorization to use the sensitive information.

Network
A communications medium and all components attached to that medium whose responsibility is the transference of information. Such components may include MISs, packet switches, telecommunications controllers, key distribution centers, and technical control devices.

Network Security
Protection of networks and their services unauthorized modification, destruction, disclosure, and the provision of assurance that the network performs its critical functions correctly and there is no harmful side-effects.

NIST
National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD. NIST publishes a wide variety of materials on computer security, including FIPS publications.

Non-Repudiation
Method by which the sender is provided with proof of delivery and the recipient is assured of the sender’s identity, so that neither can later deny having processed the data.

Nonvolatile Memory Units
Devices which continue to retain their contents when power to the unit is turned off (e.g. bobble memory, Read-Only Memory-ROM).

NSA
National Security Agency. A security-conscious U. S. government agency whose mission is to decipher and monitor foreign communications.

Number Theory
Formal mathematical name for some of the math tricks behind public key cryptography.