planning
planning
planning
planning
guarding the National Security
There is no National Security Council, there is however a National Security Agency which is part of the United States Department of Defense. The NSA was formed November 4, 1952, to analyze cryptologic data of foreign countries and protect America's cryptologic data.
Planning
National Security Act (A Plus)
Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, State Department, and Department of Interior
That would be the Department of Defense. Some might argue that Homeland Security does this, but other are sure to argue that HS does more to destroy internal security than to defend national security.
The National Security Council is responsible for national security and foreign policy. The Secretary of Defense is second only to the president and exercises command and control over the United States' military.
Planning
To advise the president on issues of national security.