NSA plans huge data center in Utah

The National Security Agency, the intelligence community's electronic spying arm, is moving ahead with plans to build a one million square foot data center in Utah. This facility is part of a broader effort by the super-secretive spy agency to decentralize its operations and better protect its assets from hostile intruders.

A spending bill, just approved by Congress and signed by President Obama, includes $181 million for preparatory construction of the Camp Williams facility in Utah that is expected to cost about $2 billion. An NSA statement described the site as "a specialized facility that houses computer systems and supporting equipment." A similar center is being constructed in Texas.

NSA documents indicate that the agency is expanding its existing intelligence collection facilities in North Yorkshire, England, and Fort Meade, MD.

For more on NSA decentralization:
- see this Salt Lake Tribune article