Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
On April 4, 1916, U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing created DSS' predecessor, the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
The first special agents, led by the first special agent, Bill Nye, investigated attempts of espionage and intelligence-gathering by the Germans during World War I. Over the next 100 years, the DSS mission expanded, leading to the organization having the largest global reach of any law enforcement agency.
Today, DSS security and law enforcement personnel protect State Department people, facilities, and information in more than 270 locations around the world, and protect the integrity of U.S. travel documents by investigating and deterring transnational criminal activities.
On April 4, 1916, U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing created DSS' predecessor, the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
The first special agents, led by the first special agent, Bill Nye, investigated attempts of espionage and intelligence-gathering by the Germans during World War I. Over the next 100 years, the DSS mission expanded, leading to the organization having the largest global reach of any law enforcement agency.
Today, DSS security and law enforcement personnel protect State Department people, facilities, and information in more than 270 locations around the world, and protect the integrity of U.S. travel documents by investigating and deterring transnational criminal activities.
