The 1-million-square foot center will form the hub of the highly-classified (CNCI) launched during the Bush Administration.

It is not clear, though, whether that is the only purpose that the new data center will serve, or whether it will support other NSA cybersecurity activities.

News of the planned center was announced on Friday by Glenn Gaffney, NSA's deputy director of national intelligence for collection, during an address to lawmakers at the Utah state capitol. Joining him at the announcement were Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Sens. Orrin Hatch, (R-Utah), and Bob Bennett, (R-Utah).

In an e-mailed comment, an NSA spokeswoman said the new center will provide "critical support to national cybersecurity priorities" but did not elaborate. A statement released by Hatch's office said the facility would add "important capabilities" to the intelligence community and provide technical assistance to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Between 5,000 and 10,000 people will be employed during the construction and development of the data center. The facility itself will employ between 100 to 200 people when fully operational.