The KGB, or Committee for State Security, was the main security agency for the Soviet Union, functioning from 1954 until its dissolution in 1991. Its roles included intelligence gathering, domestic security, counter-intelligence, and enforcing state security. The KGB was involved in suppressing dissent, monitoring citizens, and maintaining the Communist Party's control. It conducted espionage operations internationally, targeting rival nations, particularly during the Cold War. The organization became notorious for its brutal tactics and human rights abuses, instilling fear within the Soviet populace while striving to protect Soviet interests abroad.