Does the NSA file patents? If not, usage of tech is probably enforced by the honor code
They do actually. They also get defense contractors like SAIC's holding company to do it for them then sue groups doing things like encrypted messaging. They can also slap secrecy orders on patents & block those from coming to market with that sort of thing going up since Bush-Cheney.
"usage of tech is probably enforced by the honor code"
See Snowden leaks. Defense contracting debacles. PROMIS scandal. So on and so forth.