Maria Hill: What does S.H.I.E.L.D. stand for, Agent Ward?
Ward: Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Maria Hill: And what does that mean to you?
Ward: It means someone really wanted our initials to spell out "shield." It means we're the line between the world and the much weirder world. We protect people from news they aren't ready to hear. And when we can't do that, we keep them safe.

           Agents of SHIELD: Pilot