SSRC was an original red team which interpreted Soviet bloc "thinking and attitudes" at Camberley.

The Centre later examined wider issues including foreign policy, energy security and demographic change.

In 2006, CSRC was absorbed into the Advanced Research and Assessment Group (ARAG), another component of the UK Defence Academy.

In 2010 the ARAG was disbanded and former research staff of the CSRC, laid off at its closure, re-formed the organisation independently of the Ministry of Defence.

CSRC is now an independent, privately funded body providing expertise in security issues with a primary focus on relations with Russia, and specialist knowledge on military, domestic political, and cyber security questions.