The department is part of Sistema di informazione per la sicurezza della Repubblica (information system for security).

DIS oversees the activities of AISE and AISI on the correct application of the dispositions issued by the Italian President of the Council of Ministers or a Delegated Authority,[2] as well as in the field of administrative tutelage of classified informations; it manages the promotion activities and the spreading of the culture about security and institutional communication and it addresses for the unitary management of personnel in the various structures.

While leaving intact the exclusive competences of AISE and AISI regarding the elaboration of the related operative research plans, DIS elaborates strategical analysis or related to particular situations, formulates estimations and previsions based on the sectorial analytical contributions of AISE and AISI.

The department has general functions compared to the two operative agencies and it works through the following offices:[2] DIS directly depends on the Prime Minister, expecting the case in which the PM delegates his function to a leader of the government, known as Autorità delegata per la sicurezza della Repubblica (Delegated Authority for Security of the Republic).

The general direction of DIS is entrusted to a first level manager o equated belonging to the State administration, whose nominee and revocation are exclusive made by the Prime Minister, after consulting the CISR.

[12] The inspective office can perform, with the authorization of Prime Minister and also under request of DIS General director, internal investigations on specific episodes and conducts occurred within the Intelligence System for the Security.