It does independent and authoritative research, provides expert policy analysis and advice, and delivers practical training and technical assistance.

[8] The Institute for Security Studies began with a focus in civil-military relations and democratic reform in the waning years of apartheid South Africa, but has since evolved to encompass a wide range of issue areas of human security across Africa, including: human rights, arms control, corruption and governance, climate change, and crime and criminal justice.

It offers advice on global and regional politics, governance and related human security issues.

By using research and technical support the ISS assists governments and regional organisations in understanding global influences and responding to challenges.

[12] Additionally, the ISS website hosts as a repository for African Union documents, dating back to 1990.

This is an extensive, open-source database of disclosure forms of the assets and interests of South African politicians, in an effort to increase transparency of public officials.

[17] The African Futures Project has produced monographs on long-term African development, as well as a quarterly policy brief series that addresses specific development issues, such as the future of traffic accidents and fatalities or the implications of a Green Revolution for Africa.

[20][21][22] The views of ISS staff have been cited and referenced in news stories in the African press, in connection with the Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping[23][24] and in other contexts.