The members of the Institute, include serving and retired officers and members of the Canadian Forces, RCMP, other security agencies, business, industry, community leaders and other interested individuals carry out a number of activities. In particular, RUSI(NS) supports the implementation of effective foreign, defence and security policies encourages the development and maintenance of combat military forces and other highly trained security forces prepares papers, arranges meetings/seminars and conducts briefings to explain the need for properly trained and equipped forces to defend/secure Canada and to contribute to international stability
RUSI(NS) is an Associate member of the Conference of Defence Associations.