The Center for Higher Defence Studies (CASD – Centro Alti Studi Difesa) is the Italian Defence joint institution providing the highest education level on management,  strategic leadership and defence & security related issues. It is committed to providing specialist and post-graduate education for military officers, industry managers and public sector executives. The organizational structure consists of a President’s Office and a Chief of Staff  Office, which is entrusted with the task of providing overall support and coordination of mutual interest activities for the four independent components: the Institute for Advanced  Defence Studies (IASD), the Joint Services Staff Institute (ISSMI), the I.R.A.D. - PhD school,  The Higher Education and Research Department (DiAFR) and the Joint Logistics Education Centre (CeFLI).

CASD is led by a President who reports directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff. He is assisted by a Steering Committee, of which he is the Chairman. The Committee is made up of the IASD civilian and military assistant Directors, the ISSMI, the IRAD, DiAFR, Ce.FLI respective Directors and the Chief of Staff, whose office has a secretariat function.

The library is located  in the historic building of Palazzo SALVIATI – which houses the Center for Higher Defence Studies (CASD). It was established to support the students’ self-study and research activities. The library is also open to external users.  

The Joint Services Staff Institute (ISSMI) was founded within the Center for Higher Defence Studies (CASD) in July 1994. Its mission is to provide a one-year specialist course for Italian military officers who are bound to take up positions of responsibility in national single services and in joint and international organizations, as well as for civil servants of the MoD. Its goal is the integration of  the national single armed force education in a multinational joint service culture, which ultimately leads to the development of professional training and to unlock cognitive and cultural skills.

The Institute for Advanced Defence Studies is the highest joint education institute of the Italian Defence. Its mission is to provide the highest level of education and professional development for Italian military officers, high-ranking foreign officers coming from allied or friendly countries, senior civil servants from the MoD and other public institutions, for Tax Police officers,  as well as for representatives of institutions, of the industrial, social and economic communities, of the academic and information sector, for professionals and representatives of national private bodies and organizations.

The Defence Research and Analysis Institute (IRAD) is responsible for carrying out and coordinating research, advanced training and strategic analysis activities on political, economic, social, cultural phenomena, military and on the effect of the introduction of new technologies that determine appreciable changes in the defense and security scenario, contributing to the development of culture and knowledge in favor of the community and national interest.

The Joint Logistics Education Centre (Ce.FLI) is part of the Center for Higher Defence Studies (CASD), together with the Institute for Advanced Defence Studies (IASD), the Joint Services Staff Institute (ISSMI) and the Defense Research and Analysis Institute (IRAD). It is a reference point that integrates single service education into joint logistics culture.

The joint logistics education centre carries out studies, develops doctrines and training for Italian military officers, with a national, synergic perspective and approach consistent with NATO and EU objectives.

The Higher Education and Research Department (DiAFR) draws up the Strategic Orientation Plan for Higher Education and Research and is responsible for the planning, design, coordination, didactic evaluation and continuous improvement of the training courses of the Center.