Foundation Module

Issued on 30 Apr 2026 by

World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS)

Expires: 30 Apr 2031

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This learning programme provides the learning required to understand the fundamentals of nuclear security and covers the foundations of nuclear security: at the international level through the framework of international instruments, international organisations and international initiatives; at the national level through the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear security and the best practices that have been identified by competent authorities involved in nuclear security; and at the operational level through organisations (licensees/licence holders/duty holders/operators) and their implementation of nuclear security systems and measures to address the threats and reduce the risk arising from malicious acts involving nuclear and other radioactive materials, associated facilities and associated activities. The learning discusses the objective, essential elements, concepts, and principles of nuclear security as these have been defined over time; threat assessment and the risk-informed approach; radiological consequences; design basis threat; representative threat statements; external threats and insider threats; adversaries; defence in depth; the graded approach; physical protection; information security and cybersecurity; nuclear security systems and measures; radioactive source security; material outside of regulatory control and many more.

#CNSfP #Foundation #Nuclear #Security

Issuer

World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS)

info@wins.org

Criteria

To achieve and obtain this Digital Credential the badge holder has:

• Completed the programme module learning – approximately 40 guided learning hours equivalence.

• Passed the independently proctored examination – achieving a Pass score of 65% or above.

The Credential can be held for the validity period specified. The Credential can be used and shared by the holder during the validity period and will expire at the end. The Credential can be maintained and extended by completing the WINS Academy recertification process. WINS maintains the right to revoke awarded Credentials.

Achievements

The overriding goal of this course is to help participants develop a fundamental understanding of radioactive source security. This entails expanding their orientation from a focus on preventing an inadvertent security incident to one that also includes people who seek to carry out malicious acts intended to create harm. The achievements gained by achieving certification are:

• Understand basic radiation terms and concepts.

• Understand basic terms and concepts dealing with nuclear and other radioactive material.

• Understand benefits of radioactive sources in different industries.

• Understand the IAEA’s system for categorising radioactive sources.

• Understand the threat environment surrounding radioactive sources.

• Understand the risks posed by radioactive sources.

• Understand the international legal framework that supports radioactive source security and the impact this framework has on national regulations and licensee responsibilities.

• Understand State responsibilities for radioactive source security.

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of the regulatory body for ensuring radioactive source security.

• Understand licensees’ roles and responsibilities for radioactive source security.

• Understand the basic security measures that are implemented to ensure the security of radioactive sources.

• Understand some common processes used to control access to radioactive sources and devices used to detect, delay and respond to an adversary.

• Understand the purpose of a security policy and a security plan, who creates them, what they contain, and how they are used.

• Understand the basic administrative roles and responsibilities that executive management have for ensuring the security of their radioactive sources.

• Understand what security culture means and how to ensure that it is effective.

• Understand what human reliability means in the workplace and how to support it.

• Understand some of the benefits and drawbacks of replacing radioactive sources with an alternative technology.

• Understand how to keep radioactive sources secure when they are being transported.

Alignments

WINS Academy Certification learning programmes_INFCIRC

https://www.iaea.org/publications/documents/infcircs/communication-dated-1-december-2016-received-from-the-permanent-mission-of-canada-concerning-certified-training-for-nuclear-security-management

IAEA INFCIRC 901 Joint Statement on Certified Training for Nuclear Security Management.

One of the four key commitments outlined in the Joint Statement is for Subscribing States to “Ensure that management and personnel with accountability for nuclear security are demonstrably competent” for nuclear and other radiological to remain secure. The Joint Statement outlines two ways in which States can support the training of effective and competent managers of those materials and related facilities:

• Maintaining and continuously improving domestic or regional training through education, certification and/or qualification activities; and

• Supporting or participating in the development of World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS) best practice guides and training activities.

WINS Academy Certification learning programmes_NCfN

https://www.wins.org/wins-academy-courses-recognised-by-the-uks-national-college-for-nuclear/

The WINS Academy programmes are also “Recognised” as a Level 2 Certificate by the National College for Nuclear (NCfN). This recognition confirms the quality, adequacy and sustainability of WINS Academy courses to be provided to those working within the UK’s nuclear industry.