Risk Foundations
Certificate Program
The Risk Foundations Certificate Program is a beginner-level certificate designed to provide a solid entry point into the risk management profession. The program moves beyond the traditional view of simply protecting against negative downside risks, teaching participants how to use risk fundamentals to form decisions that benefit the organization.
Through a combination of virtual workshops and on-demand coursework, participants will explore the "why" and "how" of risk management—examining it as a function, process, discipline, and profession. This program is essential for those looking to build a career in risk, offering the tools to support broader Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) goals and strategic decision-making.
Why earn the certificate:
- Master the Fundamentals: Learn why and how executives use risk fundamentals to create and protect value.
- Establish a Unified Language: Learn to build a robust risk taxonomy to categorize risks consistently and improve reporting clarity across the organization.
- Elevate Critical Thinking: Discover how to identify and manage cognitive bias to improve judgment and decision-making.
- Meet Stakeholder Expectations: Gain the skills needed to meet the expectations of internal and external stakeholders and support broader organizational goals.
Level: Beginner
Credits: 24 RIMS Credits
Format: Live Virtual, Self-Paced On-Demand
Courses: Four
$1,450 RIMS Member
$2,000 Non-member
UPCOMING COHORTS
Cohort 1: February 2026 Start
Virtual Workshops
- Fundamentals of Risk Management
February 10–11, 2026 - Risk Taxonomy
February 25, 2026
On-Demand Courses
- Managing Cognitive Bias Risk
- Risk Management Techniques
Complete on-demand courses by June 30, 2026.
Cohort 2: August 2026 Start
Virtual Workshops
- Risk Taxonomy
August 26, 2026 - Fundamentals of Risk Management
September 22–23, 2026
On-Demand Courses
- Managing Cognitive Bias Risk
- Risk Management Techniques
Complete on-demand courses by December 31, 2026.
After purchase, you will receive the link to access the courses. You may also access the link in your RIMS profile under My Events.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Fundamentals of Risk Management (Virtual Workshop)
This interactive workshop focuses on the building blocks of risk management frameworks. It guides attendees through the evaluation of the purpose, function, and process of risk management, helping them determine the best approach for their organization's needs.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Grasp the Basics: Understand the history and evolution of risk management.
- Navigate the Landscape: Learn to navigate the dynamic risk landscape from a foundational standpoint.
- Define the Profession: Define risk management clearly as a function, process, discipline, and profession.
- Apply Core Principles: Apply core principles, tools, and techniques to real-world business applications.
Risk Taxonomy for Effective Risk Management (Virtual Workshop)
A well-defined risk taxonomy is the backbone of any robust risk management framework. This interactive workshop guides participants through the process of classifying and managing risks to enhance decision-making and ensure consistent mitigation strategies across the organization.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define Key Concepts: Differentiate between taxonomy, ontology, and thesauri within a risk context.
- Strengthen Governance: Explain the critical role of taxonomy in reporting, risk appetite, and ownership assignment.
- Optimize Systems: Analyze current taxonomies to identify weaknesses and propose specific changes to top-level categories.
- Support ERM: Align risk classification with organizational goals and strategic plans to evolve the ERM maturity.
Managing Cognitive Bias Risk (On-Demand Course)
This self-paced course tackles the critical role of human psychology in risk assessment. It explores how cognitive bias—a systematic deviation from rationality—can hinder accurate risk evaluation and decision-making.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Recognize Bias: Learn to distinguish different types of biases and their impact on analysis and judgment.
- Differentiate CBR Types: Differentiate between individual, social, strategic, and tactical Cognitive Bias Risk (CBR).
- Master Debiasing: Understand techniques and best practices to reduce the impact of CBR.
Risk Management Techniques (On-Demand Course)
This self-paced course provides the technical skills needed to meet stakeholder expectations. It focuses on traditional risk management basics while positioning learners to support broader ERM and strategic goals.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Apply Concepts & Tools: Learn and apply the purpose, concepts, and tools of the risk management process.
- Support Decision-Making: Establish the foundation for an ERM approach that supports executive decision-making.
- Enable Oversight: Provide the board and leadership with the data needed to fulfil risk oversight responsibilities.
REGISTRATION FEES
Cohort 1: February 2026 Start
Cohort 2: August 2026 Start
For registration assistance, please contact our Professional Development Team at PD@RIMS.org.
Cancellations and Refunds
RIMS reserves the right to cancel a course if conditions warrant. In the event of such a cancellation, registration fees will be refunded.
All requests for refunds or changes must be submitted in writing to RIMS at PD@RIMS.org. Registrants who cancel 15 business days or more prior to the start of the workshop can receive a credit to attend another workshop with the same duration and cost within three months.
You may cancel your registration at any time by emailing PD@RIMS.org. Cancellations received more than 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations received 15 to 30 days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be provided for cancellations received less than 15 days prior to the event. No refunds will be issued after the event. All refunds will be refunded to your original method of payment. Registrations may not be shared but may be transferred at no cost up to 15 days prior to the start of the event with notification to PD@RIMS.org.