IRM launches new Digital Risk Certificate

IRM launches new Digital Risk Certificate

IRM officially launched its new Digital Risk Management Certificate developed this month, with the support of University of Warwick experts. The new specialist Certificate, awarded by the IRM and developed with support from the WMG Cyber Security Centre at the University of Warwick and the University’s Department of Politics and International Studies, has been designed…

IRM officially launched its new Digital Risk Management Certificate developed this month, with the support of University of Warwick experts.

The new specialist Certificate, awarded by the IRM and developed with support from the WMG Cyber Security Centre at the University of Warwick and the University’s Department of Politics and International Studies, has been designed to equip individuals to apply and develop their skills in an increasingly digital world.

The course covers how to carry out digital risk assessments provides a detailed grounding in cyber security principles and practices and also looks at the ethical issues surrounding both privacy and machine learning.

Key areas

The key topics covered are:

  • The digital world and the “4th industrial revolution”
  • Digital disruption, organisational and societal change
  • Risk management principles and practices in relation to digital risk
  • Ethical implications of digital innovation
  • Principles and practice of cyber security and incident management and
  • Audit and assurance for digital and emerging risk

Professor Tom Sorell, Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Warwick, who contributed to the development of the study guide and syllabus, said: “I was delighted to help develop the learning materials for this new IRM course. The course will introduce learners to digital as a disruptive force both in products and services, as well as offering clear explanations around cybersecurity risks in business or the public sector.”

“It is designed to develop a clear understanding of digital products and risks, and the tools and techniques which can help businesses stay protected. We hope the course will also appeal to anyone who would like to know more about the opportunities and vulnerabilities unleashed by the internet,” he added.

Global reach

Dr Ian Livsey, Chief Executive of the Institute of Risk Management, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the University of Warwick on the academic content and to be able to offer this important new course globally.”

Dr Livsey said that the digital world offered huge benefits and opportunities, but that its risks must also be clearly understood and managed.  “One of the biggest risks organisations now face is the speed at which they could be disrupted by both operational and strategic threats,” he said. “We have seen multiple high profile cases in the media detailing cyberattacks, data breaches and ransomware demands as well as total disruption of traditional markets by new ways of delivering products and services.”

He said that everyone concerned with the management of organisations should be equipped with the knowledge and understanding to mitigate these risks, to which the new course is the perfect introduction. “Tomorrow’s risk experts clearly need these skills but we also forecast interest from other business professionals who can see that they also need to be on top of these developments,” he said.

The new Certificate can be taken on a standalone basis (and completed in as little as 6 months).

The course will be open for enrolment late 2018 with students starting their studies in 2019. It will be delivered by supported distance learning online and involve approximately 180 hours of study time. Students will sit their exam onscreen at test centres across the world.

To register your interest please visit: https://www.theirm.org/digitalrisk

Take the IRM’s short online quiz to see exactly how much you know about digital risk, and what the repercussions can be for businesses and individuals alike:

https://www.theirm.org/qualifications/certificate-in-digital-risk-management.aspx





← Previous

Facing fax – don’t risk an unsecure network
With the advent of GDPR, risk managers are already advised to undertake risk assessments to…






Next →

The anatomy of a crisis
Nearly 60 per cent of senior crisis management executives feel that they are facing more…

7 OCTOBER 2026

Key elements of a mature programme risk capability

Hosted by Vinay Shrivastava. Vinay's presentation will cover lessons he has learned over the course of his career. These insights will be shared using the principles of ISO31000 risk management.

Find out more

8 OCTOBER 2026

Pre-deployment agentic risk management

Delivered by Adam Grainger, the outcome of this session is to be able to support an agentic implementation with effective pre-deployment risk identification and mitigation.

Find out more

14 OCTOBER 2026

AI Transforming Enterprise Risk Management Activities

Risk management has changed considerably over the years, with new frameworks, standards and expectations shaping the way organisations manage risk. However, many of the day-to-day activities within Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) functions have remained much the same.

Find out more

Advertisement