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Security and Risk Management Course

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Free Security and Risk Management Course

Every organisation faces uncertainty. Equipment can fail, information can be exposed, unauthorised people may gain access, and poor preparation can make an incident more damaging than it needs to be. Security and risk management provides a structured way to identify what needs protection, examine possible threats and decide how risks should be treated.

This beginner-friendly security and risk management course introduces the essential principles in clear, practical language. Across three online modules, you will examine risk assessment, proportionate mitigation, common threats, vulnerabilities and the basic stages of incident management.

The 30-hour OHSC Level 2 course is free to study and open to learners from all backgrounds. It provides introductory education rather than professional licensing or advanced security-management training. You can also compare the wider range of online security management courses available through OHSC.

What Is Security and Risk Management?

Security management is concerned with protecting people, information, property, systems and operations. Risk management provides the process for deciding which threats deserve attention and what action is proportionate to the likelihood and potential consequences.

A risk is not simply a dangerous object or unwanted event. It arises from the relationship between an asset, a possible threat, an existing vulnerability and the consequences that could follow. For example, confidential records are an asset, unauthorised access is a threat, weak access controls are a vulnerability, and financial or reputational harm may be part of the consequence.

Understanding these relationships helps organisations move beyond reacting to individual incidents. They can instead prioritise preventive measures, prepare suitable responses and review whether existing controls remain effective.

What You Will Learn

By completing the course, learners should be able to:

Explain the purpose and basic scope of security and risk management.
Identify different types of organisational assets that may require protection.
Distinguish between hazards, threats, vulnerabilities, risks and consequences.
Describe the main stages of a structured security risk assessment.
Compare common approaches to avoiding, reducing, transferring or accepting risk.
Explain how preparation, communication and defined responsibilities support incident response.
Recognise why security controls should be reviewed when circumstances change.

The Basic Security Risk Assessment Process

Although methods vary between organisations, an introductory assessment commonly considers the following stages:

Define the scope: Clarify the activity, location, system or assets being examined.
Identify assets: Determine what must be protected and why it matters.
Identify threats: Consider events or actions that could cause harm.
Identify vulnerabilities: Examine weaknesses that could make the threat more likely or damaging.
Review existing controls: Record the physical, technical and procedural measures already in place.
Evaluate the risk: Consider likelihood, consequences and uncertainty.
Select further treatment: Prioritise proportionate actions and assign responsibility.
Record and review: Maintain an understandable record and revisit it when conditions change.

Who Is This Course For?

The course may be suitable for:

Beginners exploring security, risk or facilities-related responsibilities
Employees who contribute to workplace safety, reporting or operational continuity
Small-business owners seeking a clearer understanding of organisational security risk
Administrative or supervisory staff who support policies and incident procedures
Learners considering more advanced security-management study

The course does not assume previous professional security experience. It is designed to build awareness and foundational understanding rather than qualify learners for specialist or regulated work.

How This Course Differs from Other OHSC Security Courses

This page should remain focused on introductory security risk management training. It should not duplicate OHSC’s advanced, AI or security-guard course pages.

Choose this Level 2 course for an introduction to risk assessment, mitigation, threats, vulnerabilities and incident management.

Choose the Advanced Security Management Course for a longer paid programme covering security operations, surveillance, technology, cybersecurity, crisis management and policy.

Choose the AI for Security Monitoring Course for focused study of automated monitoring, real-time detection and predictive analytics.

Choose the free online Security Guard course for a broader introduction to guarding and facilities-related topics.

Professional and Licensing Clarification

This course provides general education in security and risk-management principles. It does not provide an SIA licence, professional security status or authority to undertake regulated security work. It also does not replace a site-specific risk assessment, workplace training, legal advice or instructions from a qualified security professional.

Learners interested in UK licence-linked security training should review the separate SIA Security Course page and verify all current requirements before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Security and Risk Management course free?

Yes. Course access and online study are free. Optional certificates are paid products.

What level is the course?

This is an OHSC Level 2 introductory course. It is not an Ofqual-regulated Level 2 qualification.

How long does the course take?

The estimated duration is approximately 30 hours. Actual completion time may vary according to the learner’s pace and existing knowledge.

Do I need previous security experience?

No. The course is open to all and introduces the subject from a foundational level.

Will this course qualify me to work as a security guard?

No. It is not an SIA licence-linked qualification and does not authorise regulated security work.

Does the course cover cybersecurity?

The course may refer to information and system vulnerabilities as part of organisational security risk. It is not a specialist cybersecurity qualification.

What is the difference between a threat and a vulnerability?

A threat is something that could cause harm. A vulnerability is a weakness that may allow the threat to succeed or increase its consequences.

Build a Foundation in Security Risk Management

Good security decisions begin with understanding what needs protection, what could cause harm and which controls are proportionate. This Level 2 course provides a structured introduction to those questions and the role of preparation in reducing avoidable disruption.

Enrol online to begin the free course, or explore the complete collection of security management courses to compare further study options.

By the end of this course the learner will be able to:

Gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of security management.
Learn to identify and assess security risks within an organization.
Develop risk management plans that adhere to industry standards and legal requirements.
Gain practical experience in responding to security incidents and maintaining business continuity.

Free Study and Optional Certificates

Course access is free from enrolment to completion. You can study the supplied online materials without paying an enrolment fee. Optional certificate products are available to purchase after successful completion, subject to OHSC’s current certificate options and prices.

Purchasing a certificate is not required to access or complete the course. Review the current certificate options and prices before ordering.

An OHSC Level 2 course or optional CPD or Quality Licence Scheme certificate should not be presented as an Ofqual-regulated qualification, professional licence or universal proof of occupational competence.

COURSE CONTENT

Topics Covered in the Course

The course contains the following three modules. The module titles and order have been preserved exactly from the approved course record.

Module 1: Introduction to Security and Risk Management

This module explains the core principles of security and risk management, including the importance of protecting people, assets and information. You will learn how organisations develop frameworks to identify, manage and reduce risks effectively.

The module introduces the language used to discuss security risk. You will consider what organisations may need to protect and why the value of an asset is not always financial. Employee safety, operational continuity, confidential information, reputation and essential services can all require protection.

You will also examine how security responsibilities are shared. Senior management may establish priorities, specialist personnel may advise on controls, and employees have responsibilities for following procedures and reporting concerns. Effective security therefore depends on both technical measures and responsible behaviour.

Module 2: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies

You will explore how to identify potential risks, evaluate their impact and implement effective mitigation measures. This module shows how structured risk assessment helps prevent incidents and strengthen organisational resilience.

A risk assessment begins by establishing its purpose and scope. The next steps commonly involve identifying assets, threats and vulnerabilities; considering likelihood and consequences; reviewing existing controls; and deciding whether further action is required.

The module introduces different risk-treatment options. An organisation might avoid an activity, reduce the likelihood or effect of a threat, transfer part of the financial exposure through insurance or contractual arrangements, or knowingly accept a limited risk. The appropriate response depends on the organisation’s circumstances, responsibilities and available evidence.

Learners are not expected to produce a universally compliant professional assessment after this introductory course. Instead, the module develops an understanding of the questions that a structured assessment should address.

Module 3: Security Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Incident Management

This module covers common security threats, system vulnerabilities and practical approaches to responding to incidents. You will learn how timely detection, clear procedures and coordinated actions help minimise damage and restore normal operations.

Threats can arise from people, technology, environmental conditions or failures in organisational processes. Vulnerabilities may include poor physical controls, weak passwords, inadequate maintenance, unclear responsibilities, limited staff awareness or ineffective reporting arrangements.

The module also introduces incident management. A clear response normally requires accurate reporting, defined escalation routes, appropriate communication, protection of people and evidence, recovery priorities and a review after the immediate event. The precise response must always follow the organisation’s procedures and any applicable professional, legal or regulatory requirements.

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