World institute for nuclear security (wins)

WINS is a non-governmental membership organisation headquartered in Vienna, Austria, established in September 2008 during the IAEA General Conference. Its primary purpose is to improve professionalism and competence in nuclear security to prevent terrorist or criminal misuse of nuclear and radioactive materials. The institute shares best security practices and advocates for professional certification of personnel responsible for nuclear security.

The institute offers workshops, training courses, and short training courses that provide peer-to-peer networking opportunities with a cross-section of the nuclear industry. These programs include the WINS Academy, the world's first certified professional development programme for individuals in nuclear security management, and the Knowledge Centre archive. Services also include evaluation to help licensees assess security programme maturity and measure security culture effectiveness.

WINS operates out of Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 1/18 in the 1030 district of Vienna, Austria, and can be reached via the business telephone +43 1 710 6519 or the email address info@wins.org. The organisation maintains a global reach with 11543 members across 170 countries, demonstrating its international scope.

The training course on Cybersecurity in the Nuclear Industry is priced between GBP 2,875 and 3,200 per delegate and is scheduled to take place from 05-Apr-2027 to 09-Apr-2027 in Lancaster, United Kingdom. Another upcoming event focuses on the security of radioactive sources used in gamma irradiators and facilities handling Cobalt-60 sources, running from 09-Dec-2026 to 10-Dec-2026 in Vienna, Austria.

WINS holds ISO 9001 and ISO 29993 certifications, which confirm its commitment to quality management and educational standards. The institute also works closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on numerous security-related issues to strengthen global nuclear security frameworks.

The WINS Academy is described as the world's first certified professional development programme specifically for individuals with responsibilities in nuclear or radioactive source security management. This unique feature distinguishes the academy from general training providers by focusing exclusively on this specialized field.

Recent feedback on Trustburn shows a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 9 reviews, with the most recent comment dated 2023-08-22. The rating split includes several 5-star reviews praising the instructors and content, alongside some 3-star reviews that still acknowledged the value of the training and resources provided.

Reviewers consistently praise the instructors for being knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful, while also noting that the learning platform is user-friendly and interactive. Many users found the course material well-structured, relevant, and comprehensive, which helped them expand their skills effectively.

The institute was founded in September 2008, making it over 17 years old as of 2026. This history reflects a long-term commitment to building an international community of certified nuclear security professionals willing to collaborate on strengthening material security.

WINS aims to be an international forum for nuclear security professionals and stakeholders, extending its influence through activities like gender parity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. The organisation also provides scholarships and supports alumni and ambassadors to further its mission.

The Knowledge Centre provides access to an extensive archive of information on nuclear security, drawing from both internal WINS resources and external sources. This feature allows members to continuously expand their understanding of the field through curated content.

WINS operates as a non-profit organization management entity, focusing on knowledge exchange and certification. The business model relies on membership fees, training course fees, and donations, as indicated by the presence of a donate option on their website.

The institute's strategic outlook until 2026 outlines three operational goals: being an international forum, extending influence to broader stakeholders, and developing further as a high-quality professional institute. These goals guide their activities and service offerings.

WINS provides evaluation services that help licensees assess the maturity of their security programme and measure the effectiveness of their security culture. This service is designed to support organizations in improving their internal security management systems.

The official website of World institute for nuclear security (wins) is wins.org.