What Does a GRC Expert Do in Cybersecurity? Roles, Skills & Career Scope Explained

Table of Contents

• What Is GRC in Cybersecurity?
• Why Is the Role of a GRC Expert Important in Cybersecurity?
• Core Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity GRC Expert
• Key Skills Required for GRC Experts in Cybersecurity
• What Tools Do GRC Experts Use?
• Industries That Hire GRC Cybersecurity Professionals
• Career Path of a GRC Cybersecurity Expert
• Certifications That Add Value to GRC Roles
• Challenges GRC Experts Face
• Future of GRC in Cybersecurity
• Conclusion
•  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In today’s cyber-risk landscape, organizations can’t afford security gaps, compliance violations, or unmitigated threats. That’s where a GRC expert in cybersecurity comes in.

But what exactly do GRC professionals do? What does GRC mean in cybersecurity, and why is this role critical?

Let’s explore everything about Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) experts and their work in cybersecurity.

What Is GRC in Cybersecurity?

GRC stands for Governance, Risk, and Compliance. It is a strategic framework that ensures a company:

• Aligns its IT and security strategies with business goals (Governance)

• Identifies, manages, and mitigates potential cybersecurity threats (Risk Management)

• Adheres to laws, regulations, and internal policies (Compliance)

A GRC expert is responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and executing these components in an organization’s cybersecurity program.

Why Is the Role of a GRC Expert Important in Cybersecurity?

With evolving regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and more — plus increasing ransomware and phishing threats — businesses need someone who:

• Understands risk from both technical and business perspectives

• Knows how to build a cybersecurity governance strategy

• Can bridge the gap between IT security and compliance requirements

A GRC expert does all of this and more, ensuring not only security but also resilience and trust.

Core Responsibilities of a Cybersecurity GRC Expert

Here’s what a GRC professional typically works on:

Policy Creation and Governance

• Develops and enforces security policies, standards, and procedures

• Ensures IT and security controls align with business objectives

• Works with leadership to implement a governance model

Risk Management

• Performs risk assessments, threat modeling, and vulnerability evaluations

• Recommends mitigation strategies and monitors risk metrics

• Prioritizes cybersecurity risks based on business impact

Compliance Monitoring

• Tracks adherence to regulatory frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2, etc.)

• Coordinates with auditors and legal teams

• Ensures continuous compliance posture and audit readiness

Third-Party Risk Management

• Evaluates vendor security through third-party risk assessments

• Ensures third-party systems do not compromise internal infrastructure

Security Awareness & Reporting

• Prepares security dashboards and risk reports for stakeholders

• Conducts training and promotes a cyber-aware culture

Key Skills Required for GRC Experts in Cybersecurity

What Tools Do GRC Experts Use?

• RSA Archer

• ServiceNow GRC

• LogicGate

• MetricStream

• OpenPages

• RiskWatch

• OneTrust

• Vanta
  These tools help automate risk assessments, compliance checks, and reporting.

Industries That Hire GRC Cybersecurity Professionals

GRC experts are in demand across industries including:

• Banking & Financial Services

• Healthcare

• Telecommunications

• Energy & Utilities

• Retail & E-commerce

• Government & Defense

• Technology & SaaS

Career Path of a GRC Cybersecurity Expert

A GRC expert’s career can begin from roles like:

• Security Analyst

• IT Auditor

• Compliance Specialist

And grow into:

• GRC Analyst / Manager

• Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Certifications That Add Value to GRC Roles

Earning cybersecurity certifications boosts credibility. Recommended ones include:

• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

• ISO 27001 Lead Implementer

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework Certifications

Challenges GRC Experts Face

• Balancing security needs vs business agility

• Dealing with ever-changing regulatory landscapes

• Addressing shadow IT and hidden risks

• Managing remote work vulnerabilities

• Ensuring board-level visibility of cybersecurity risk

Future of GRC in Cybersecurity

GRC roles are evolving rapidly with:

• AI-enhanced GRC tools

• Continuous compliance automation

• Cloud-specific risk frameworks

• Zero Trust Architecture integration

In short, GRC is becoming central to enterprise cybersecurity planning — not just a regulatory checkbox.

Conclusion: Why GRC Experts Are Essential for Cybersecurity Today

In an era of growing threats and tighter compliance, GRC experts help organizations stay protected, aligned, and legally secure.

They ensure that every technical action taken in security also supports the company’s broader business goals, legal obligations, and ethical standards.

Whether in Fortune 500s or startups, GRC professionals are the backbone of responsible cybersecurity.

FAQs:

What is a GRC expert in cybersecurity?

A GRC expert is a professional responsible for managing governance, risk, and compliance within an organization’s cybersecurity framework.

What does GRC stand for in cybersecurity?

GRC stands for Governance, Risk, and Compliance—key pillars of a strong cybersecurity strategy.

What are the main responsibilities of a cybersecurity GRC expert?

They manage cyber policies, perform risk assessments, ensure regulatory compliance, and guide secure decision-making across departments.

Why is GRC important in cybersecurity?

It helps organizations align IT with business goals while mitigating risks and ensuring adherence to laws and standards.

Is GRC a technical or non-technical role?

GRC combines both—it involves understanding technical systems and applying business and legal oversight.

What skills are needed to become a GRC expert?

Skills include cybersecurity governance, risk analysis, regulatory compliance, auditing, communication, and GRC tools.

What certifications are best for GRC professionals?

Top certifications include CRISC, CISA, CISM, CISSP, and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer.

What industries hire GRC cybersecurity experts?

Banking, healthcare, telecom, government, energy, retail, and tech are major employers.

Do GRC experts need to code?

Not necessarily. While technical familiarity helps, coding isn't mandatory for most GRC roles.

What tools do GRC experts use?

Popular tools include RSA Archer, ServiceNow GRC, MetricStream, and OneTrust.

What is the role of compliance in GRC?

Compliance ensures that the organization follows legal and internal security policies.

What is risk management in GRC?

Risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

What is governance in cybersecurity?

Governance refers to strategic oversight that ensures security aligns with organizational goals.

How is GRC related to information security?

GRC forms the policy and risk backbone of an organization’s broader cybersecurity strategy.

What frameworks do GRC experts follow?

Common frameworks include NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, COBIT, and SOX.

What is the salary of a GRC expert in cybersecurity?

Salaries vary by region, but mid to senior-level GRC professionals often earn ₹10–30 LPA in India and $90K–150K/year in the US.

Can GRC experts work remotely?

Yes, many GRC roles can be done remotely, especially in global cybersecurity teams.

What’s the difference between GRC and IT audit?

IT auditors assess existing controls, while GRC experts build, monitor, and improve those controls proactively.

Is GRC part of a SOC team?

Yes, many Security Operations Centers include GRC roles for compliance and risk functions.

How does a GRC expert help during a data breach?

They assess policy violations, guide incident response teams, and ensure legal obligations are met.

What is third-party risk in GRC?

It refers to risks introduced by vendors or partners, which GRC experts evaluate and mitigate.

Can GRC experts become CISOs?

Yes, GRC experts often rise to roles like Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) due to their strategic and compliance expertise.

Do GRC experts write cybersecurity policies?

Yes, creating and updating policies is a major responsibility of GRC experts.

What is the difference between compliance and risk management?

Compliance focuses on regulations; risk management deals with potential threats beyond compliance.

What is a GRC dashboard?

It’s a visual tool that displays metrics related to cyber risks, compliance status, and governance KPIs.

What’s the role of AI in GRC?

AI is used for automating compliance checks, predicting risks, and enhancing decision-making in GRC platforms.

Is GRC a good career path in 2025?

Absolutely. With growing regulatory requirements and cybersecurity threats, GRC is a booming field.

How do GRC experts assess cybersecurity risk?

They use tools, frameworks, and business context to identify, prioritize, and mitigate cyber threats.

How do GRC professionals ensure audit readiness?

They maintain continuous monitoring, documentation, and enforce controls to pass internal and external audits.

Can small businesses benefit from GRC?

Yes, even small organizations need to manage risks and comply with regulations—GRC helps them do that efficiently.