Cybersecurity GRC: definition, model and best practices for businesses
Cybersecurity GRC helps businesses anticipate threats and stay compliant through integrated risk management.
Ransomware that paralyzes hospitals, phishing using artificial intelligence, increasingly strict European regulations... According to the IBM study Cost of a Data Breach 2023, the average cost of a data breach now exceeds $4.45 million. At the same time, ANSSI notes a 37% increase in ransomware attacks in France over one year. These figures remind us of the obvious: cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue, but a strategic imperative that directly involves the sustainability of the company.
To deal with this, organizations are increasingly adopting an approach called Cyber Security GRC — in other words, the integration of Governance, Risk Management and Compliance in a single and coherent strategy.
In this article, we are going to detail:
- what is cybersecurity GRC,
- why it has become indispensable,
- how to implement it effectively,
- what are the models and best practices to follow,
- And how a solution like Egerie can speed up its implementation
What is GRC applied to cybersecurity?
The RCMP, for Governance — Risks — Compliance, is a framework that allows businesses to align their cybersecurity with their strategic goals.
- Governance : it is the definition of rules, policies and responsibilities to oversee cybersecurity activities. In particular, it involves the general management, the steering committees and the CSSI (Information Systems Security Manager). Governance defines “who does what” and the decision-making framework.
- Risk Management : it involves identifying threats to the information system (ransomware, phishing, data loss, supplier failure, etc.), evaluating their probability and impact, and then defining mitigation plans.
- Compliance : it guarantees compliance with current regulations (RGPD, NIS 2, DORA, ISO 27001...) and internal policies. A bank that does not respect DORA, for example, is exposed not only to sanctions, but also to a loss of credibility with its customers.
In other words: with cybersecurity GRC, it is a question of moving from a purely technical logic to a resilient organizational culture, where every decision takes into account performance, risk and compliance at the same time.
Let's take a concrete example: a large distribution company can use governance to define a cybersecurity committee attached to COMEX; risk management to map its weaknesses related to logistics providers; and compliance to ensure that all its subsidiaries comply with the GDPR. This combination perfectly illustrates how cyber GRC transforms theoretical concepts into concrete and measurable actions.
Why has GRC become essential in cybersecurity?
The need for a cyber GRC strategy is explained by several converging factors.
1. Cyber threats that are constantly evolving
The figures speak for themselves: in France, the ANSSI identified more than 150 major incidents in 2023, a large part of which were linked to ransomware. And these attacks no longer only target large groups: local authorities, hospitals or SMEs are also affected. Every month, new forms of attacks are emerging:
- ransomware targeting hospitals and communities,
- supply chain attacks compromising service providers to reach their customers,
- sophisticated phishing supported by generative AI,
- internal threats related to human error or malicious intent
2. A strengthened regulatory framework
The European Union is imposing increasingly stringent regulations:
Between the RGPD, NIS 2, DORA and ISO standards, not to mention the sectoral standards (TISAX in the automotive industry, HIPAA in health...), CISOs are facing a real regulatory jungle. Each text brings new obligations: notification of incidents within 24 hours, documented risk analysis, permanent compliance monitoring... Ignoring these rules can mean exposing yourself to financial sanctions that can reach several million euros.
3. Increased organizational complexity
The cloud, SaaS, the spread of remote working and the openness to partners are multiplying the potential entry points for attackers, and the exposure surface for businesses is exploding. A failure at a supplier can have cascading repercussions. The management of third parties (subcontractors, IT service providers, external service providers) is therefore becoming a critical issue.
In addition, there is a factor that is often underestimated: customer trust. In a world where transparency has become a requirement, a cyber incident can ruin years of business efforts. According to a PwC study, 85% of consumers say they would refuse to work with a company that does not properly protect their data. Cybersecurity GRC therefore does not only protect systems: it also protects the reputation and credibility of the organization.
In summary: without cybersecurity GRC, businesses take the risk of navigating by sight in an environment of constantly evolving threats and constraints.
How to implement an effective cybersecurity GRC strategy?
The success of a GRC approach is based on a few fundamental steps:
1. Setting the framework and goals
Start by identifying the regulatory requirements applicable to your sector, then translate them into clear goals that are aligned with the company's overall strategy. Example: “Ensure full compliance with NIS 2 within 12 months.”
This phase is also an opportunity to involve key stakeholders. The RSSI plays a technical and operational role, while the Risk Manager provides a more global vision of risks. The DPO, for its part, ensures compliance with regulations related to personal data. Without this coordination, the GRC strategy is likely to remain theoretical.
2. Mapping and prioritizing risks
It is the cornerstone of the process. Identify your critical assets (business IS, customer data, cloud infrastructures) and assess threats taking into account business risks (service interruption, reputation damage, loss of turnover).
A good practice is to use a criticality matrix that combines probability and impact. For example, a phishing attack may have a high probability but a medium impact, while a strategic supplier compromise has a low probability but a critical impact. This type of tool helps decision makers to prioritize their investments effectively.
3. Integrate compliance into processes
Compliance should not be treated as a one-off constraint (e.g. ISO audit), but integrated into daily activities. Example: checking compliance when choosing a cloud provider, or integrating data protection when designing a new application (“privacy by design”).
4. Automate and monitor continuously
GRC tools facilitate implementation through:
- automatic updating of risk data,
- alerts on compliance discrepancies,
- generation of reports ready to be shared with management.
That is exactly what the Egerie platform, by centralizing risk mapping, compliance and management in a single collaborative environment.
The GRC capability model applied to cybersecurity
To transform GRC into concrete practice, there is a reference model: GRC Capability Model.
This model is based on 4 successive steps:
- Learn
Understand the specific context of the organization: its sector, its culture, its objectives and its cyber threats specific to the organization. Example: a bank will not have the same priorities as a hospital. - Align
Link strategic and business objectives to regulatory existences and technical constraints. In other words: ensuring that cybersecurity is not disconnected from the overall strategy. This means, for example, aligning security policy with NIS 2 requirements and shareholder expectations. - Execute
Deploy policies and measures: audits, access controls, training, risk treatment plans, incident detection, etc. - Examine
Regularly measure the effectiveness of devices and adapt them to changes (new laws, new technologies such as generative AI). Example: after the entry into force of NIS 2, a company may need to strengthen its incident reporting.
The GRC capability model is often complemented by an analysis of the maturity of the organization. There are generally five levels:
- Level 1 — Initial : non-existent or ad hoc practices.
- Level 2 — Repeatable : some processes are defined, but not systematic.
- Level 3 — Defined : processes are documented and shared across the organization.
- Level 4 — Controlled : performance is measured and monitored by indicators.
- Level 5 — Optimized : GRC is integrated into the company culture, with continuous improvement.
Assessing maturity makes it possible to identify priorities and to move forward in realistic steps.
The challenges of cybersecurity GRC
Setting up an effective cyber GRC is not without obstacles, here are the most common ones:
- Organizational silos : IT, legal, compliance and business departments often work separately and therefore lack coordination.
- Regulatory complexity : simultaneously follow RGPD, NIS 2 and ISO 27001 can become unmanageable without a centralized tool.
- Lack of skills : cyber GRC experts are rare, and recruiting them is expensive.
- Fragmented vision (or lack of visibility) : without appropriate tools, it is difficult to have a consolidated and real-time view of cyber posture.
Another common challenge is related to The documentation. In some businesses, a simple ISO audit can require several weeks of collecting evidence scattered across different departments. With a centralized GRC solution, this information is automatically consolidated, significantly reducing audit time and cost.
To overcome these challenges, companies are turning to centralized and collaborative solutions such as Egerie, which simplify monitoring and allow COMEX and operational staff to speak a common language.
Best practices for a successful cybersecurity GRC
Beyond frameworks and tools, a few key practices make the difference:
- Get management buy-in : if COMEX does not support the approach, it will remain a dead letter.
- Train and raise awareness among employees : 80% of incidents are of human origin. A simple ill-advised click can ruin the best technical protections.
- Define clear roles : RSSI, Risk Manager, DPO, lawyers, business managers... everyone must know what their scope is.
- Measuring and progressing : regular audits, crisis simulations, maturity indicators.
- Adopting a gradual approach : it is better to succeed in a limited pilot project (e.g. NIS 2 compliance on a critical perimeter) than to aim all at once and fail.
Some organizations go further by regularly organizing crisis exercises (tabletop exercises). These simulations make it possible to test the reactivity of teams in real conditions in the face of an incident: who alerts management? How do you communicate with customers? What is the priority recovery plan? These scenarios reinforce cyber maturity and facilitate decision-making on the day when a real attack occurs.
La Cyber Security GRC is much more than a compliance tool: it is a strategic lever that allows organizations to protect their assets, reassure their customers and strengthen their competitiveness.
By combining governance, risk management, and compliance, organizations can move from a fragile posture to a Resilient culture. And those who equip themselves with the right tools gain in efficiency, credibility and trust.
To turn this approach into concrete results, ask a free demo of the Egerie platform, already adopted by hundreds of CISOs and Risk Managers.
Cyber Security GRC FAQ
What is GRC in cybersecurity?
It is an integrated approach that combines governance, risk management and compliance to secure information systems.
What is the difference between GRC and GRC cybersecurity?
GRC covers governance, risks and compliance in all areas of the business (finance, HR, operations...). Cybersecurity GRC is a specific application, focused on digital risks, regulatory obligations related to data and the resilience of information systems.
What are the advantages of a cyber GRC?
Better threat forecasting, strengthened compliance, optimized management costs and increased stakeholder confidence.
What tools should be used for cybersecurity GRC?
Specialized software that centralizes risk management, compliance, and reporting, like Egerie.
What sectors are the most affected by cybersecurity GRC?
All are concerned, but particularly: the financial sector (DORA), critical infrastructures (NIS 2), health (RGPD, HIPAA), the automotive sector (TISAX).
How to measure the GRC maturity of an organization?
By assessing the level of integration between governance, risks and compliance. A mature organization is able to manage its security continuously, adapt quickly and report clearly to its stakeholders.
