Why governance, risk, and compliance must be integrated with cybersecurity

• Integrating cybersecurity into governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks is becoming increasingly essential as organizations face evolving threats and stringent regulatory demands.
• The integration involves mapping cyber risks, assessing potential impacts, and developing strategic action plans.
• Effective cybersecurity governance involves collaboration across various organizational functions, including legal, ethics, compliance, and internal audit, to ensure that cybersecurity controls are effective and that senior leadership and board members adequately communicate to and understand the organization’s cyber risk posture.

Integrating cybersecurity into governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) frameworks is becoming increasingly essential as organizations face evolving threats and stringent regulatory demands. Factors such as cloud adoption, hybrid workforces, and the widespread use of generative AI drive the need for comprehensive risk management that encompasses cybersecurity. This integration aims to ensure that cybersecurity measures align with broader business objectives and regulatory requirements, helping organizations manage cyber risks more effectively and maintain compliance with laws like the GDPR and California’s CCPA.

Organizations recognize the importance of moving away from siloed approaches to security and compliance, which is crucial for maintaining a resilient supply chain and managing third-party risks. The integration involves mapping cyber risks, assessing potential impacts, and developing strategic action plans. This shift is also reflected in the regulatory landscape, where entities like the SEC are mandating increased disclosure of cyber risk management by board directors, highlighting the need for a strategic approach to cybersecurity within corporate governance structures.

The challenges of aligning cybersecurity with GRC frameworks are significant, involving continuously adapting to a rapidly changing cyber threat landscape and integrating cybersecurity practices into existing GRC processes. This integration requires clear communication and a deep understanding of cybersecurity’s technical and business aspects. Effective cybersecurity governance involves collaboration across various organizational functions, including legal, ethics, compliance, and internal audit, to ensure that cybersecurity controls are effective and that senior leadership and board members adequately communicate to and understand the organization’s cyber risk posture.

Read the full article