Cyber Governance, Risk, and Compliance (Cyber GRC) is no longer a niche function within security teams - it has become a critical business enabler.
With increasing regulatory pressures, evolving cyber threats, and the need for real-time risk intelligence, organisations can no longer afford fragmented, manual, and reactive risk management processes.
A recent Gartner® report by Jie Zhang and Micheal Kranawetter, “Innovation Insight: Cyber GRC Streamlines Governance”, discusses the urgency of adopting a structured, technology-driven Cyber GRC approach, emphasising that traditional methods are no longer sufficient in today’s dynamic digital space.
The Growing Challenge of Cyber GRC
Many organisations are struggling with ineffective governance due to disconnected risk management tools. According to Gartner®:
“Eighty-five percent of Gartner clients who use GRC technology have multiple tools in place. When organisations use multiple tools focused on different risk domains, not specifically designed for cyber GRC, data is fragmented, and it is difficult to understand the impact of cyber risks.”
Why Cyber GRC Matters?
- Fragmented tools lead to gaps in cyber risk management - Using multiple, siloed tools for governance and compliance means organizations lack a holistic view of risk. Critical threats may go undetected when cyber risks are not evaluated within the broader business context, leaving companies vulnerable.
- Compliance is no longer just a checkbox - Regulations like DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act), NIS-2 (Network and Information Security Directive), and GDPR demand continuous compliance, not just annual audits or point-in-time assessments. Organisations that rely on manual processes or spreadsheets struggle to maintain ongoing compliance, increasing their risk exposure.
- Cyber risk needs to be quantified like other business risks - Business leaders require measurable insights into cyber risk impact. Without risk quantification, security teams struggle to communicate risks in financial terms, making it difficult to secure budget and executive buy-in.
The Future of Cyber GRC: Key Trends Identified by Gartner®
To address these challenges, Gartner® predicts a major shift in Cyber GRC strategies. The report states:
“By 2027, 75% of cyber GRC tool evaluations will include use cases for Continuous Control Monitoring (CCM), Cybersecurity Continuous Compliance Automation (CCCA), and Cyber Risk Quantification (CRQ).
While the specific capabilities of a cyber GRC function may vary depending on the organisation’s sector, size, operational model, dependency on digital technology, reporting structure and overall maturity, some high-level capabilities are generally important to consider.”
What does it mean for your organisation?
- Continuous Control Monitoring (CCM) - Traditional compliance models rely on periodic audits, which can leave security gaps undetected for months. CCM enables real-time visibility into security controls, ensuring organisations can respond proactively to vulnerabilities before they escalate.
✔️ Real-time monitoring of security controls
✔️ Automated risk detection and response
✔️ Reduced manual compliance efforts
- Cybersecurity Continuous Compliance Automation (CCCA) - With regulations tightening globally, compliance teams cannot rely on manual tracking. CCCA automates compliance management, ensuring organizations remain continuously aligned with frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR.
✔️ Automated compliance tracking & reporting
✔️ Elimination of human errors in audits
✔️ Seamless integration with existing security tools
- Cyber Risk Quantification (CRQ) - Boards and executives require risk insights translated into financial terms. CRQ enables organizations to measure cyber risk in business impact terms, helping security teams justify investments and prioritize mitigation efforts.
✔️ Linking cyber risks to financial impact
✔️ Data-driven risk decision-making
✔️ Strategic alignment with business goals
These features enable organizations to effectively manage cyber risks and ensure compliance in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Taking Action: Why Organisations Need a Unified Cyber GRC Approach
Organisations must move away from disparate risk management tools to future-proof cybersecurity strategies and adopt a centralised, automated, and scalable Cyber GRC platform.
The Benefits of a Unified Cyber GRC Approach
- Enhanced Risk Visibility – Break down silos and integrate risk data across departments.
- Streamlined Compliance – Automate workflows and reduce compliance burdens.
- Proactive Cyber Risk Management – Move from reactive assessments to continuous monitoring.
- Improved Executive Communication – Use risk quantification to align cybersecurity with business strategy
How SureCloud Can Help
As a recognised Representative Provider in this Gartner® research, we believe SureCloud helps organisations move from fragmented security governance to an integrated, automated, and proactive Cyber GRC strategy. Learn more about our product.
Disclaimers
The graphics were published by Gartner, Inc. as part of a larger research document and should be evaluated in the context of the entire document. The Gartner document is available upon request from SureCloud.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
Source: “Innovation Insight: Cyber GRC Streamlines Governance” by Jie Zhang and Micheal Kranawetter, 13 August 2024 [ID: G00815931].
GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
