If you’re looking for a smart way to break into cybersecurity, risk management, or corporate compliance, becoming a GRC analyst is a strong move. It’s one of the few roles that blends technical awareness with strategic thinking, without requiring you to become a coder or full-on cybersecurity engineer.
More companies are recognizing the need for stronger governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) functions. According to Deloitte’s Global Future of Cyber Survey, 4th Edition, 57% of respondents anticipate increasing their cybersecurity budgets over the next 12 to 24 months, reflecting growing pressure from regulatory demands and digital threats. This trend signals rising demand for skilled GRC analysts, especially those with cybersecurity awareness.
This guide breaks down exactly how to become a GRC analyst in 12 detailed, actionable steps, along with a quick primer on what this role is and why it matters.
What Does a GRC Analyst Do?
A GRC analyst (Governance, Risk, and Compliance analyst) helps a company manage internal and external risks, align with industry regulations, and build clear systems for decision-making. They work at the intersection of security, operations, legal, and leadership, making sure the company isn’t exposed to unnecessary risk or breaking rules without knowing it.
What does a GRC analyst do? Here’s a typical scope of their responsibilities:
- Run risk assessments on departments, projects, vendors, or IT systems
- Translate complex regulatory requirements into plain-language policies
- Track compliance with standards like ISO 27001, NIST, SOC 2, or GDPR
- Work with cybersecurity teams to close security gaps
- Maintain audit-ready documentation
- Prepare reports for internal leadership or external regulators
In short, they’re the link between risk-aware decision-making and the teams executing those decisions. And if you’re leaning toward the cybersecurity side, the GRC security analyst or cybersecurity GRC analyst role may be the right niche for you.
Steps to Become a GRC Analyst
Governance, risk, and compliance roles are gaining momentum as businesses face growing regulatory pressure and digital risks. If you’re aiming for a career that blends strategy, security, and structure, becoming a GRC analyst is a smart place to start.
1. Understand the Core Concepts of GRC
Before anything else, you need to understand what you’re actually signing up for.
- Governance is how companies make decisions, set policies, and enforce rules.
- Risk refers to anything that can go wrong, cyberattacks, legal fines, reputational damage.
- Compliance is about staying aligned with laws, regulations, frameworks, or standards.
Each of these elements plays a role in the GRC field. Start learning the language now by exploring free resources on NIST.gov or ISACA’s website. Look up frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and SOC 2.
Understanding these concepts will help you speak confidently in interviews and prove you’re serious about the work.
2. Choose the Right Educational Background (or Leverage What You Have)
There’s no one-size-fits-all degree for becoming a GRC analyst, but certain academic backgrounds help you stand out.
Strong options include:
- A degree in Information Security or Cybersecurity is a strong choice if you want to work in tech-heavy industries where understanding digital threats and controls is essential.
- Business Administration is ideal for those focused on risk strategy, governance frameworks, and policy development across departments.
- Studying Law, Public Policy, or Political Science is especially helpful if you plan to work in compliance-heavy roles that deal with regulations and legal obligations.
- A background in Computer Science is useful in more technical environments, though it’s not mandatory to succeed in a GRC analyst role.
If you already hold a degree in something else, don’t worry. Many GRC professionals start in operations, project management, or even customer service. What matters more is how you apply that background and what steps you take to specialize.
3. Get Familiar With GRC Frameworks and Regulations
A big part of the GRC analyst job is applying industry frameworks to real-world business processes. That means you need to understand what these frameworks are and how they’re used.
Start with:
- ISO/IEC 27001 is the international standard for building, maintaining, and improving an information security management system.
- NIST SP 800-53 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) are widely used in U.S. cybersecurity programs and are essential for organizations working with government contracts.
- COBIT is a framework that focuses on IT governance and management, helping businesses align IT goals with business strategy.
- COSO ERM provides an enterprise risk management model commonly used in finance to identify, assess, and respond to business risks.
- PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR are compliance standards and laws specific to payment systems, healthcare data protection, and consumer privacy, respectively.
Even a basic familiarity with two or three frameworks gives you a strong edge when applying for junior roles.
4. Learn the Tools GRC Analysts Use Every Day
Modern GRC work isn’t done with just spreadsheets anymore. Most companies use specialized software platforms to track risks, compliance obligations, and internal controls.
Here are tools commonly used by GRC professionals:
- RSA Archer is an enterprise-grade GRC platform used for tracking risks, managing compliance, and generating detailed reporting across large organizations.
- ServiceNow GRC integrates logically with IT service management tools, making it a popular choice for tech-driven companies managing complex procedures.
- AuditBoard is built for auditors and internal control teams, refining audit processes and SOX compliance activities.
- OneTrust is often used to manage data privacy compliance, particularly with laws like GDPR and CCPA.
- LogicGate offers a flexible, no-code platform that allows teams to build custom GRC processes without needing technical expertise.
You don’t have to be an expert right away, but watching tutorials, requesting free demos, or reading user case studies gives you a head start in interviews.
5. Build Relevant Experience, Even if It’s Not in a GRC Role Yet
You don’t need to wait for the perfect “GRC analyst” job title to get started. You can build transferable experience by stepping into related tasks in your current job.
Look for chances to:
- Support or observe an internal or vendor audit
- Help update or create internal policies and procedures
- Join cybersecurity or compliance meetings
- Assist with regulatory or industry certification efforts
These hands-on experiences, even if small, give you talking points for your resume and interviews, and they show initiative.
6. Pick an Industry and Focus Your Learning
GRC is used in every sector, but each industry has different rules and risk areas. Choosing a focus helps you tailor your experience and stand out.
Here’s how GRC changes across sectors:
- Healthcare organizations rely on GRC analysts to ensure HIPAA compliance and protect sensitive patient data from breaches and misuse.
- Finance and Banking industries are heavily audited and require strict adherence to regulations like SOX, GLBA, and FFIEC standards to manage financial and operational risks.
- Technology and SaaS companies face challenges like third-party vendor risks, cloud security concerns, and GDPR compliance, making GRC oversight critical.
- Government Contracts involve strict requirements such as NIST SP 800-171 and FedRAMP, requiring GRC analysts to manage cybersecurity and regulatory obligations carefully.
If you already work in one of these sectors, it’s often easiest to grow into a GRC role internally.
7. Earn a GRC Analyst Certification
Certifications aren’t a silver bullet, but they show employers that you’re serious and trained.
Consider starting with:
- CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control) is a strong certification for IT risk professionals who want to focus on identifying and managing technology-related business risks.
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) is centered on auditing, control, and assurance, making it ideal for those involved in reviewing internal systems and compliance.
- CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) blends technical understanding with governance responsibilities, helping professionals manage and design security programs at a strategic level.
- GRCP (Governance, Risk, and Compliance Professional) is aimed at those pursuing general GRC roles and provides a well-rounded foundation in the principles of governance, risk, and compliance.
Each certification helps you understand the field better while giving your resume a serious boost.
8. Work on Communication and Documentation Skills
A GRC analyst doesn’t just assess risk, they explain it to people who aren’t experts.
To succeed, you’ll need to:
- Write policies, reports, and audit documentation clearly and concisely.
- Present risk findings to executives or clients without jargon.
- Translate compliance requirements into practical instructions for teams.
If you’ve ever had to train others, document measures, or summarize complicated topics, you already have the foundation. Now refine it with GRC-specific context.
9. Start Applying for Entry-Level or Junior GRC Roles
When you’re ready to make the move, don’t just look for “GRC analyst” titles. These roles often appear under different names, such as:
- Risk Analyst
- Compliance Associate
- IT Governance Support
- Cybersecurity Analyst (with a GRC focus)
These jobs give you a foot in the door. Focus on companies that are actively building out GRC programs or that operate in regulated sectors like finance, healthcare, or tech.
10. Customize Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile for GRC
Don’t just copy and paste your job history. Highlight tasks and experiences related to risk, compliance, documentation, process improvement, or policy.
Mention frameworks and tools you’ve worked with, and include a short summary about your career goals aligned with governance or compliance.
11. Stay Informed About Industry Trends and Regulation Changes
The GRC field is constantly evolving. New privacy laws, security frameworks, and business threats emerge every year. If you want to stay relevant and grow in your role, follow GRC trends closely.
You can subscribe to:
- ISACA SmartBrief
- Dark Reading (for security updates)
- CPO Magazine (privacy and compliance)
- The Hacker News
- NIST and ISO updates
Knowledge here isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.
12. Keep Growing: From Analyst to Strategist
Once you’ve landed your first role, there are many directions to grow:
- Become a Senior GRC Analyst leading internal projects
- Move into GRC consulting and help multiple clients build frameworks
- Become a Compliance Manager or Risk Officer
- Shift into Cybersecurity governance, supporting secure architecture and controls
- Long-term, aim for a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) role
The GRC path is versatile. Whether you like policy, tech, strategy, or communication, there’s a way to tailor it to your strengths.
A Role That Shapes Outcomes, Even When No One’s Looking
Breaking into the GRC world takes more than just memorizing frameworks or ticking off certifications; it requires the ability to connect the dots across people, systems, and risks. You’ll need to think like a strategist, operate with a technician’s precision, and communicate in a way that brings clarity to complexity.
It’s a role where your influence often happens behind the scenes: when things go wrong, people ask where the warning was; when things go right, they rarely realize you helped prevent a crisis. That’s the quiet power of GRC. If you’re drawn to work that protects, guides, and strengthens an organization from within, this path isn’t just worth pursuing, it’s built for someone like you.