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What is governance, risk, and compliance?

4 minute read

Melissa Underwood

June 10th, 2025

What is governance, risk, and compliance?

4 minute read

Melissa Underwood

June 10th, 2025

Understanding GRC is essential for modern organisations. It brings structure and ensures your organisation stays responsible and secure while getting the most out of your tech. But what is governance, risk, and compliance? Find out everything you need to know. 

What is governance?

GRC is the foundation of every well-run organisation. It refers to the systems, rules, and processes that guide decision-making.

Good GRC means decisions are transparent, actions align with values, and the organisation can adapt as needed.

  • Governance ensures here’s a clear path for resolving issues effectively
  • Risk management involves identifying potential issues before they become problems. From cyber threats to financial fraud or supply chain disruption, managing risk is about being proactive and prepared
  • Compliance ensures your organisation follows all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. Whether it’s GDPR, ISO standards, or sector-specific legislation, compliance builds trust and reduces the chance of costly penalties

The role of GRC software in modern organisations

Traditionally, governance, risk, and compliance efforts were managed in spreadsheets or across disconnected systems. This made it difficult to get a complete picture, spot issues early, or respond quickly to change. 

Modern GRC software changes that. It centralises policies, automates risk assessments, and simplifies compliance tracking. This gives organisations a real-time view of their posture. 

We help organisations implement smart GRC solutions tailored to their needs. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to modernise your existing approach, our tools and expertise can help you build a connected, efficient GRC framework that works. 

Why GRC is critical to long-term success 

GRC isn’t about box-ticking or bureaucracy. It’s about empowering your organisation to move forward with clarity and control. When governance is strong, risks are managed, and compliance is built into the way people work, your teams can focus on innovation and growth, without fear of costly mistakes or surprises. 

This is especially important in a world where new threats and regulations emerge constantly. A flexible, well-integrated GRC strategy helps you stay ahead, act quickly, and build resilience. 

GRC services: what are they and what can they do for your organisation? 

Cyber Security Assessments 

Understanding their current security posture allows them to identify risks, and see the remediations required to improve the cyber security posture.  

Perfect for: IT leaders needing a clear picture of their current risk and compliance position. 

 

Information Security Strategy 

Collaborative sessions to assess the security posture against well respected frameworks, and create a strategy around cyber security that the organisation can take forward.

Great for: Organisations starting to formalise their GRC approach. 

 

Policy and Process Development  

Creation or enhancement of key governance documents, security policies, and risk processes.

Useful for: Organisations lacking in-house expertise to build compliant frameworks. 

 

Toolset Implementation  

Advice and support to select and implement GRC software suited to your needs.

Ideal for: Organisations looking to streamline manual risk tracking and policy management. 

 

Compliance frameworks and certifications 

Continued help as your organisation grows or faces changing compliance requirements.

Valuable for: Public sector teams maintaining NCSC CAF, CIS Security Controls, Cyber Essentials, or ISO 27001 compliance. 

 

AI Governance 

Support, guidance, and creation of AI policies to strategize effective and ethical AI use. 

Ready to focus on GRC in your organisation? Our specialists are here to help you every step of the way. Get in touch to find out more.  

Get in touch
Image of a smiling IT support professional talking on a headset
Headshot of Melissa Underwood

About the author

Melissa joined Phoenix in 2021 to advise our customers on all aspects of cyber security, from technology and security solutions to services around governance, risk, and compliance.

She has experience working with some of the leading security suppliers on the market for challenges including identity security, SOC operations, and incident response and how these areas assist in the journey to reducing risk exposure and improving incident preparedness.