The Ultimate Guide For Starting A Cybersecurity GRC Career In 2025
How To Land That GRC Job Even Without Technical Experience
Let me tell you about a person I recently interacted with .. let’s call him Adam
Adam worked in accounting for seven years and wanted to transition into cybersecurity as he felt he had better career prospects in it.
The problem ?
Every job description he came across demanded technical expertise like coding, configuring firewalls, or ethical hacking — skills he didn’t have.
He was pretty discouraged and wondering if Cybersecurity was even a possibility for someone like him
This is when I mentioned looking at a career in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC).
The reason being that GRC roles do not require deep technical skills
Instead these roles focus on helping organizations manage cybersecurity risks, align strategies with business goals, and ensure compliance with regulations.
With his background in auditing and understanding of business processes, Adam saw how his existing skills could translate into a successful GRC career.
I created a sample guide for Adam for how he could practically go around learning GRC and optimizing his profile for such jobs
This guide is designed to help individuals like Adam — and perhaps you — who want to break into cybersecurity but feel held back by the technical barriers.
Whether you’re coming from fields like accounting, healthcare, or project management, this article will show you why GRC might be the perfect path for you and provide actionable steps to help you land your first GRC role.
Let’s get started !
Firstly What is GRC, and What Makes It Appealing?
Think of GRC professionals as the translators of cybersecurity between technical teams and regulators / stakeholders.
They identify risks, design controls to mitigate those risks, and ensure that the organization complies with cybersecurity standards and regulations.
GRC is appealing for several reasons:
Accessibility: It doesn’t require deep technical knowledge or coding skills, making it easier for non-technical professionals to break into cybersecurity.
High Demand: Organizations across all industries need GRC professionals to manage cybersecurity risks and navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
Career Progression: GRC roles offer clear pathways to senior positions such as security consulting, management, or even security architecture.
Work-Life Balance: Unlike technical roles, GRC professionals typically avoid shift work, after-hours calls, and weekend duties. No 24/7 Incident Response Shifts thankfully !
If you’re a non-technical person looking to enter cybersecurity, GRC offers the perfect combination of accessibility and opportunity.
The Mistake People Make To Enter GRC
Most cybersecurity professionals often try to enter GRC through technical certifications or roles.
They:
Pursue Certifications Like The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): These focus on technical skills that are not always required for GRC roles. Technical certifications don’t prepare learners for the strategic and business-focused aspects of GRC.
Attempt Technical Cybersecurity Jobs: This leads to frustration and burnout when they lack the foundational technical expertise.
Start Self-Study Without having A Clear Plan: Many resources fail to address the specific skills and scenarios relevant to GRC. Thus people starting out lack guidance on how to tailor their learning and career-building efforts to the unique demands of GRC.
The Right Way To Enter GRC
Breaking into GRC requires a structured, practical approach that emphasizes real-world application and industry standards.
Here’s how you can address the challenges differently:
1 — Learn the Core Standards and Frameworks
At the heart of GRC are the standards and frameworks that guide compliance and risk management efforts.
To be successful, you must familiarize yourself with:
ISO 27001: A global standard for information security management systems.
PCI DSS: Essential for organizations handling payment card data.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Provides a flexible, risk-based approach to managing cybersecurity.
NIS2 Directive: Critical for organizations operating in the EU, focusing on supply chain and incident management.
Understanding these frameworks allows you to align cybersecurity strategies with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
2 — Leverage Case Studies
Dive into case studies to learn how organizations implement these standards in real-world scenarios.
For example, analyze how a company achieves PCI DSS compliance for payment security or conducts a risk assessment using ISO 27001.
Case studies offer a practical perspective that theoretical training often misses.
Studying these examples will help you apply concepts during interviews and on the job.
3. Get the Right Certifications
Now with a good foundation .. you can think about certs
Certifications validate your knowledge and signal to employers that you’re serious about GRC.
Begin with beginner-friendly certifications and progress to advanced ones depending on where you are in your areer:
Entry-Level Certifications: CompTIA Security+, ISC² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC).
Intermediate Certifications: ISACA CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control), ISO 27001 Lead Implementer.
Advanced Certifications: CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), CISSP (with GRC domain focus).
Remember, certifications alone aren’t enough.
Pair them with practical experience and the ability to apply the knowledge they provide.
4 — Work on your Communication Skills
Do not ignore this step !
One of the most critical skills in GRC is the ability to explain complex cybersecurity concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
You’ll need to:
Translate technical risks into business impacts.
Communicate findings and solutions effectively to executives and board members.
Ensure your messaging resonates with both technical teams and decision-makers.
Strong communication skills can set you apart and make you a trusted advisor in your organization.
5 — Build Practical Experience
Experience is often the biggest hurdle for GRC beginners.
Here’s how to build it strategically — even without a formal job.
Start by volunteering your GRC skills to nonprofits, small businesses, or community organizations that may lack the resources for a formal GRC program.
Reach out to them on LinkedIn and offer the following:
Conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment.
Draft a compliance roadmap based on ISO 27001.
Evaluate third-party risks for a small business.
This approach allows you to:
Gain practical, real-world experience.
Build a portfolio of projects you can showcase in interviews.
Obtain testimonials and references to validate your work.
In parallel, create a comprehensive GRC program for an imaginary organization. Include:
A cybersecurity maturity assessment.
Identification of compliance and risk gaps.
Proposed solutions aligned with business objectives.
This project can demonstrate your understanding of GRC concepts during job applications or interviews.
5 — Contribute to the Industry
Once you’ve acquired some skills and experience, it’s time to establish your credibility:
Publish Articles: Write about GRC topics for ISACA Journal, LinkedIn, or industry blogs. Discuss your insights on standards like PCI DSS 4.0, ISO 27001, or emerging trends like NIS2.
Engage on Social Media: Share your knowledge, participate in discussions, and connect with professionals in the GRC space.
Participate in Webinars and Panels: Speak at events or join discussions to showcase your expertise.
Common Interview Questions for GRC Jobs
Once you start applying for jobs .. prep yourself with the most common questions.
Here are some tips on how to answer them:
1 — What is the role of GRC in cybersecurity?
Focus on how GRC aligns cybersecurity with business objectives, ensures compliance, and manages risks.
2 — Can you explain the difference between ISO 27001 and PCI DSS?
Highlight ISO 27001 as a broad information security management standard and PCI DSS as a more specific standard for securing payment card data.
3 — How would you conduct a risk assessment?
Explain the steps: identifying assets, threats, vulnerabilities, and controls, followed by calculating risk based on likelihood and impact.
4 — What’s your experience with audits?
If you lack direct experience, draw from case studies or training projects to explain how you would prepare for and conduct an audit.
5 — How do you stay updated on regulatory changes?
Mention trusted sources like NIST updates, ISACA publications, or industry newsletters.
Key Happenings in the GRC World in 2025
Lastly, keep the following key developments in the GRC world in mind for 2025.
PCI DSS 4.0 Timelines: Organizations must fully transition to PCI DSS 4.0 by March 31, 2025. The new version emphasizes a risk-based approach to security, requiring organizations to adapt their compliance strategies.
NIS2 Directive Implementation: The EU’s NIS2 directive is reshaping how organizations in Europe manage cybersecurity risks, with stricter requirements for incident reporting and supply chain risk management.
NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF): With the rise of AI systems, NIST’s AI RMF is helping organizations identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with AI technologies.
Focus on ESG in GRC: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics are becoming integrated into GRC roles, requiring professionals to address new areas like carbon footprint reporting and social impact assessments.
Staying updated on these trends will not only help you remain relevant but also give you valuable insights to bring to interviews and on-the-job discussions.
That wraps it up. Good luck on your career in 2025
Check out my video below on this also !
GRC is highly underrated (okok, I might be biased on this ;-))