GRC is becoming a central priority in cybersecurity as AI expands, creating widespread governance, regulatory, data protection and compliance needs across the entire organization.

Industry experts expect demand for GRC roles to keep rising as organizations deploy AI and other technologies, translating technical risk into business risk and ensuring structured oversight.

GRC work now spans legal, finance, HR and executive leadership, and is increasingly embedded in board discussions, with focus on data protection, AI disclosure rules, and international directives like NIS2, DORA and PCI 4.0.

Core certifications to enter or advance in GRC include CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CISA, CCSP/CCSK, CIPP, plus GRC-specific credentials such as GRCP, GRCA, CCEP and CGRC, with practical experience remaining crucial.

GRC career opportunities are growing for security professionals who blend technical skills with business risk assessment and regulatory knowledge, and salaries in GRC roles are rising, often ranging from about $118,000 to $180,000, with data privacy officer roles at the higher end.

AI introduces new governance requirements around model risk, data handling, prompt injection, bias, explainability and regulatory compliance, necessitating oversight at both technical and board levels.