Aligning Security Operations (SecOps) with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) has become a critical challenge for many organisations. As the number of cyber threats increases and regulatory requirements become more stringent, the need for a holistic, integrated approach to cybersecurity has never been more urgent.
However, many organisations continue to treat SecOps and GRC as separate functions, leading to inefficiencies, communication breakdowns and security gaps. To enhance security posture and risk management, it is crucial for organisations to align these two functions more effectively.
One of the primary objectives of any organisation’s GRC strategy is to ensure comprehensive and robust cybersecurity. Cyberattacks can compromise regulatory compliance, affect financial stability, damage reputation and hinder operational efficiency. Yet, despite the critical role of GRC in mitigating these risks, many organisations fail to integrate it seamlessly with SecOps. The result is often a disjointed approach to security that leaves organisations vulnerable.
Bridging the organisational gap
A major factor contributing to this gap is the organisational structure. In many cases, SecOps and GRC are treated as separate silos within the same company. While both functions may report to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), they often operate with distinct teams, tools and processes. This lack of integration can lead to operational inefficiencies, duplicate work, and, most importantly, security blind spots. Without a unified approach, organisations may struggle to respond to cyber threats quickly or ensure compliance with ever-evolving regulations.
One of the key challenges posed by this separation is a misalignment of priorities.
GRC teams are typically focused on defining strategies and policies that align with regulatory requirements, corporate objectives, and risk management frameworks. Their work often involves developing long-term security strategies and ensuring the organisation complies with relevant laws and standards.
On the other hand, SecOps teams are more focused on the day-to-day implementation of these policies. They deal with immediate threats, respond to incidents, and ensure that the technical security controls are in place and functioning. Without collaboration and communication between these teams, the strategic goals set by GRC may not be fully realised at the operational level, leading to gaps in security coverage.
Compliance missteps and misalignment
One significant result of this disconnect is the potential for security incidents to occur due to compliance missteps. Misalignment can lead to misunderstandings about the role and importance of compliance in the broader security strategy.
For example, SecOps may not fully grasp the implications of regulatory requirements, while GRC teams may lack a clear understanding of the practical challenges involved in implementing technical security measures. This lack of clarity can result in non-compliance with laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or other industry-specific regulations, leading to hefty fines and reputational damage.
To address these issues, organisations must foster closer collaboration between SecOps and GRC. One way to achieve this is through regular, transparent communication between the two teams. By sharing insights and feedback on emerging threats, regulatory changes and internal security gaps, both functions can better understand how their work contributes to the organisation’s overall security posture. For example, GRC teams can provide SecOps with a clearer understanding of the potential risks posed by non-compliance, while SecOps can offer real-time data on vulnerabilities and incidents, allowing GRC to adjust policies and strategies accordingly.
Standardise your tech platforms
Another critical step towards alignment is ensuring that both teams are using compatible tools and platforms. In many organisations, GRC teams rely on documents, spreadsheets and enterprise governance, risk, and compliance (eGRC) platforms to manage compliance tasks.
However, SecOps teams often work with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platforms, and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) solutions to detect and respond to threats.
This disparity in tools can create additional barriers to collaboration and data sharing. By standardising technology platforms or adopting tools that enable cross-functional collaboration, organisations can break down these silos and create a more cohesive security framework.
Use an MSSP to bridge the skills gap
The cybersecurity skills gap also exacerbates the challenges of aligning SecOps and GRC. Both teams often struggle with understaffing and the increasing complexity of cybersecurity tasks. According to research from the Enterprise Strategy Group, 46% of cybersecurity professionals report feeling understaffed, and 81% believe their jobs have become harder in the past two years. This strain on resources can make it even harder for organisations to align their SecOps and GRC efforts effectively.
To address this issue, many companies are turning to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) to supplement their internal capabilities and bridge the gap between SecOps and GRC. An experienced MSSP can bring an outside perspective, facilitate communication between teams. They can play a pivotal role in ensuring organisations implement security measures to best meet both operational and compliance requirements.
Another approach to improving SecOps/GRC alignment is by leveraging integrated cybersecurity platforms that centralise data and enable real-time collaboration. For example, Obrela’s SWORDFISH platform provides a unified solution for managing both SecOps and GRC functions. By consolidating security-related data into a single “data lake,” SWORDFISH enables real-time analytics and coordinated responses to threats. This centralised approach helps eliminate silos between the teams and ensures that both sides are working with the same data, improving decision-making and response times. Platforms like these can act as an “ERP” for cybersecurity, providing a comprehensive view of risk and operations and allowing teams to prioritise efforts based on a common understanding of the organisation’s most critical assets.
Break down silos
Aligning SecOps with GRC is essential for improving an organisation’s overall security posture and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. While the challenges of achieving this alignment are significant, they can be addressed through better communication, standardised tools and a stronger commitment to collaboration. By breaking down silos between functions and fostering a more integrated approach to security, organisations can improve both their operational efficiency and ability to manage risks.
Obrela’s SWORDFISH platform helps organisations manage risk and maintain clean security hygiene across the organisation, while efficiently managing detection and response. The SWORDFISH platform, combined with Obrela’s security advisory services, is designed to help organisations identify risk and determine its potential impact, helping them plot proper responses to improve their GRC maturity and overall security posture.
This article contains information gleaned from an Obrela White Paper, available for free download here.
- Cybersecurity
