What is Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)?
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) refers to an integrated framework used by organizations to align security and operational policies with business objectives, manage risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards. GRC unifies processes such as policy enforcement, risk assessment, internal controls, audit management, and regulatory reporting to support transparency, accountability, and resilience across the enterprise.
Why is Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Important?
As cybersecurity and privacy regulations grow more complex, organizations must ensure that access controls, operational practices, and security policies are not only in place but also continuously monitored, enforced, and auditable. A GRC framework helps organizations streamline this by:
- Aligning IT and OT governance with regulatory mandates such as NERC CIP, IEC 62443, TSA SD02E, and NIS2.
- Identifying and mitigating operational, cybersecurity, and compliance risks.
- Enabling real-time oversight and reporting for auditors, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
GRC is especially critical in critical infrastructure sectors, where compliance is not just a legal obligation, but also essential to operational continuity and safety. An effective GRC strategy provides organizations with the visibility, documentation, and accountability required to respond to evolving threats and changing regulatory landscapes.
How Does Xona Help with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)?
Xona supports GRC programs by enforcing secure, policy-based access controls that align with governance requirements, reduce operational risk, and support compliance with multiple regulatory frameworks. The Xona Platform logs all access activity, enforces least privilege, and provides real-time session visibility, enabling organizations to demonstrate control over privileged access and remote connections.
Audit logs and session recordings are exportable for integration with GRC platforms, SIEM tools, or compliance dashboards, making it easier to produce evidence for access reviews, incident response, and regulatory audits. Xona’s controls map directly to technical access-related requirements found in IEC 62443, NERC CIP, and other GRC-relevant standards, helping security teams reduce audit fatigue while improving control assurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frameworks are commonly addressed by GRC programs in critical infrastructure?
Common GRC-aligned frameworks include NERC CIP, IEC 62443, TSA SD02E, NIS2, and NIST 800-53, which require robust controls over identity, access, monitoring, and auditability.
