What I discovered changed everything for me. There’s an entire side of cybersecurity that needs business-minded professionals, not technical experts. Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) roles need the skills many career changers already have, such as stakeholder management, policy development, risk assessment and business communication. My journey from recruitment consultant to GRC professional proves that with the right strategy, persistence and understanding of where your existing skills fit, breaking into cybersecurity without a technical degree isn’t only possible. It’s exactly what the industry needs. (See also: How to make a late career switch to cybersecurity.)
Why GRC is the perfect entry point for career changers
Think of cybersecurity as a house. While penetration testers and security engineers focus on building stronger locks and alarm systems, GRC professionals ensure the house has strong foundations, insurance policies and meets all building regulations.
GRC stands for governance, risk and compliance — three interconnected disciplines that form the business backbone of any cybersecurity program. Governance involves creating and maintaining the policies, procedures and frameworks that guide an organisation’s security decisions. Risk management focuses on identifying potential threats, assessing their likelihood and impact, then developing strategies to mitigate or accept those risks. Compliance ensures the organisation meets all relevant legal, regulatory and industry requirements, from GDPR privacy rules to industry-specific standards like HIPAA for healthcare.
