Sneak Peek: OCEG's 2025 GRC Maturity Survey Reveals the Game-Changing Power of GRC Strategy

Key Takeaways

• GRC Strategy as a Key Differentiator: Organizations with a defined GRC strategy report higher confidence in their GRC capabilities, with nearly two-thirds being "very confident" compared to just one-third without a strategy.
• Strategy Drives GRC Maturity: Strategy is not just correlated with GRC maturity—it appears to be the catalyst driving the maturity of the entire GRC ecosystem, influencing areas such as assessments and management committees.
• Key Elements of Effective GRC Strategies: A well-defined GRC strategy typically addresses clear alignment with organizational objectives, prioritization frameworks, governance structures, integration approaches, and measurement methodologies.
• The 50/50 Divide: Nearly half of organizations have a formal GRC strategy, highlighting both a significant maturity gap and an opportunity for improvement in those organizations that haven’t adopted one yet.
• Join OCEG’s Webinar for More Insights: Register for the May 29th webinar to gain further insights on the current state of GRC maturity and strategies for improving GRC capabilities in your organization.

Deep Dive

GRC Report has been granted an exclusive first look at OCEG’s comprehensive 2025 GRC Maturity Survey, and one key finding stands out with striking clarity: having a well-defined GRC strategy is the single most powerful differentiator in organizational GRC maturity.

The survey reveals that organizations with a formal strategy are far more likely to exhibit higher confidence and maturity in their GRC processes, signaling a major shift in how governance, risk, and compliance are approached at the organizational level. This finding underscores a critical truth: an intentional, cohesive strategy is essential for aligning GRC efforts with broader business objectives and creating a resilient risk management framework that supports long-term success.

The Strategy Confidence Gap

The numbers tell a compelling story. Organizations with a formal GRC strategy report significantly higher confidence across all GRC dimensions compared to those without:

• Organizations with a defined strategy: Nearly two-thirds report being "very confident" in their GRC capabilities
• Organizations without a defined strategy: Only about one-third report being "very confident"

This confidence gap goes beyond statistics and reflects a fundamental shift in how organizations leverage their GRC capabilities, demonstrating the crucial role of a well-defined strategy in fostering organizational resilience. This strategic alignment fosters greater collaboration across departments, drives more effective decision-making, and enhances the organization’s ability to navigate complex regulatory environments.

As a result, a clear GRC strategy doesn’t just enhance confidence but underpins organizational resilience, enabling companies to adapt to changing market conditions, mitigate risks more effectively, and seize opportunities with greater agility. In today’s fast-evolving risk landscape, having this level of strategic clarity is critical to maintaining a competitive edge and safeguarding the organization’s long-term success.

Beyond Correlation: Strategy Drives Everything

What makes this finding particularly impactful is that strategy appears to drive other critical GRC elements:

• Regular assessments: 37% of organizations with a strategy conduct regular assessments, compared to just 3% of those without one
• Management committees: 84% of organizations with a strategy have established management-level GRC committees, versus only 41% of organizations without a strategy

“These dramatic differences suggest that strategy isn’t just correlated with GRC maturity—it appears to be the catalyst that drives the maturity of the entire GRC ecosystem,” says Carole Switzer, Co-Founder of OCEG.

It’s clear that a strategy serves as the cornerstone for establishing structured, proactive processes, like regular assessments and dedicated management committees, that drive organizational maturity. Without this foundational strategy, these critical GRC elements often remain fragmented or reactive, making it harder for organizations to address emerging risks in a timely and coordinated manner.

By fostering a strategic approach, organizations not only enhance their ability to assess risks and enforce governance but also empower their leadership to oversee GRC efforts with a unified, purpose-driven focus. This level of integration is key to cultivating a resilient and forward-thinking GRC ecosystem.

What Effective GRC Strategies Address

The survey, conducted by OCEG with sponsorship from SAI360, reveals that effective GRC strategies typically address several critical elements:

1. Clear alignment with organizational objectives: GRC activities are directly connected to business strategy and goals.
2. Prioritization framework: Establishing criteria for where to focus limited GRC resources.
3. Governance structure: Defining how GRC activities are overseen and coordinated.
4. Integration approach: Specifying how GRC functions work together, rather than in silos.
5. Measurement methodology: Establishing how GRC effectiveness will be evaluated.

“Organizations often struggle with fragmented, reactive approaches to governance, risk, and compliance,” explains Jimmy Lin, Chief Product Officer at SAI360. “A well-crafted GRC strategy provides the framework that connects these elements into a coherent system.”

This level of strategic coordination ensures that GRC functions work together seamlessly, driving consistency and resilience across the enterprise. It’s this integrated approach that ultimately positions organizations to navigate the complexities of today’s regulatory and risk environments with greater agility and confidence.

The 50/50 Divide

Perhaps most intriguing is the finding that organizations are nearly evenly split on strategy adoption—49% have a formal GRC strategy, while 51% do not. This represents both a significant maturity gap and a tremendous opportunity for improvement.

“We’re seeing a clear dividing line in GRC effectiveness,” Switzer observes. “Organizations that have crossed the strategy threshold demonstrate substantially different capabilities than those that haven’t yet made this transition.”

The gap in GRC effectiveness is not just a reflection of maturity—it’s a clear indication of the competitive advantages that come with a well-defined strategy. Organizations that have embraced this strategic approach have the ability to move beyond reactive measures and develop more comprehensive, proactive GRC systems.

For those that have not yet taken this step, the opportunity to close this gap is critical. By developing and implementing a formal GRC strategy, organizations can unlock new efficiencies, strengthen risk management capabilities, and improve overall compliance maturity. This divide presents an invitation to bridge the gap and secure a stronger, more resilient GRC framework.

Get the Full Insights

This is just one of many intriguing findings from OCEG’s 2025 GRC Maturity Survey. To access the full preliminary findings and understand how to develop an effective GRC strategy for your organization, register now for OCEG’s exclusive webinar taking place on May 29th, featuring GRC experts from OCEG and SAI360.

The webinar will offer practical insights to help you:

• Understand the current state of GRC maturity across industries and regions, including assessment adoption rates and methods, integration levels, and confidence patterns that benchmark your organization’s performance relative to peers.
• Identify the top barriers to GRC maturity advancement and discover proven approaches for building compelling business cases that secure leadership support and necessary resources.
• Apply insights to develop targeted strategies that align GRC initiatives with your organization’s specific context, size, and regulatory environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights that could transform your organization’s approach to governance, risk, and compliance. Reserve your spot today!

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