2025 GRC Challenges & Priorities Survey Results Full Report

Introduction

Imagine with us a room filled with experienced GRC professionals—people who, day in and day out, face a whirlwind of regulatory changes, operational hurdles, and emerging risks. Their faces, etched with both determination and wisdom, tell stories of challenges met and lessons learned.

Their insights paint a picture of an industry in flux—one where the only constant is change—but also one that has been steadily innovating and adapting over the years. Every shared experience and strategy reflect a commitment not just to survive in a dynamic landscape but to thrive by turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Our recent survey reached over 100 dedicated and experienced professionals from across the GRC spectrum. Ranging from compliance and risk management to cyber risk and integrated GRC, these individuals are the ones on the front lines, and their insights remind us that behind every percentage is not just statistic but a true human story, a tale of vigilance, collaboration, and the unyielding drive to create a resilient, compliant, and better future.

Critical Priorities and Trends

Key Priorities for 2025

●  48% see Cybersecurity as a major concern

●  47% view AI as both an opportunity and a challenge

●  46% prioritize Operational Resilience

●  45% stress the need to strengthen Enterprise Risk Management

AI in GRC 

●  43% are actively evaluating AI solutions

●  35% are considering AI’s future potential

●  14% have already integrated AI into their GRC frameworks

Regulatory Compliance Remains a Challenge

●  52% say maintaining compliance with evolving regulations is their core priority

●  51% find navigating regulatory changes to be one of their top challenges

Strategic Considerations for the Future

●  42% believe breaking down organizational silos is critical for integration

●  36% are exploring AI’s role in risk management

● 35% see Third-Party Risk Management as a challenge

About this Report

In December 2024 and January 2025, MetricStream and the GRC Report, a leading industry publication, partnered to field a survey of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) leaders, including Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Chief Risk Officers (CROs), risk and compliance managers, audit professionals, and more. Complete demographics are included at the end of the report.

 More than 100 leaders from around the globe participated, sharing their insights on current audit, risk, compliance, cyber, and AI challenges and opportunities. They answered a collection of predefined questions, while also sharing their own personal perspectives.

We invite you to use the report that follows to benchmark your own efforts as well as gather insights from your GRC peers around the world.