Part 8: When to Partner: How External Experts and Services Support GRC Success

In the previous installment of this series, we explored how technology enables the operational side of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). However, even with the best tools and a dedicated in-house team, many organizations find that executing GRC at scale requires external support.

Whether meeting audit deadlines, navigating complex regulations, performing deep technical risk assessments, or building your first GRC framework from the ground up, external partners can offer essential expertise, objectivity, and operational capacity. The challenge lies in determining the appropriate timing for their involvement, selecting the most suitable individuals, and establishing a relationship that will deliver long-term value.

This post will examine the GRC services landscape, which includes consultants, auditors, managed services providers, and outsourced compliance teams. We will discuss the most effective methods for integrating these services into your cybersecurity program.

Before we dive in, if you’re looking for real data on cybersecurity trends, key vendors, and market direction, explore our Cybersecurity Intelligence Page. You’ll find free reports and insights to help you make confident decisions.

Why GRC Cannot (and Should Not) Be Done Alone

No organization exists in isolation. In today’s business world, cybersecurity is closely linked to legal, regulatory, and operational considerations that are constantly changing, vary by jurisdiction, and require a multidisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing threats. Staying on top of it all is a challenge, especially for mid-sized firms or companies expanding internationally, entering new markets, or undergoing digital transformation.

Even large, mature enterprises turn to external partners for specialized tasks such as ISO 27001 certification, PCI DSS audits, or third-party risk assessments. In many cases, the issue is not a lack of skill but rather an issue with capacity, credibility, and speed.

The GRC Services Ecosystem: Who Does What

Let’s break down the main categories of GRC-related service providers and what they typically offer:

1. GRC and Cybersecurity Consulting Firms

These providers help design, assess, or optimize your GRC strategy and framework. They offer:

• Risk assessments and maturity gap analyses
• Design and rollout of governance structures and policies
• Regulatory mapping (e.g. GDPR, NIS2, DORA, HIPAA, etc.)
• Business continuity and crisis planning
• Framework alignment (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST CSF, COBIT)

Best for: Organizations building GRC from scratch, undergoing mergers or acquisitions, or navigating new regulatory requirements.

2. External Auditors and Certification Bodies

These accredited third parties assess compliance against specific standards and issue certifications. Examples include:

• ISO/IEC 27001 or 27701 certification audits
• SOC 2 Type I / II audits
• PCI DSS formal assessments
• Internal audit outsourcing

Best for: Formal compliance programs where regulatory or customer demands require independent assurance.

3. Managed GRC Service Providers (MGRC)

This emerging category blends consulting with ongoing operational support. Services include:

• Policy lifecycle management
• Automated risk and control monitoring
• Vendor risk management and third-party due diligence
• Audit preparation and evidence collection
• Reporting dashboards and board-level communication

Best for: Companies that want ongoing GRC management without building a large internal team.

4. Legal and Regulatory Advisors

Especially useful when laws evolve rapidly, legal experts interpret how national and regional regulations apply to your specific business model and risk posture.

• Legal interpretations of NIS2, DORA, GDPR, etc.
• Contractual risk assessments (data processing agreements, SLAs)
• Regulatory breach reporting and disclosure strategies

Best for: Cross-border operations, sectors with emerging legal obligations, or companies facing regulatory scrutiny.

5. Penetration Testers and Red Teams

While technically not “GRC” providers, these teams support risk validation and help confirm whether documented controls work.

• Technical risk validation to complement risk registers
• Support for board-level risk reviews or compliance tests
• Attack simulations to test response plans and governance effectiveness

Best for: Bridging the gap between theoretical GRC controls and real-world security effectiveness.

When to Bring in External Support

Engaging external GRC partners doesn’t mean giving up control but enhancing capability. Consider outside support when:

• You’re preparing for your first formal audit or certification
• Internal GRC functions are under-resourced or overextended
• You’re expanding into regulated sectors or new markets
• Regulatory requirements exceed internal expertise
• You need third-party credibility to assure customers or investors
• Your board or regulators are demanding greater visibility or independence

What to Look For in a GRC Service Partner

Not all providers are created equal. The right partner should:

• Understand your industry: Sector-specific knowledge makes a huge difference in relevance and speed
• Translate frameworks into action: Look for practical experience, not just theory
• Be technology-aware: They should know your GRC tools or help you select the right ones
• Provide structured methodologies: Clear deliverables, timelines, and roles are critical
• Balance independence with collaboration: You want a partner who can challenge assumptions, not just agree
• Demonstrate regulatory and audit experience: Especially important for external assurance or certification

Request references, case studies, or sample deliverables before committing. A great partner adds structure, credibility, and momentum, while a weak one increases dependency and creates confusion.

How to Structure the Relationship

Whether you’re outsourcing a single assessment or building a long-term partnership, set clear expectations from day one:

• Define scope, deliverables, and timelines
• Clarify data access, roles, and confidentiality
• Include regular check-ins and progress reviews
• Set clear success criteria tied to business outcomes (e.g., readiness score, audit results, time-to-certification)
• Document handover plans for when internal capabilities grow

Where possible, assign an internal GRC lead as liaison. This ensures ownership stays with the business, even when execution is supported externally.

The Hybrid Model: Combining Internal and External Strengths

Most successful organizations adopt a hybrid GRC model, maintaining in-house governance and accountability while supplementing execution with external expertise. This allows for agility, focus, and scalability, especially in fast-changing environments or heavily regulated industries.

The key to success is integration: external partners should work seamlessly with internal teams, systems, and reporting channels. A GRC partner is not merely a vendor but an extension of your trust infrastructure.

What’s Next

In the final part of our series, we will look ahead. The landscape of cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, geopolitical shifts, and increasingly complex regulations. In Part 9, we will explore the future of GRC, the trends reshaping the field, and the actions forward-looking organizations can take today to stay ahead of the curve.

In cybersecurity, remaining static is considered the most significant risk.