The importance of Cyber Governance, Risk & Compliance (Cyber GRC) is growing steadily in both the private and public sectors. With the rising number and increasing complexity of cyberattacks, organisations across all sectors face the challenge of sustainably strengthening their resilience to digital threats.

Whilst companies must, in particular, avoid financial losses, protect their reputation and meet regulatory requirements – such as those set out in the NIS 2 Implementation Act – the public sector is focusing on the protection of sensitive citizen data, the safeguarding of state-critical infrastructure and the maintenance of the state’s ability to act and make decisions. In both contexts, safeguarding digital sovereignty is becoming increasingly important from a strategic perspective.

A robust and integrated cyber GRC framework is crucial

Past security incidents clearly demonstrate that a robust and integrated cyber GRC framework is crucial for effectively preventing damage and mitigating its impact. Our methodology enables organisations to develop a holistic cyber strategy, establish sound governance models and systematically identify relevant risks in order to devise targeted and effective cybersecurity measures. This creates sustainable resilience against current and future threats, enabling organisations to respond proactively to new challenges whilst avoiding long-term costs arising from cyber incidents or regulatory sanctions.

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Cyber GRC – Maturity Assessment and Strategy Development

KPMG follows a multi-stage approach that combines strategic direction with operational implementation.

The Cyber GRC Framework requires a clearly defined strategy, based on a target operating model, aligned with an organisation’s business objectives or public sector responsibilities, and, optionally, certification.
The next step involves establishing governance structures, for example by introducing the three-lines model and RASCI, to clearly define roles and responsibilities. The threat landscape and company-specific requirements are taken into account from the outset.
Strategy development begins with a status quo analysis, which can typically be supported by strategy workshops and a Cyber Maturity Assessment (CMA). The CMA assesses the maturity of security processes, creates transparency and forms the basis for a targeted roadmap. The CMA can serve as a starting point for strategy development, but can also be used flexibly at any time – for example, prior to certification (e.g. ISO 27001) or for analysing the maturity of existing processes.
In addition, quantitative risk management, such as through Cyber Risk Quantification (CRQ), enables risks to be translated into concrete financial implications. With the help of KPMG’s internal Cyber Risk Insights (CRI) tool, organisations can prioritise investments specifically where they make the greatest contribution to risk reduction, safeguarding value creation or maintaining the state’s capacity to act.

The combination of CMA and CRQ results in a holistic, data-driven assessment of cyber maturity – including clearly prioritised measures based on a sound cost-benefit analysis – as the optimal preparation for potential certification.

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How Cyber GRC management works in practice

Once the strategy has been finalised, the focus shifts to operational implementation. Our experts support organisations with modular work packages covering every phase of a holistic cyber GRC framework – from embedding the framework within the organisation’s structure to ensuring sustainable operational capability.

ISMS as a key management tool

A key element of this is the implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS), which provides the foundation for robust security and compliance management in both corporate and government contexts.

At its core, an ISMS addresses the systematic identification, assessment and control of risks. Qualitative risk management approaches focus on assets requiring protection and enable a well-founded assessment of threats and vulnerabilities – whether in relation to business-critical processes, digital products or core government functions.

Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management

Cyber supply chain risk management (C-SCRM) is also becoming increasingly important. Given complex supply chains, outsourced IT services and interconnected ecosystems, cyber risks often arise outside one’s own organisation. Both businesses and public sector organisations benefit from clear governance structures, defined control mechanisms and transparent management to minimise risks arising from dependencies and ensure reliable compliance with regulatory requirements.

Learn more

Incident Management and Responsiveness

At the same time, there is an increasing focus on effective cyber security incident management. The ability to detect security incidents at an early stage, manage them in a structured manner and limit their impact is crucial – regardless of whether the risks involve financial loss, damage to reputation or disruption to critical government functions. This also includes complying with legal reporting obligations to regulatory and security authorities.

Reporting and Management (KPIs/KRIs)

Structured reporting is essential to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the measures implemented. Through the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), for example in the form of a CISO dashboard, decision-makers gain a holistic view of the maturity of their cyber GRC approach – providing a sound basis for strategic management, prioritisation and continuous improvement.

ISMS as a key management tool Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management Incident Management and Responsiveness Reporting and Management (KPIs/KRIs)

ISMS as a key management tool

A key element of this is the implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS), which provides the foundation for robust security and compliance management in both corporate and government contexts.

At its core, an ISMS addresses the systematic identification, assessment and control of risks. Qualitative risk management approaches focus on assets requiring protection and enable a well-founded assessment of threats and vulnerabilities – whether in relation to business-critical processes, digital products or core government functions.

Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management

Cyber supply chain risk management (C-SCRM) is also becoming increasingly important. Given complex supply chains, outsourced IT services and interconnected ecosystems, cyber risks often arise outside one’s own organisation. Both businesses and public sector organisations benefit from clear governance structures, defined control mechanisms and transparent management to minimise risks arising from dependencies and ensure reliable compliance with regulatory requirements.

Learn more

Incident Management and Responsiveness

At the same time, there is an increasing focus on effective cyber security incident management. The ability to detect security incidents at an early stage, manage them in a structured manner and limit their impact is crucial – regardless of whether the risks involve financial loss, damage to reputation or disruption to critical government functions. This also includes complying with legal reporting obligations to regulatory and security authorities.

Reporting and Management (KPIs/KRIs)

Structured reporting is essential to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the measures implemented. Through the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), for example in the form of a CISO dashboard, decision-makers gain a holistic view of the maturity of their cyber GRC approach – providing a sound basis for strategic management, prioritisation and continuous improvement.

Technological implementation and tools

The technical implementation takes place on leading platforms such as ServiceNow or Archer. Public sector organisations, on the other hand, prefer GRC tools that incorporate IT-Grundschutz requirements by default. It makes sense to implement tools that integrate seamlessly into the existing tool landscape via appropriate interfaces, for example to connect with ticketing, asset management or other systems. Following successful implementation, our teams hand over the solutions to the operational team, enabling organisations to continue their Cyber GRC processes independently, scalably and sustainably.

Compliance and regulatory requirements

Another integral part of the approach is the compliance aspect. Regulatory requirements such as NIS 2, data protection regulations (GDPR) and industry-specific standards are not merely met, but implemented in a transparent and audit-proof manner. Clear guidelines, regular audits and consistent reporting help to identify deviations at an early stage and avoid risks arising from penalties or liability.

Learn more

Standards and certifications

Depending on the target vision and regulatory environment, established standards and best practices such as BSI IT-Grundschutz, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, TISAX, ISO 27002, NIST CSF, the ISF Standard of Good Practice or ENISA guidelines are applied. The result is a certifiable ISMS that makes risks transparent, effectively reduces cyber threats and enables the continuous development of security, governance and resilience.

Mehr erfahren

Technological implementation and tools Compliance and regulatory requirements Standards and certifications

Technological implementation and tools

The technical implementation takes place on leading platforms such as ServiceNow or Archer. Public sector organisations, on the other hand, prefer GRC tools that incorporate IT-Grundschutz requirements by default. It makes sense to implement tools that integrate seamlessly into the existing tool landscape via appropriate interfaces, for example to connect with ticketing, asset management or other systems. Following successful implementation, our teams hand over the solutions to the operational team, enabling organisations to continue their Cyber GRC processes independently, scalably and sustainably.

Compliance and regulatory requirements

Another integral part of the approach is the compliance aspect. Regulatory requirements such as NIS 2, data protection regulations (GDPR) and industry-specific standards are not merely met, but implemented in a transparent and audit-proof manner. Clear guidelines, regular audits and consistent reporting help to identify deviations at an early stage and avoid risks arising from penalties or liability.

Learn more

Standards and certifications

Depending on the target vision and regulatory environment, established standards and best practices such as BSI IT-Grundschutz, ISO 27001, ISO 22301, TISAX, ISO 27002, NIST CSF, the ISF Standard of Good Practice or ENISA guidelines are applied. The result is a certifiable ISMS that makes risks transparent, effectively reduces cyber threats and enables the continuous development of security, governance and resilience.

Mehr erfahren