Why Companies Are Desperate for GRC Professionals (And Willing to Train You)

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Here's why companies are scrambling for GRC talent — and what it means for your transition into cybersecurity.

THE STAFFING CRISIS (The Numbers Don't Lie)

67% of organizations report cybersecurity staffing shortages. That's 2 out of every 3 companies who can’t find the GRC professionals they need.

90% have skills gaps within their security teams. Even companies with GRC teams don’t have enough people with the right capabilities.

The global workforce gap? 4.8 million people. That's a 19% increase from 2023, according to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.

And here's the statistic that should get your attention: Fewer than 15% of organizations are confident they have both the people AND the skills necessary to meet their cybersecurity objectives. (World Economic Forum, 2025)

Translation: Companies are posting jobs and praying someone — anyone with the right transferable skills — applies.

WHAT HIRING MANAGERS ACTUALLY WANT (This Might Surprise You)

Here's where it gets interesting for career changers.

The 2024 ISC2 study asked hiring managers what skills they prioritize when hiring. The top answers?

• Strong problem-solving abilities (31%)
• Teamwork (28%)
• Eagerness to learn (26%)
• Strong communication skills (25%)

Technical GRC skills? Only 13%.

Read that again. The top four skills hiring managers want are soft skills that career changers already have. Technical framework knowledge ranks lower than problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.

Why? Because 59% of hiring managers don't know enough about AI to predict which technical skills professionals will need in the future. So they're betting on transferable skills that will matter no matter what technology brings.

WHY GRC IS "AI-PROOF" (And Why That Matters)

Here's what the research shows: 51% of respondents agree that "nontechnical skills will be MORE important for cybersecurity professionals in an AI-driven world."

AI can automate technical tasks. It can scan logs, flag anomalies, generate reports.

But AI cannot:

• Communicate a risk assessment to a skeptical executive
• Navigate organizational politics to get a policy approved
• Exercise ethical judgment when regulations conflict with business goals
• Build relationships with resistant department heads
• Interpret policy in context-specific situations

These are human skills. And if you've spent 10, 15, 20 years in teaching, project management, HR, finance, or healthcare — you already have them.

WHAT GRC PROFESSIONALS ACTUALLY EARN

Let me give you real numbers based on 2024/2025 salary data:

• Entry-Level GRC Analyst: $55,000 – $90,000 (median around $80,000)
• Mid-Level GRC Analyst: $90,000 – $120,000
• Senior GRC Analyst: $110,000 – $180,000+

And these are remote-friendly roles. You don't have to relocate to a tech hub to earn these salaries.

SKILLS THEY'RE ACTUALLY HIRING FOR (You Likely Have Most of Them)

When I talk to hiring managers, here's what they tell me they need:

Top Priority (You Already Have These):

• Clear communication — Can you explain complex concepts to executives?
• Documentation skills — Can you write policies people actually understand?
• Process thinking — Do you understand how organizations work?
• Stakeholder management — Can you work with resistant departments?

Secondary (Learnable in 3–6 Months):

• Understanding of frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• Basic technical vocabulary
• Experience with audits or compliance processes

Notice the pattern? The hard-to-teach skills are at the top. The easy-to-teach skills are secondary. That's why career changers are valuable — you bring the skills that can't be taught in a 6-month bootcamp.

THE ACTUAL GAP YOU NEED TO CLOSE

Most career changers think the gap between where they are and where they need to be is enormous.

It's not.

Here's the actual gap:

• Learn 3 core frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2) = 60–100 hours
• Build a portfolio (4 sample pieces) = 40–60 hours
• Optimize your LinkedIn = 5–10 hours
• Practice interviews = 10–20 hours

Total time investment: 115–190 hours. That's about 3–6 months at 10 hours per week. That's it. That's the gap.

"BUT WHAT IF I GET HIRED AND CAN'T DO THE JOB?"

I hear this fear constantly. Let me tell you what actually happens:

• Weeks 1–4: You're onboarded. You shadow senior team members. You learn internal processes. Nobody expects you to know everything.
• Months 2–3: You're given small projects. Writing one policy. Reviewing one procedure. Assisting with one audit. With supervision.
• Months 4–6: You're contributing independently. You've learned the internal systems. You understand the company's compliance requirements. You're valuable.
• Months 7–12: You're fully competent. You're leading projects. You're trusted by stakeholders.
• Year 2: You're the person new hires shadow.

THE HONEST TRUTH ABOUT THE 2025 MARKET

I'm going to be straight with you — because that's what I do.

The market has shifted. Budget constraints mean companies are being more selective, not less. They can't afford to hire someone who needs 12 months to become productive.

But here's what that means for you: If you have 15+ years of professional experience, you're exactly who they need. You understand business. You can communicate with executives. You know how organizations work. You just need the GRC framework knowledge.

The companies that ARE hiring want people who can hit the ground running with transferable skills. Career changers with the right preparation are actually more attractive than new graduates with only theoretical knowledge.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Companies are desperate. Regulations are increasing. Cyberattacks are escalating. AI is making human judgment more valuable, not less.

You don't need to be perfectly qualified. You need to be trainable.

And if you have professional experience in teaching, project management, HR, finance, or healthcare, you're already 70% of the way there.

READY TO SEE IF GRC IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Join me for my FREE Virtual Open House on Saturday, December 14th.

I'll show you exactly how career changers are breaking into GRC roles — without coding, without expensive bootcamps, and without starting over.

You'll learn:

• The 3 GRC career paths that are hiring right now
• How to position your existing experience for cybersecurity roles
• The exact steps to go from "interested" to "hired"

Plus, everyone who attends gets 20% off my $100K Cyber Career Challenge (January 5–7, 2026) — where I walk you through building your GRC portfolio and landing your first role.

👉 Register now for the Virtual Open House

If you're serious about making the switch to GRC in 2025, this session will show you exactly where to focus your time and energy.

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Iron sharpens iron, Dr. Rose Shumba Founder, The Tech Academy & Kudzai Edu Group Featured in The New York Times

P.S. Spots for the Virtual Open House fill up fast. If you're serious about making the switch to GRC in 2025, grab your seat now. I'll see you there. Save your seat here.

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