Pursuing certifications can be a great way to improve your professional credibility, qualify for new career opportunities and build your skills in desirable areas. If you have a job in compliance, becoming certified can help ensure you’re able to advise companies successfully. Learning about the available certifications in governance, risk and compliance (GRC) can help you find the best credential for your career goals and area of focus. In this article, we explain what GRC certifications are, list seven certifications that can help you advance your skills and provide information about GRC-related opportunities.
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What are governance, risk and compliance certifications?
Governance, risk and compliance certifications are licenses that help compliance professionals manage company risk and follow ethical guidelines. Certification courses often help teach participants about GRC-related rules and regulations. The skills they learn in their certification courses can help them advise businesses on best practices, risk mitigation and ethical conduct. Each element of GRC works together to contribute to an organization’s overall health and viability.
Here’s a closer look at the individual components of governance, risk and compliance:
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Governance: Governance refers to an organization’s ability to align its processes with its business goals. This means that their actions and decisions support their long-term objectives and core values.
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Risk: Risk management is another important component of GRC. Risks are any threats a company could encounter, like a breach of confidential information or financial security concerns.
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Compliance: Compliance refers to an organization’s ability to follow all applicable rules and regulations for their industry. Understanding policy can help companies ensure they’re meeting requirements and staying compliant with the law.
7 governance, risk and compliance certifications
Here are seven GRC certifications that can aid your professional development efforts and improve your knowledge of the field:
1. Governance, Risk and Compliance Professional
The Governance, Risk and Compliance Professional certification covers the basic principles of GRC and helps professionals advance their knowledge and their careers. To get the certification, professionals must become members of the Open Compliance and Ethics Group. The certification comes with a two-day training that attendees can complete remotely to accommodate a variety of schedules and needs.
Here’s some more information about what the certification covers:
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Foundational information: The GRCP certification covers the core principles of GRC and explores different applications and disciplines.
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The GRCP capability model: The certification also teaches the four elements of the GRCP capability model. These are learning, alignment, performance and review.
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Process implementation: The two-day course also teaches implementation strategies to help companies align their compliance efforts with their values and goals.
2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional
The CISSP certification focuses on cyber-security and requires professionals to have at least five years of paid experience within at least two areas of the Common Body of Knowledge. (ISC)2 offers the certification, and the virtual or in-person training takes five days to complete.
The certification provides:
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CBK training: The CISSP certification covers all eight of the CBK domains. This includes instruction on managing security and risk, providing asset security, understanding communications and network security and learning about security architecture and engineering, among other topics.
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Access to the CISSP textbook: Training attendees and aspiring certification holders receive a copy of the (ISC)2 CISSP textbook.
3. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
The CSSBB certification is a certification from the American Society for Quality. The certification is for professionals who want to learn and understand six sigma’s founding principles, resources and support networks. The certification teaches leadership and instructs participants on how to assign team member roles and delegate responsibility. To qualify, aspiring black belts need to complete a project and submit an affidavit for consideration. Certification holders also need to complete an exam that has multiple formats depending on whether you take the test in-person or online.
Here are some additional topics the certification covers:
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Six sigma principles: Preparation for the exam includes a review of the six sigma principles.
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The define, measure, analyze, improve and control model: The course also covers the DMAIC model, which aims to teach program participants best practices related to leadership and GRC.
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Lean management: The certification also helps reinforce Lean management styles so certification holders understand how to apply concepts to their enterprises.
4. Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT
The CGEIT certification is for executive-level professionals who want to develop governance skills they can apply to an entire business or corporation. To achieve the certification, professionals need to pass an exam that covers risk optimization, IT resources, enterprise-level IT governance and benefits realization. You can find out more information about the exam and study materials through ISACA, the organization that offers the credential.
5. GRC Professional Certification
OneTrust also offers a GRC certification for industry professionals interested in expanding their credibility and knowledge. The course takes six hours to complete and teaches participants how to use the company’s tools and offerings. The skills certificate holders receive include advanced knowledge of enterprise policy management, risk management for IT, ethics modules, risk frameworks and risk life cycle management. The course can also count toward the hour requirements for a GRCP certification.
6. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
The CRISC certification is another certification ISACA offers. It helps IT and risk management professionals oversee enterprise risk so they can meet their leadership goals. The certification offers specialized focus on information system maintenance and implementation, helping professionals develop their activities and practices. To earn a certification, professionals have to pass an exam focused on risk assessment, identification, mitigation and reporting. To qualify to take the exam, you must have three years of professional experience and agree to follow ISACA’s ethics and continuing education requirements.
7. Project Management Institute’s Risk Management Professional certification
Interested professionals can also choose a certification from the Project Management Institute. Those interested in the RMP certificate can find the qualifying exam online. The test takes a little over three hours to complete and has 170 questions focused on assessing your ability to identify risks, mitigate threats and maximize organizational opportunity.
1. IT security specialist
National average salary: $54,886 per year
Primary duties: IT security specialists ensure computers and data are safe from outside threats or hackers. This may involve testing protective software and implementing safety rules, such as never leaving a logged-in computer unsupervised. They might educate others on best practices or implement company-wide solutions to help protect valuable data and sensitive information.
2. Compliance officer
National average salary: $61,306 per year
Primary duties: This position ensures the company complies with the law and all business regulations. They also check for compliance with internal policies and procedures. They might perform risk assessments or audits to ensure the company is completing processes correctly.
3. Risk manager
National average salary: $85,102 per year
Primary duties: A risk manager oversees things such as insurance and safety risks to a company and employees. This could include fire department compliance and adherence to safety regulations. They’re responsible for identifying and resolving risks that could affect a company’s reputation, safety or financial security.
I hope you find this article helpful.
