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Building governance on data-driven foundations

Writer's picture: Wes BakerWes Baker

Vanta is known for its trust management platform which helps organizations manage risk and prove security in the face of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) concerns.


Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) have long been seen as a necessary, yet often tedious, part of business operations. 


Traditionally, it’s been a checkbox exercise i.e. completing audits, ticking off requirements, and moving on until the next compliance cycle. But GRC engineering is changing that. Applying an engineering mindset to compliance and risk management can turn these manual, periodic processes into seamless, automated systems that integrate into daily workflows.


At the heart of GRC engineering transformation is data and the very practice of data engineering.




Real-time risks


Accurate, reliable, and well-organized data drives the success of GRC engineering. It allows organizations to monitor compliance, identify risks, and automate critical processes in real-time. At the core of managing that data are data engineers, whose work ensures that GRC systems are robust, scalable, and capable of delivering actionable insights.


But without data engineering, there is no GRC engineering.


Data engineering transforms scattered, raw data into the insights organizations need to stay compliant and manage risks effectively. Without reliable data systems, GRC programs become reactive, slow, and error-prone undermining their purpose. Here’s how data engineering empowers GRC efforts:


  • Clean, Trustworthy Data: Compliance and risk decisions rely on accurate data. Data engineers set up systems to validate and standardize information, ensuring teams don’t act on incomplete or incorrect data.


  • Integration Across Systems: Data engineers unify information from disparate tools and platforms to provide a complete view of compliance and risk. This ensures nothing falls through the cracks and allows for informed decision-making.


  • Scalability for Growth: As businesses expand, their compliance needs become more complex. Scalable data systems ensure that GRC programs can handle increasing data volumes and evolving requirements, keeping organizations ahead of the curve.


  • Real-Time Monitoring: Quarterly reviews and annual audits are too slow in today’s fast-paced environment. Data engineering enables real-time or near-real-time insights, helping organizations identify and address risks proactively.


  • Automation of Repetitive Tasks: By automating time-consuming activities like compliance checks and report generation, data engineers free up teams to focus on more strategic initiatives.


Data won’t manage itself


For GRC engineering to deliver its potential, data can’t simply be collected. It needs to be continuously assessed, monitored, and managed. Reliable data pipelines ensure compliance and risk management become part of everyday business operations rather than a one-off exercise. This continuous approach allows organizations to spot gaps, mitigate risks, and respond to issues as they arise.


Evidence-based decision-making (and robust data engineering practice) is a hallmark of GRC engineering. 


GRC engineering isn’t just about compliance; it’s about measurable outcomes & broader business goals.


Instead of reacting to external pressures or operating on assumptions, organizations can rely on accurate data to guide their actions. Data engineers enable this precision by ensuring that compliance and risk metrics are based on solid, measurable foundations.


Sophisticated data collection and analysis make it possible to quantify progress and evaluate effectiveness. GRC engineering isn’t just about compliance; it’s about achieving measurable outcomes that align with broader business goals. This approach helps organizations communicate results, both internally and externally, strengthening trust and accountability.


Threat-informed decision-making


Modern risks require modern responses. Organizations need systems that collect, analyze, and act on intelligence about emerging threats. Data engineers play a critical role in this process by ensuring the information flowing into GRC frameworks is both accurate and actionable. Whether it’s identifying potential vulnerabilities or adapting to new regulatory requirements, the ability to make threat-informed decisions depends on reliable data systems.


Ultimately, GRC engineering is only as strong as the data and data engineering that supports it.


Without robust data management, the continuous processes, measurable results, and proactive risk mitigation that define this approach wouldn’t be possible. Data engineers ensure that GRC systems not only function but deliver meaningful outcomes that align with organizational goals.


Transforming governance, risk, and compliance into dynamic, data-driven systems, can help businesses move beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements. They can use GRC engineering as a tool for achieving operational excellence, reducing friction, and building a foundation of trust and accountability. This way, data engineering becomes more than just a support function and more of a backbone of modern GRC.




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