Research/Technical Note
Automating Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) in Cloud Computing: A Case Study on ServiceNow and NIST Framework Integration
Vara Prasad Pinninti*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, December 2025
Pages:
77-86
Received:
20 July 2025
Accepted:
11 August 2025
Published:
18 October 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.iotcc.20251304.11
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Abstract: The rapid adoption of cloud computing has transformed organizational operations, offering scalability and flexibility but introducing complex governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) challenges. Increasing regulatory demands, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, coupled with rising cybersecurity threats, strain traditional manual GRC processes. These processes are often inefficient, error-prone, and ill-equipped to manage the dynamic nature of cloud environments, leading to compliance violations and heightened risks. As organizations strive for robust GRC frameworks, automation has emerged as a critical solution to streamline compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and policy enforcement, ensuring agility and security in cloud-based operations. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating ServiceNow’s GRC platform with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to automate GRC processes in cloud computing environments. The research seeks to demonstrate how this integration enhances audit readiness, reduces compliance violations, and improves real-time risk visibility for organizations. Through a case study of a mid-sized financial institution, we explore the implementation of ServiceNow’s GRC platform aligned with NIST CSF’s core functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover). The methodology includes deploying automated workflows for continuous compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and policy enforcement. Key features examined include automated evidence collection, real-time dashboards, and incident response automation. The case study reveals a 40% reduction in manual effort for compliance tasks, a 30% improvement in incident response times, and enhanced visibility into risk postures through centralized reporting. These findings highlight the platform’s ability to adapt to dynamic cloud environments while maintaining regulatory compliance. The integration of ServiceNow’s GRC platform with NIST CSF significantly enhances organizational GRC capabilities, offering a scalable solution for cloud environments. By automating critical processes, organizations achieve greater efficiency, reduced errors, and improved audit readiness. The study underscores the potential of automation to transform GRC practices, with implications for industries facing stringent regulations. Future enhancements, such as AI-driven predictive risk analytics, could further strengthen proactive risk management. Limitations, including initial implementation costs and training needs, suggest areas for further research to optimize adoption.
Abstract: The rapid adoption of cloud computing has transformed organizational operations, offering scalability and flexibility but introducing complex governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) challenges. Increasing regulatory demands, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, coupled with rising cybersecurity threats, strain traditional manual GRC processes. These pr...
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