The $3 Trillion Question: Why Aren’t More Companies Automating GRC?

Artificial intelligence and automation stand to transform virtually every industry imaginable, providing trillions of dollars in economic benefits — and GRC is no different. Organizations that adopt GRC automation will be better positioned to tackle a complex regulatory environment, mitigate risk more effectively, and drive operational efficiency.

One report by Frost & Sullivan referred to compliance automation as a “critical turning point” at a time when global regulations continue to surge in frequency and complexity. Meanwhile, a study published in the International Journal of Computer Engineering and Technology noted that companies with automated GRC systems were better at managing statutory compliance requirements than their counterparts.

The value of automation is clear, but are organizations ready to implement it?

The answer is yes… to a point. RegScale’s 2026 State of Continuous Controls Monitoring Report reveals that almost all (95%) InfoSec leaders surveyed have implemented some level of automation in their GRC processes and 48% say they are mostly or fully automated across some GRC activities.

Unfortunately, there’s still a gap between where we are today and what automation can achieve. More than 80% of organizations aren’t fully automating repetitive tasks like evidence collection or audit preparation and response — and only 4% have achieved full automation across the board.

Why aren’t companies investing in GRC automation more aggressively?

It’s not a lack of appetite. For nearly one-third of companies (31%), high costs or limited funds are the issue. More than one-fifth (23%) cite integration challenges or other tech stack issues, and another 23% say a lack of skilled staff is a significant obstacle.

(No surprise there: Indeed’s workforce report indicated that only 45% of employees have been upskilled to fulfill new AI-related job requirements. Compliance work is more complex than most, so this skills gap is not likely to disappear overnight.)

What’s the takeaway?

Despite the obstacles, the trajectory is clear: GRC automation is increasingly a necessity in a complex regulatory landscape. As such, the gap between current adoption rates and full automation is both a challenge and an opportunity.

Organizations that address barriers like cost, integration complexity, and skills gaps today will be best positioned to reap the benefits tomorrow.

For more insights on the latest GRC automation trends, download the full State of Continuous Controls Monitoring Report.