GRC Analyst Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Applying for a GRC Analyst job in the UK? Here is what you are likely to be asked. These questions come from our GRC Analyst question bank of 16 questions, written for UK employers at mid-level level.

Eight GRC Analyst interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. How would you carry out a gap assessment against ISO 27001:2022 Annex A for an organisation that has never been certified?

Why they ask: They want to see whether you can run a structured assessment rather than just quote the standard.

2. What should a good risk register contain, and how do you keep it useful rather than just a spreadsheet nobody reads?

Why they ask: Risk registers are the core GRC tool and they test whether you can make one drive decisions.

3. How would you explain the difference between inherent risk, residual risk and risk appetite, and how do they drive treatment decisions?

Why they ask: They check you can apply risk terminology correctly when advising owners.

4. What does a typical week look like for a GRC analyst?

Why they ask: They check you have realistic expectations of the day-to-day work.

5. What is a Statement of Applicability, and how do you keep it accurate between audits?

Why they ask: This tests practical ISO 27001 knowledge beyond the headline structure.

6. How do you manage evidence collection for an external audit, for example a SOC 2 or ISO 27001 surveillance audit?

Why they ask: Audit readiness is a daily task for a GRC analyst and they want to see your process.

7. A risk owner has not updated any of their risks for six months and the risk committee meets next week. What do you do?

Why they ask: They want to see tact and persistence in managing business owners.

8. Tell me about a time you identified a risk that was not already on the risk register and how you got it addressed.

Why they ask: They want evidence of proactive risk identification rather than box-ticking.

A sample answer to question 1

How would you carry out a gap assessment against ISO 27001:2022 Annex A for an organisation that has never been certified?

I would start by agreeing scope and context with leadership, then build a list of the 93 Annex A controls grouped into the four themes: organisational, people, physical and technological. For each control I would interview the owner, review documents and sample real evidence, such as joiner and leaver tickets or patching reports, because a policy on paper doesn't prove operation. I'd score each control as not implemented, partially implemented or fully implemented, and note the gap, the owner and a realistic effort estimate. I would also check the management system clauses 4 to 10, including internal audit and management review, since new organisations often forget these. The output would be a prioritised remediation plan and a draft Statement of Applicability, with quick wins such as asset ownership and supplier lists separated from long-lead items like a formal ISMS or logging improvements. I'd then agree dates with owners and track them to closure.

Common mistake to avoid: Treating it as a document-only exercise; Forgetting clauses 4 to 10

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 16 questions are on the GRC Analyst interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.