Privacy, Risk, and Readiness: Preparing for California’s 2025 Compliance Shifts
California has long set the pace for data privacy in the United States. From the California Consumer Privacy Act to the more recent California Privacy Rights Act, the state continues to shape how organizations collect, use, and protect personal information.
And for professionals here in Sacramento, that impact is even more direct. As the heart of California’s policy and government operations, our region sits at the center of decision-making that affects both public and private organizations across the state.
So here is the question worth asking now:
Is your governance, risk, and compliance framework ready for what is coming in 2025?
Let's take a look at what's changing, what it means for your work, and how ISACA Sacramento is here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
What Is Changing in 2025
As of January 2025, the California Privacy Protection Agency is expected to expand its enforcement of CPRA-related rules. While some of the core requirements around data access and consumer rights remain unchanged, the way they are being enforced is shifting.
You may already be aware that the CPPA is developing detailed guidelines for areas such as automated decision-making, risk assessments, and cybersecurity audits. These efforts are aimed at making privacy protections more meaningful and more measurable. For GRC professionals, this means more documentation, more oversight, and more accountability.
At the same time, there is growing momentum around artificial intelligence and data ethics legislation in the state. Several draft bills are in discussion that would add new layers of compliance for companies using AI to influence employment, housing, and financial decisions. It is not law yet, but it is clearly on the horizon.
And it is all happening right here in Sacramento. This is where legislative committees meet. This is where public input is gathered. If you work in cybersecurity or compliance in this region, you are not just reacting to policy, you are surrounded by it.
What This Means for GRC Professionals
These developments bring important implications across governance, risk, and compliance functions.
Governance
Executives and boards are being asked to show stronger oversight of privacy programs. It is no longer just about the legal team or IT checking boxes. There is a growing expectation that leaders can speak confidently about how the organization handles personal data, assesses risks, and protects stakeholder trust.
For GRC professionals, this means building privacy reporting into enterprise dashboards and keeping leadership engaged in regulatory developments.
Risk
Privacy and cybersecurity risks are no longer isolated issues. They are deeply tied to vendor relationships, third-party systems, and digital infrastructure.
California’s privacy rules now require businesses to look beyond internal systems. If you are working with cloud providers, SaaS platforms, or customer analytics tools, you must be ready to show how those vendors protect personal data and what happens when something goes wrong.
Here in Sacramento, this is especially relevant for organizations supporting public sector work. Vendors serving state or local agencies will likely face growing pressure to prove their compliance readiness.
Compliance
The baseline is CPRA, but it does not stop there. If you are in healthcare, education, or finance, you may also be navigating HIPAA, FERPA, or GLBA at the same time.
And while AI laws are still emerging, it is a smart move to begin building documentation and risk assessments now for any systems that use automated decision-making. Not because you have to, but because you will be ready when it becomes law.
This is also where the diversity of ISACA Sacramento’s membership becomes a strength. Our community includes professionals from government, education, private enterprise, and nonprofit organizations. We are all facing similar rules, but with different tools and contexts. That shared perspective is what makes our local chapter so valuable.
How to Build a Resilient GRC Program
If your privacy program feels reactive today, this is your chance to get ahead.
Here are three ways to strengthen your governance, risk, and compliance program in 2025:
1. Monitor Regulations as a Risk Function
Do not treat compliance as something separate from risk. Make privacy laws part of your enterprise risk management process. Assign ownership, track developments, and schedule regular reviews so your team can adapt quickly when new laws are finalized.
2. Use Tools to Stay Audit Ready
Manual tracking is no longer enough. Explore automation tools that can log activity, flag exceptions, and generate reports that align with CPPA expectations. The more real-time visibility you have, the easier it will be to prove compliance when the time comes.
3. Make Privacy Everyone’s Job
Privacy-by-design is not a slogan, it is a way of building culture. Help your teams understand where personal data lives, how it flows, and what controls are in place. Developers, HR teams, and customer service reps all play a role in protecting data. The more involved they are, the stronger your program will be.
If your organization has already taken steps toward CPRA readiness, consider sharing that progress at an upcoming ISACA event. Our community grows stronger when we learn from one another.
How ISACA Sacramento Supports You
Your role as a GRC professional matters—and you are not alone in it.
ISACA Sacramento offers events, certification training, and working groups designed to support professionals navigating California’s changing privacy landscape. Whether you are pursuing a CRISC, CISA, or CGEIT certification or just looking to connect with others in similar roles, we are here to help you grow.
As privacy and AI governance continue to evolve, our chapter remains committed to providing timely, relevant resources to keep you informed and connected.
Be sure to check out our upcoming events, and if you are not yet an ISACA member, this is a great time to get involved.
As 2025 brings new challenges and expectations, now is the time to review your governance, risk, and compliance strategy. What worked in the past may not be enough for what is coming next.
Take stock of your systems. Talk with your teams. And most importantly, stay connected with the ISACA Sacramento Chapter. Together, we are building a stronger, smarter, and more prepared GRC community.