The Compliance Conundrum: Why GCCs Can’t Afford to Blink

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Antony Alex, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Rainmaker Online Training Solutions Private Limited

In the intricate machinery of a multinational corporation, Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have evolved from being the back office to becoming the brain—the nerve center processing vast amounts of data, making high-stakes decisions, and often driving global strategies. And as every doctor (or philosopher) will tell you, the brain is only as good as its ability to control its impulses.

Now, imagine a world-class surgeon—steady hands, years of experience, impeccable credentials. But what if this surgeon decided to skip the whole «washing hands before surgery» bit? After all, the real work is in the operation, right? Well, not quite. That one lapse in hygiene could cause an infection that takes down the patient, the hospital’s reputation and the surgeon’s career in one fell swoop.

That’s precisely what a compliance misstep at a GCC can do to a multinational. It’s not just about following rules; it’s about ensuring that the very core of the organization remains untarnished.

Why GCCs Need to Be More Compliant Than the Parent

Multinationals today run on trust—trust from customers, regulators, partners, and shareholders. And GCCs, by their role, sit right at the intersection of information, technology, and execution. They hold the keys to customer data, financial transactions, intellectual property, and even confidential corporate strategies. A single breach, an overlooked compliance gap, or a hasty decision can unravel years of credibility built by the parent company.

Take data protection and information security, for example. The parent company might be headquartered in the US, but its GCC in India or the Philippines is