Security compliance and governance provide the structured framework through which organizations manage information security risks while meeting regulatory obligations. Compliance frameworks define specific security controls and practices organizations must implement, while governance establishes the oversight, accountability, and decision-making processes that ensure these controls operate effectively. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to protecting sensitive data and managing cyber risk in an increasingly regulated environment. The key distinction is that compliance answers "what controls must exist," while governance answers "who owns them and how do we prove they work."