Saudi Arabia SAMA Cybersecurity Framework v1.0

Overview

The Saudi ArabiaSAMA Cybersecurity Framework v1.0 is a regulatory framework thathelps financial institutions in Saudi Arabia establish, implement,and maintain effective cybersecurity controls to protect theirinformation assets and ensure regulatory compliance. The frameworkaims to enhance the overall cyber resilience of the financial sectorand reduce risks associated with cyber threats.

Published by theSaudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), the framework is mandatoryfor banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutionsregulated by SAMA. It covers critical focus areas such ascybersecurity governance, risk management, operational resilience,incident management, and compliance oversight, aligning nationalrequirements with global security best practices.

Organizationsimplement the SAMA Cybersecurity Framework by conductingself-assessments, establishing required security controls, andintegrating the framework into ongoing risk management and complianceprograms. The framework supports audit readiness and helps financialorganizations coordinate their cybersecurity efforts with otherinternational standards, such as ISO 27001 and NIST frameworks.

Why it Matters

The SAMACybersecurity Framework establishes a unified foundation forprotecting the Saudi financial sector’s critical assets andensuring regulatory compliance.

Key benefitsinclude:

•  Strengthen cybersecurity governance

Promote clearleadership accountability and structured management of cybersecurityrisks throughout the entire organization.

•  Enhance regulatory alignment

Supportinstitutions in meeting SAMA and national requirements, minimizingcompliance gaps and legal exposure.

•  Promote operational resilience

Helporganizations withstand and recover from cyber incidents, ensuringcontinuity of financial services and operations.

•  Improve risk-based decision making

Enable proactiveidentification, assessment, and mitigation of threats by integratingrisk management into business processes.

•  Increase audit readiness

Ensure robustdocumentation and repeatable controls, streamlining internal andexternal audit cycles and reducing regulatory scrutiny.

How it Works

The Saudi ArabiaSAMA Cybersecurity Framework v1.0 structures cybersecurityrequirements into six main domains: Cybersecurity Governance,Cybersecurity Risk Management, Cybersecurity Operations, Third PartySecurity, Cybersecurity Resilience, and Cybersecurity Compliance.Within these domains, the framework outlines specific controlobjectives and related controls, supported by a maturity model thatenables organizations to assess and improve their cybersecurityposture over time.

Organizationsimplement the SAMA Cybersecurity Framework by mapping its controlobjectives to their internal security controls, policies, and riskmanagement practices. Typical activities include conducting riskassessments, addressing regulatory requirements, strengtheninggovernance structures, monitoring cybersecurity operations, andperforming regular compliance assessments. The framework supportscontinuous improvement through periodic reviews, fostering a cycle ofevaluation and enhancement of security practices to align withregulatory and industry standards.

With SmartSuite,organizations can operationalize the SAMA Cybersecurity Framework byleveraging control libraries for framework mapping, utilizing riskregisters for risk management, and enabling policy governanceworkflows. SmartSuite further streamlines evidence collection,compliance tracking, and remediation management while providingdashboards for monitoring security posture and audit readiness acrossgovernance programs.

Key Elements

•  Cybersecurity Leadership and Strategy

Specifies roles,responsibilities, and overall governance structure for managingcybersecurity within the organization.

•  Risk Management and Assessment

Establishessystematic processes for identifying, evaluating, and mitigatingcybersecurity risks specific to the entity.

•  Cybersecurity Operations and Controls

Describestechnical and procedural measures required to protect, detect, andrespond to cyber threats and incidents.

•  Technology and Asset Protection

Outlinesrequirements for safeguarding information assets, critical systems,and supporting technologies.

•  Third Party and Outsourcing Management

Defines controlsfor assessing, monitoring, and securing outsourced services andpartnerships involving external parties.

•  Awareness and Human Resource Security

Providesguidance for training personnel, promoting security culture, andprotecting against human-related threats.

•  Compliance and Audit Requirements

Organizesmechanisms for verifying adherence to legal, regulatory, andframework-specific cybersecurity obligations.

Framework Scope

The Saudi ArabiaSAMA Cybersecurity Framework v1.0 is adopted by financialinstitutions, banks, and insurance firms operating within theKingdom. It governs the security of information systems, paymentplatforms, and data assets, and is typically implemented whenfulfilling regulatory mandates, improving risk management, orsupporting assurance programs for regulatory and industry compliance.

Framework Objectives

The Saudi ArabiaSAMA Cybersecurity Framework provides a comprehensive basis formanaging cybersecurity risks, compliance, and organizationalresilience.

•  Strengthen cybersecurity governance and risk management acrossfinancial institutions

•  Safeguard sensitive data through effective security controls anddata protection measures

•  Enhance regulatory compliance with national standards andsupervisory requirements

•  Promote operational resilience by ensuring continuity andincident response readiness

•  Enable improved audit readiness and transparent oversight ofcybersecurity maturity The SAMA Cybersecurity Framework v1.0 isaligned with standards like ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework,and the NCA ECC. Financial institutions in Saudi Arabia typicallyimplement it to meet regulatory requirements, strengthen securitygovernance, and ensure operational security in line with the SaudiArabian Monetary Authority’s expectations.

Common Framework Mappings

The SAMACybersecurity Framework is often mapped to globally recognizedstandards to support cross-border compliance, streamline assessments,and enhance organizational security posture within both local andinternational regulatory environments.

Mappedframeworks include:

CIS Controls

COBIT

CSA CloudControls Matrix

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27002

NISTCybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-53

PCI DSS

SOC 2