Cyber Security and Data Protection in Saudi Arabia 2024
Cyber Security and Data protection has been continuously witnessing great changes and resilience against Cyber Security risks and protection of personal data, and Saudi Arabia has not been far away in implementing the required laws and protection to safeguard its citizens. Saudi Vision 2030 has been the driving force to initiate best data controls and implementing ISO 27001 certification has been now mandatory. Many NCA Standards are witnessing drastic changes and helped organizations to overcome the challenges faced in cyber security and data protection in Saudi Arabia.
Journey of Cyber Security in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Cyber security Laws were majorly based on sharia law’s judicial system with huge GAPS in between the modern cyber security controls. The Cyber Security Framework has drastically changed post the advancement of the nation towards its vision statements achievement. New data protection laws in Saudi Arabia have contributed towards establishing new privacy protection and cyber security
National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has recently published new laws concerning personal data protection in line with General data Protection regulation (GDPR), Royal Decree No. 6801, issued on October 31, 2017, and subsequently modified by Royal Decree No. 7053, dated September 9, 2021.
New cybercrime law and protection against any additional cyber security risk management has been witnessed in Saudi with latest laws on Essential Cybersecurity controls (NCA-ECC) being the latest of the standard that has added value to safeguard the interests of Saudi nationals.
Understanding Cyber Security and Data Protection laws in Saudi Arabia
It is essential for enterprises, businesses, and people to have a thorough understanding of the data protection and cyber security regulations in Saudi Arabia in order to effectively handle the intricacies of data management while adhering to legal requirements.
Let us examine the various legal frameworks and cyber security legislation that regulate data protection in the Kingdom.
The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL)
The personal data protection law was issued initially in 2021 with reference to international personal data protection laws. Latest revision of PDPL is in April 2023, by 14th September 2024 it is compulsory to be implemented.
Many concepts like personal data, sensitive personal data that needs to be properly managed by controlling entity and processing entity, relationship between these two are controlled and to be performed in planned manner.
Anti-Cyber Crime Law
The Anti-Cyber Crime Law in Saudi Arabia is a legislation that deals with various cyber offenses, Violation of safety, confidentiality of data & electronic information and the informational systems. Misusing information tools, fraud and forgery of information, third party cybersecurity controls, PCI-DSS requirements are included in the anti-cybercrime law in saudi.
SAMA Cyber Security Framework (CSF)
An important cybersecurity framework that comes as regulations and guidelines to govern various cybersecurity activities in Saudi Arabia. These institutions can be banks financial companies government companies and private entities which deal with such organizations.
The SAMA Cyber Security Framework was formed in 2017 and aims at providing its members to identify the cyber threat and risk management in your information security management system. A legal risk acceptance needs to be established and provided to SAMA in order to overcome the shortcomings that are caused due to not implementing the system. The SAMA high level maturity and follows institution like ISO, NIST, PCI and ISF. It is very crucial to follow the requirement as soon as possible if you come under SAMA requirement.
NDMO - National Data Management office
The NDMO framework consists of various regulations and controls that help to maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of data that may be personal data or business data. How the data management is implemented in an organisation which handles various cyber security data. The four pillars of Data Management Standards in Saudi Arabia is Strategy and Governance, Standards, Integration, and Quality.
ISO 27001:2022 – Information Security Management System
The latest version of ISO 27001 certification in Saudi Arabia has helped organizations to upgrade themselves to newer international standards on Cyber Security and Data Protection laws. The ISO 27001 requirements in Saudi Arabia have been covering all other new Saudi’s data protection and cybercrime laws with Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of the data is provided importance and brings more trust amongst the clients.
National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) - Cyber Security and Data Protection
The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) has released regulations.
The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) is responsible for both regulating and carrying out operational tasks related to cyber security. It has implemented various measures to guarantee cyber resilience and safeguarding. The controls encompass the following:
The NCA ECC, or National Cybersecurity Agency’s Essential Cybersecurity rules, consist of a collection of rules and recommendations designed to safeguard against vulnerabilities and potential cyber assaults.
The NCA CCC provides standards and controls for managing cloud security and coordinating responses to cyber incidents in order to reduce the effect of such incidents in the cloud.
The NCA TCC (National Cybersecurity Agency Telework Cybersecurity Controls) establish rules to enable enterprises to create secure telecommuting environments.
The NCA CSCC, or National Critical Systems Cybersecurity Controls, are specifically developed to address the cybersecurity needs of critical systems at a national level.
NCA DCC: Data Cybersecurity Controls provide organizations with essential measures and optimal methods to combat the growing threats and reduce the negative consequences on the Kingdom’s crucial interests, critical infrastructures, national security, high-priority sectors, and government activities and services.
NCA OTCC: Operational Technology Cybersecurity controls are implemented to safeguard operational technology (OT) systems and critical infrastructure from potential cyber threats.
NCA OSMACC: Social media accounts of the organization Cybersecurity controls aim to enhance an organization’s security measures on social media platforms.
Streamline Compliance with Cyber Security Regulations and Data Protection in Saudi Arabia using CertBureau.
CertBureau – Cyber Security and Data Protection Laws in Saudi Arabia
Ensuring compliance and adherence to many regulations and frameworks is crucial for effectively navigating Saudi Arabia’s complex cyber security laws. Cyber security measures must be prioritized by organizations within the Kingdom to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Your partner for all your cyber security and data protection laws is CertBureau.
CertBureau is a team of experts with advanced methods of controls that simplifies the task of complying with several standards such as PDPL, SAMA CSF, NDMO Framework, NCA ECC, and others.
ISO 27001 Audit Report – Ideal Guide
ISO 27001 Audit Report – Ideal Guide Any organisation which is undergoing ISO 27001 certification process needs to understand the...
GAP Analysis – ISO 27001 – Advanced Method
GAP Analysis – ISO 27001 – Advanced Method Gap analysis in ISO certification is a method of assessment to find...
ISO 27001 Internal Audit – Unique Tool
Mastering ISO 27001 Internal Audit: A Complete Guide to ISMS Audits, Processes, and Documentation In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape,...