SAMA, also known as the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, is the central bank of Saudi Arabia, responsible for regulating the country's monetary policy, financial stability, and banking sector.
SAMA plays a pivotal role in overseeing financial institutions, ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the SAMA MVC (Minimum Verification Controls), CRFR (Cyber Resilience Fundamental Requirements), and CSF (Cyber Security Framework). Additionally, SAMA offers consultancy services to businesses operating in Saudi Arabia, providing guidance on compliance with SAMA regulations and facilitating third-party audit services.
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Cyber Security Framework (SAMA CSF) is a regulatory framework designed to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of Saudi Arabia's financial sector. It ensures that banks, insurance companies, financing companies, credit bureaus, and financial market infrastructures implement robust governance, risk management, operational, and third-party cybersecurity controls.
The framework is based on leading international standards such as NIST, ISO, ISF, BASEL, and PCI, and provides a structured approach to risk identification, protection, detection, response, and recovery. Its ultimate goal is to safeguard confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets in Saudi Arabia's financial ecosystem.
SAMA CSF defines a Cybersecurity Maturity Model with six levels (0–5):
No security controls in place
Controls exist but are inconsistent
Controls are informal and not documented
Controls are documented, approved, and monitored
Controls are periodically measured, evaluated, and improved
Continuous improvement with integration into enterprise risk management
SAMA requires all regulated entities to reach at least Level 3 or higher to demonstrate compliance and resilience against cyber threats.
The SAMA Operational Resilience Framework refers to the Saudi Central Bank's regulatory approach to ensuring that financial institutions can continue delivering critical services during disruptions. Rather than being a single standalone document, operational resilience under SAMA is achieved through multiple frameworks and regulations, with the Cyber Security Framework (CSF) serving as a central pillar.
Operational resilience encompasses more than cybersecurity. It includes business continuity, risk management, cloud computing, data localization, and third-party vendor management. Together, these requirements create a holistic strategy that enables banks, insurance companies, and other regulated entities to withstand, adapt to, and recover from both cyber and non-cyber incidents.
The SAMA compliance framework aims to fortify cybersecurity measures within regulated financial institutions, safeguarding customer data against escalating cyber threats. The key objectives include:
The scope of the SAMA compliance framework extends to:
The framework is structured into four main domains:
Strategy, policies, roles, and governance
Risk assessments, regulatory compliance, and audits
Human resources, access management, incident response, infrastructure, and testing
Vendor, outsourcing, and cloud security management
SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority) sandbox is a regulatory sandbox program launched by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority. It allows fintech companies and startups to test innovative financial products, services, and business models in a controlled environment under the supervision of SAMA.
The sandbox provides a platform for companies to experiment with their offerings while ensuring SAMA compliance with regulatory requirements. It promotes innovation, fosters the growth of the fintech ecosystem, and facilitates the development of new solutions to meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses in Saudi Arabia.
Begin by ensuring your fintech venture meets SAMA's eligibility criteria. Submit your proposal outlining your innovative solution and its potential impact.
Craft a detailed proposal highlighting the problem your fintech innovation addresses, its unique features, target market, and expected benefits.
Undergo a comprehensive regulatory review conducted by SAMA. This step ensures your solution complies with regulatory standards and poses no undue risks.
Enter the sandbox testing phase where you'll have the opportunity to test your innovation in a controlled environment. Gather valuable insights and refine your solution as needed.
Benefit from ongoing monitoring and evaluation by SAMA to assess compliance and effectiveness. Receive guidance and support to optimize your solution for success.
Upon successful completion of the sandbox testing phase, graduate from the program with confidence. Proceed with the implementation and commercialization of your fintech innovation, equipped with SAMA's endorsement.
At GRC ARABIA, we specialize in providing comprehensive services to ensure your organization's compliance with the stringent regulations set forth by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA). Our range of services encompasses audits, consultancy, and compliance solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of your business.
Our experienced team conducts thorough audits to assess your organization's adherence to SAMA CSF regulations. Through meticulous examination and analysis, we identify areas for improvement and provide actionable recommendations to enhance your compliance posture.
Benefit from expert consultancy services aimed at guiding your organization through the complexities of SAMA compliance. Our consultants offer strategic advice, regulatory insights, and tailored solutions to help you navigate the regulatory landscape effectively.
We offer comprehensive compliance solutions designed to streamline and strengthen your adherence to SAMA regulations. From policy development and implementation to ongoing monitoring and review, we provide end-to-end support to ensure compliance excellence.
In addition to our core services, we specialize in offering third-party compliance consultancy and audits for SAMA frameworks such as CSF, MVC, and CRFR. Our experts provide independent assessments and validation of your compliance efforts, giving you confidence in your regulatory compliance.
At GRC ARABIA, we are committed to helping organizations in Saudi Arabia achieve and maintain SAMA compliance effectively and efficiently. Partner with us to safeguard your operations, mitigate risks, and uphold the highest standards of regulatory compliance.
At GRC ARABIA, we specialize in delivering end-to-end governance, risk, and compliance services tailored to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) Cyber Security Framework (CSF). We understand that every organization operates in a unique environment, facing specific regulatory, operational, and technological challenges.
Our approach is built around providing customized compliance solutions that not only meet the regulatory requirements but also strengthen your organization's overall cybersecurity posture. By aligning your security practices with the SAMA CSF, we help you achieve a structured, resilient, and future-ready cybersecurity framework that supports both regulatory compliance and business continuity.
Our expertise goes beyond the SAMA CSF to include other critical frameworks such as the Cyber Resilience Fundamental Requirements (CRFR) and the Minimum Verification Controls (MVC). We provide practical guidance, strategic consultancy, and hands-on support throughout the entire compliance lifecycle from gap analysis and implementation to policy development, security testing, and audit readiness. With GRC ARABIA, you gain a trusted partner committed to ensuring your organization not only complies with SAMA regulations but also enhances its ability to withstand and adapt to the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.
We conduct comprehensive assessments of your current cybersecurity posture against SAMA CSF requirements to identify compliance gaps, risks, and areas for improvement.
Our consultants provide hands-on guidance to implement the required technical, organizational, and governance controls, ensuring you meet framework expectations.
We help you develop and customize cybersecurity policies, procedures, and documentation aligned with SAMA CSF, covering governance, risk management, operations, and vendor management.
We deliver vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and configuration reviews to identify weaknesses, validate controls, and support audit readiness.
We design and deliver employee training programs to ensure staff understand cybersecurity responsibilities and comply with SAMA CSF requirements.
We prepare you for SAMA-led audits and inspections, ensuring full readiness and confidence in demonstrating compliance.
We offer continuous monitoring, advisory, and managed compliance services to keep your organization compliant with evolving SAMA CSF requirements year-round.
We are a trusted cybersecurity consultancy in Saudi Arabia, helping organizations achieve end-to-end compliance with SAMA CSF. Our experts combine deep regulatory knowledge, technical expertise, and practical implementation skills to ensure your organization is not only compliant but also resilient against evolving cyber threats.
Local expertise with in-depth knowledge of SAMA regulations
Certified cybersecurity professionals (CISSP, CISA, CISM, ISO 27001 & PCI DSS-QSA)
Customized solutions tailored to your business size and risk profile
Proven track record of successful compliance engagements in the financial sector
Continuous support to maintain compliance even after audits
Contact us to discuss your Cyber Security Framework implementation requirements