SAMA Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) Compliance Services

The SAMA Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is a mandatory regulatory standard issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) that applies to all banks, insurance companies, financing companies, and other SAMA-regulated financial institutions operating in Saudi Arabia. It defines cybersecurity governance, risk management, and operational controls that organisations must implement to protect customer data, financial systems, and critical infrastructure. Non-compliance can result in regulatory penalties, licence restrictions, and mandatory remediation orders. CyberSilo's SAMA CSF Readiness Assessment service provides a structured starting point for institutions beginning their compliance journey.

SAMA CSF compliance is mandatory for all entities regulated by the Saudi Central Bank, including commercial banks, investment banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, financing companies, exchange houses, credit bureaus, payment service providers, and fintechs operating under SAMA supervision. This includes both Saudi-headquartered institutions and foreign banks with licensed branches in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If your organisation holds or is applying for a SAMA licence, SAMA CSF compliance is a non-negotiable regulatory requirement.

SAMA CSF and the National Cybersecurity Authority's Essential Cybersecurity Controls (NCA ECC) are complementary but distinct regulatory frameworks. NCA ECC applies broadly to Saudi government entities and critical sector organisations, while SAMA CSF applies specifically to SAMA-regulated financial institutions. Financial institutions regulated by SAMA must satisfy both frameworks. CyberSilo cross-maps controls across both standards so your organisation completes one unified compliance programme rather than two separate assessments. Read our detailed SAMA CSF vs NCA ECC comparison guide for a full breakdown of the differences, overlaps, and unified compliance approach.

TIBER-SA (Threat Intelligence-Based Ethical Red Teaming Saudi Arabia) is SAMA's intelligence-led red team testing framework adapted from the European TIBER-EU standard. TIBER-SA assessments are an advanced component of SAMA CSF compliance, requiring sophisticated threat intelligence-led penetration testing against critical financial infrastructure. CyberSilo provides end-to-end TIBER-SA readiness support, from threat intelligence gathering and scope definition through to test execution coordination and remediation planning. Our TIBER-SA Red Team Testing Guide explains the full process in detail.

A comprehensive SAMA CSF gap assessment typically takes 3–6 weeks depending on the organisation's size, complexity, and current maturity level. Initial readiness assessments can be scoped and delivered within 2–3 weeks for smaller financial institutions or fintechs. Full remediation programmes — from gap assessment through to audit-ready compliance — typically span 3–9 months depending on the number and severity of control gaps identified. CyberSilo provides a timeline estimate during the initial scoping call so your team can plan resources and board communication accordingly.

Yes — and this dual approach is highly recommended for Saudi financial institutions. SAMA CSF and ISO 27001:2022 share significant control overlap, and CyberSilo's unified compliance methodology builds a single evidence base and policy framework that satisfies both standards simultaneously. Running a combined SAMA CSF and ISO 27001 programme with CyberSilo is substantially more efficient than running two separate assessments, typically reducing total compliance effort by 30–40% compared to sequential engagements. Our Compliance Standards Automation platform then maintains both compliance postures continuously after initial certification.

Yes. CyberSilo's KSA compliance team delivers all documentation — including gap assessment reports, risk treatment plans, policy templates, board presentations, and SAMA self-assessment submission packages — in both Arabic and English. This ensures your regulatory documents meet SAMA's language expectations while remaining accessible to international board members, auditors, and senior management operating in English-language environments.

CyberSilo's technology platform provides comprehensive coverage of SAMA CSF's technical and operational requirements. ThreatHawk SIEM delivers real-time threat detection and log monitoring for Domain 3 controls. ThreatSearch TIP provides financial sector-specific threat intelligence. Threat Exposure Management handles vulnerability discovery and prioritisation. Compliance Standards Automation delivers continuous compliance monitoring, automated evidence collection, and audit-ready reporting. CIS Benchmarking validates secure configuration baselines. Agentic SOC AI automates 24/7 security operations. Together, these products operationalise SAMA CSF compliance as a continuous, automated capability rather than an annual manual exercise.