SME Security · NCNICC-1:2025 · Saudi Arabia
Quick Answer
Saudi SMEs must now comply with NCNICC-1:2025 — the NCA's first binding cybersecurity standard for private sector organizations not operating Critical National Infrastructure. This is regulation, not guidance. The five highest-ROI starting controls are: MFA everywhere, monthly patching, offline backups, security awareness training, and a documented Incident Response plan.
Separately, PDPL fines of up to SAR 5 million per violation apply to any Saudi SME processing personal data — which includes nearly every business in the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has catalyzed an explosion in SME activity. With over 800,000 SMEs operating in the Kingdom and contributing more than 35% of GDP, this sector is increasingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals — and is now bound by the NCA's NCNICC-1:2025 framework.
The National Cybersecurity Authority published NCNICC-1:2025 (Non-CNI Private Sector Entities Cybersecurity Controls) as the first dedicated cybersecurity standard for private sector organizations in Saudi Arabia that do not operate Critical National Infrastructure. If your business is a Saudi-registered private sector company and you are not already subject to NCA ECC as a CNI operator, NCNICC-1:2025 defines your minimum cybersecurity obligations.
NCNICC-1:2025 at a Glance
NCNICC-1:2025 is binding regulation — not guidance. It applies to Saudi private sector SMEs, large enterprises, and every private organization that is not a Critical National Infrastructure operator. Non-compliance is an enforcement risk. The framework covers identity management, asset management, incident response, and third-party risk, among other domains.
Yes. Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), enforced from 2024 by the NDMO under SDAIA, applies to every organization that processes the personal data of Saudi residents — regardless of size. This includes virtually every Saudi SME that collects customer contact information, processes payments, or maintains employee records. PDPL obligations include data protection controls, breach notification timelines, data subject rights, and cross-border transfer restrictions. Fines reach SAR 5 million per violation.
Based on GHS's work with SMEs across Saudi sectors, these five controls deliver the highest risk reduction per riyal spent and directly address core NCNICC-1:2025 requirements:
Deploy MFA on email, cloud applications, remote access, and all administrative accounts. A single compromised credential without MFA is the most common path to full organizational compromise. Most existing cloud platforms already include MFA at no additional cost.
Establish a monthly patching cycle for all operating systems and applications. Unpatched vulnerabilities account for the majority of ransomware entry points. Prioritize internet-facing systems, email servers, and endpoint devices with internet access.
Maintain at least one copy of critical data completely offline and disconnected from your network. Test restoration quarterly. This single control is the difference between a manageable ransomware incident and a business-ending disaster. NCNICC-1:2025 requires documented backup procedures.
Run at minimum annual training covering phishing, social engineering, and password hygiene, plus quarterly simulated phishing campaigns in Arabic and English. Human error enables the vast majority of Saudi breaches — training directly addresses this root cause at low cost.
A one-page plan that specifies who to call, which systems to isolate, and what evidence to preserve is infinitely better than no plan. NCNICC-1:2025 requires incident response capability. GHS can build and tabletop-test your IR plan against Saudi regulatory requirements.
A practical 12-month roadmap for Saudi SMEs building toward NCNICC-1:2025 and PDPL compliance:
| Horizon | Priority Actions | Regulatory Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate (0–30 days) | Enable MFA, audit patches, verify backup integrity | NCNICC-1:2025 baseline controls |
| Short-term (1–3 months) | Asset inventory, document IR plan, phishing awareness training | NCNICC-1:2025 + PDPL breach readiness |
| Medium-term (3–6 months) | Vulnerability assessment, third-party vendor review, PDPL data mapping | NCNICC-1:2025 advanced + PDPL obligations |
| Long-term (6–12 months) | Annual penetration test, formal security policy framework, tabletop IR exercise | NCNICC-1:2025 full compliance + NCA ECC (if applicable) |
GHS offers right-sized security packages for Saudi SMEs including NCNICC-1:2025 gap assessments, PDPL readiness reviews, phishing simulations, and penetration testing.
