SABIC Cyber Trust Certification: Complete Guide for Suppliers in Saudi Arabia
The SABIC CyberTrust Program is a mandatory cybersecurity certification for all qualifying third-party suppliers. To get certified, suppliers must: (1) complete a self-assessment, (2) engage an authorized audit firm, (3) achieve 100% compliance with all applicable controls, and (4) submit the certificate to SABIC. Certificates are valid for two years.
If your company supplies goods or services to SABIC — one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies — you have likely received communication about the SABIC Cyber Trust certification requirement. Launched in 2024 as part of SABIC’s cybersecurity milestones, the CyberTrust Program integrates cybersecurity requirements directly into the procurement lifecycle, making certification a hard prerequisite for supplier onboarding and continued business.
This guide covers everything you need to know: who must certify, the exact certification process, key rules that catch suppliers off guard, why it matters strategically, and how GHS helps Saudi-based suppliers achieve certification efficiently — without disrupting their core operations.
What Is the SABIC CyberTrust Program?
The SABIC CyberTrust Program is designed to ensure that all third parties — vendors, consultants, IT providers, OT suppliers — comply with SABIC’s cybersecurity requirements before being onboarded or continuing to operate within its supply chain. The program is managed in collaboration with SABIC’s Global Procurement Services and aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) controls.
Its core purpose: every supplier that touches SABIC data, systems, or networks must demonstrate documented, independently audited cybersecurity controls. Verbal assurances or internal policies alone are not enough — certification by an authorized audit firm is required.
Who Must Obtain SABIC Cyber Trust Certification?
Certification is mandatory for both new and existing SABIC suppliers in the following classifications. Additionally, any supplier with access to SABIC data — regardless of service type — must obtain at minimum a General Requirements certificate.
| Supplier Classification | Examples | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Data Access | Any supplier accessing SABIC data to deliver products or services | Mandatory |
| Network Access | ISPs, telecom operators, VPN/site-to-site integration, network infrastructure providers | Mandatory |
| Managed Services | IT infrastructure management, data center services, managed security services | Mandatory |
| Consultancy | Strategic projects, financial planning, any engagement handling confidential data | Mandatory |
| Software Development | Custom development, maintenance, software licensing, COTS, website development | Mandatory |
| Operational Technology (OT) | Industrial control systems, SCADA, PLCs, and other OT/ICS products and services | Mandatory |
| Cloud Computing | Cloud-hosted services, SaaS platforms, cloud storage providers | Mandatory |
| All other suppliers | Not in above categories and no access to SABIC data | Voluntary |
The SABIC CyberTrust Certification Process: 4 Steps
The certification process is structured and sequential. Each step must be completed in order before progressing to the next.
Conduct a Self-Assessment
Identify your supplier classification and complete a self-assessment based on the applicable cybersecurity controls outlined in the SABIC CyberTrust Standard. This defines the exact scope of your certification and what controls you are required to have in place. Reference the SABIC CyberTrust Guidelines on the Supplier Portal for control requirements by classification.
Engage an Authorized Audit Firm
Select an audit firm from SABIC’s published list of CyberTrust Authorized Audit Firms on the Supplier Portal. A formal contract with the audit firm must be signed before any control validation begins. Submit your Self-Assessment Report to the audit firm — they will verify your documentation and generate the CyberTrust Audit Summary Report.
Achieve 100% Compliance
The audit firm validates your controls against the SABIC CyberTrust Standard. You must achieve 100% compliance to receive certification — there is no partial pass. If gaps exist, the audit firm issues a non-compliance report with remediation recommendations. You must implement the required controls and submit an updated report for re-validation before certification is granted.
Submit Certificate to SABIC
Once certified, submit the CyberTrust Certificate and the Audit Summary Report directly to SABIC at CyberTrust@sabic.com. Your certificate is now on file and your supplier status is maintained. Certificates are valid for two years from the issue date — set a renewal reminder well before expiry.
Not Sure Where to Start?
GHS offers a free readiness assessment for SABIC suppliers. We identify your compliance gaps and give you a clear, prioritized roadmap to certification — before the auditors do.
Get Your Free Assessment →5 Certificate Rules Every SABIC Supplier Must Know
These are the rules that most frequently catch suppliers off guard — especially those managing multiple contracts or supplier classifications.
- ✅ 100% compliance is non-negotiable. Partial compliance earns a non-compliance report, not a conditional pass. Full remediation and re-audit are required before certification is issued.
- 📅 Certificates expire after two years. Renewal must happen before the expiry date — a lapsed certificate can block supplier access during the renewal gap.
- 📋 New contract, same scope? No new certificate needed. If the new engagement falls within your existing certification classification, your current certificate remains valid.
- ⚠️ New classification = new certificate. If a contract involves a classification not covered in your current certificate, an additional certificate must be obtained and submitted to SABIC before work begins.
- 🗄️ Data access alone triggers mandatory certification. Even if your service type doesn’t appear in the classification table, accessing SABIC data makes General Requirements certification mandatory — not optional.
Why SABIC CyberTrust Certification Is a Strategic Advantage
Many suppliers view compliance programs as a burden — a cost center before getting paid. The SABIC CyberTrust Program is better understood as a market access credential that delivers real operational and business value.
Uninterrupted Contract Access
Without certification, you risk being blocked from supplier onboarding or renewal — regardless of your existing relationship with SABIC.
Competitive Positioning
Certified suppliers signal commitment to cybersecurity — an increasingly decisive criterion in Saudi procurement aligned with Vision 2030.
Reduced Operational Risk
Implementing required controls (MFA, DLP, EDR, segmentation) genuinely reduces exposure to ransomware, data breaches, and supply-chain attacks.
NCA ECC Alignment
The SABIC CyberTrust Standard closely aligns with Saudi Arabia’s NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls, so certification progress doubles as regulatory readiness.
How GHS Guides You Through SABIC Cyber Trust Certification
At GHS (Gray Hat Security), we specialize in taking Saudi-based suppliers through the entire SABIC CyberTrust journey — from day one through certificate submission to SABIC. Our certified team (CISSP, CISM, OSCP) understands both the technical requirements of the standard and the operational realities of businesses operating in the Kingdom.
Gap Assessment & Readiness Report
We benchmark your current cybersecurity posture against the SABIC CyberTrust Standard controls specific to your supplier classification. You receive a prioritized gap report and a realistic, milestone-driven certification timeline — before the audit firm ever steps in.
Controls Implementation
From secure network segmentation and identity & access management to data loss prevention (DLP), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and OT/ICS protections — our engineers implement the required controls in your environment. We don’t just advise; we deploy.
Documentation & Policy Development
We produce all required documentation — cybersecurity policies, incident response plans, access control procedures, and audit evidence packages — tailored to your operations and pre-aligned with SABIC audit expectations.
Audit Preparation & Certificate Submission
We conduct mock audits, prepare your evidence portfolio, and coordinate with the authorized audit firm on your behalf. Once your certificate is issued, we handle submission to SABIC and set up a renewal calendar so your certification never lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
SABIC Cyber Trust certification is not optional for suppliers that want continued access to one of Saudi Arabia’s most important industrial ecosystems. The requirement is clear, the bar is high — 100% compliance — and the timeline can be tight. The good news: with a structured partner, the process is entirely manageable. GHS has helped Saudi businesses turn what seems like a complex audit exercise into a straightforward, milestone-driven certification journey.
Ready to Get SABIC CyberTrust Certified?
Contact GHS today. Our certified team identifies your compliance gaps, builds your remediation plan, and guides you to certification — on time, on budget, with zero surprises.
Talk to a GHS Expert →