SAMA CTIP Compliance Audits and Consultancy Services

What is SAMA CTIP:

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) Cyber Threat Intelligence Principles (CTIP) framework is a regulatory initiative designed to enhance the resilience of financial institutions in the Kingdom against the ever-growing spectrum of cyber threats. As part of SAMA’s cybersecurity requirements, SAMA CTIP mandates that financial entities establish structured processes for collecting, analyzing, sharing, and acting upon intelligence related to cyber threats.

Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, and financial institutions remain one of the most attractive targets for threat actors. Cyber Threat Intelligence Principles under SAMA equips organizations with the knowledge and capabilities to anticipate cyberattacks, mitigate risks, and respond effectively to incidents. It transforms raw data into actionable intelligence, enabling organizations to make informed decisions, strengthen defenses, and comply with regulatory expectations.

In short, SAMA CTIP compliance ensures that financial organizations in Saudi Arabia are not only regulatory-compliant but also proactive in detecting and preventing cyberattacks before they disrupt critical services.

To Whom Does SAMA CTIP Apply?

SAMA CTIP requirements apply to all organizations regulated by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority. This includes but is not limited to:

Banks and Financial Institutions – Protecting core banking services and customer data against cybercriminals.
Insurance Companies – Safeguarding financial information and ensuring uninterrupted claims and policy services.
Finance Companies – Maintaining secure lending, investment, and credit operations.
Payment Service Providers and Fintech Firms – Securing digital transactions, mobile payments, and emerging technologies.
Any SAMA-Regulated Entity – All licensed organizations must adopt Cyber Threat Intelligence practices to align with SAMA standards.

By applying SAMA CTIP, these organizations strengthen both their internal security posture and the Kingdom’s broader financial sector resilience.

CTIP Domains or Principles under SAMA

The SAMA CTIP framework defines several domains of Cyber Threat Intelligence, each with its own purpose and objectives. Together, they form a layered defense strategy:

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Core Cyber Threat Intelligence

Core CTIP focuses on building the foundational processes, governance, and capabilities needed to establish a threat intelligence program. It includes defining roles, responsibilities, and integrating CTIP into the organization’s broader cybersecurity strategy. Core CTIP ensures that intelligence is not ad hoc but systematic, structured, and continuously improved

Strategic Cyber Threat Intelligence

Strategic CTIP provides a high-level view of the threat landscape. It helps senior management and decision-makers understand the motivations, capabilities, and objectives of threat actors targeting financial institutions. By offering insights into geopolitical trends, emerging risks, and industry-specific threats, Strategic CTIP enables organizations to align their cybersecurity investments and strategies with long-term goals.

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Operational Cyber Threat Intelligence

Operational CTIP translates intelligence into actionable measures for day-to-day operations. It identifies current campaigns, attack techniques, and adversary behaviors that may directly affect the organization. This level of intelligence is shared with security operations centers (SOCs), incident response teams, and IT departments to enable proactive defense measures.

Technical & Tactical Cyber Threat Intelligence

Technical and tactical CTI provide the most granular form of intelligence. It includes specific indicators of compromise (IOCs), malicious IP addresses, phishing domains, malware hashes, and vulnerabilities being exploited in real time. This intelligence is critical for incident response teams, intrusion detection systems, and threat hunting activities, allowing organizations to block, mitigate, and neutralize attacks before they cause damage.

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The CTI Lifecycle

A strong Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) program, as outlined in SAMA CTIP, is not a one-time activity but a continuous cycle of gathering, refining, and sharing intelligence. The CTI lifecycle provides a structured approach to ensure intelligence is reliable, actionable, and timely.

Collection – This is the first stage, where raw data is gathered from diverse sources. These may include internal logs from firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and SIEM tools, as well as external sources such as threat intelligence feeds, industry Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs), and government advisories.
Processing – Once collected, data must be processed to filter out noise and irrelevant information. This involves organizing, correlating, and structuring the data into formats suitable for analysis. Processing helps reduce information overload and ensures analysts focus only on meaningful indicators.
Analysis – In this stage, raw data is transformed into contextualized intelligence. Analysts identify tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by threat actors, detect potential attack campaigns, and evaluate how threats could impact the organization. This is where Cyber Threat Intelligence becomes actionable.
Dissemination – The final step ensures that intelligence is shared with the right stakeholders. This may include internal teams such as SOCs and incident response units, as well as external entities like regulators, ISACs, and peer organizations. Dissemination supports collective defense, enabling the broader financial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia to be more resilient against cyberattacks.

Our Methodology for SAMA CTIP Compliance

We offer a structured approach to help organizations achieve SAMA CRFR compliance through comprehensive audit, consultancy, and advisory services.

Our methodology includes:

We deliver SAMA CTIP consultancy, audit, and compliance services through a structured methodology designed to ensure both regulatory alignment and effective threat management. Our approach includes:

Gap Assessment – Reviewing current threat intelligence capabilities, governance, and processes against SAMA CTIP requirements.
Framework Development – Establishing policies, governance structures, and workflows for intelligence gathering, analysis, and sharing.
Integration – Aligning CTI with SOCs, SIEM solutions, incident response teams, and risk management processes.
Data Sources & Automation – Identifying reliable intelligence feeds, industry collaborations, and automation tools for real-time monitoring.
Threat Analysis & Reporting – Establishing processes to convert raw threat data into actionable intelligence for both technical teams and executives.
Training & Awareness – Conducting workshops and awareness sessions to ensure all stakeholders—from analysts to management—understand their roles in CTI.
Testing & Assurance – Performing audits, scenario testing, and maturity assessments to validate CTIP effectiveness and readiness.
Regulatory Compliance Audit – Preparing assurance reports to demonstrate alignment with SAMA CTIP to regulators and stakeholders.

This holistic methodology ensures that Cyber Threat Intelligence is embedded not only as a compliance requirement but as a core element of your organization’s cybersecurity culture.

Why You Need SAMA CTIP Compliance

Implementing and complying with SAMA CTIP provides multiple benefits beyond regulatory alignment:

Regulatory Compliance – Avoid fines and penalties by meeting mandatory SAMA requirements.
Proactive Defense – Anticipate cyberattacks before they occur, instead of only reacting after incidents.
Informed Decision-Making – Provide leadership with intelligence that supports smarter cybersecurity investments and strategies.
Risk Reduction – Minimize financial, reputational, and operational risks from cyberattacks.
Enhanced Incident Response – Equip security teams with actionable intelligence to detect, respond, and recover faster.
Collaboration & Intelligence Sharing – Participate in collective defense initiatives by sharing intelligence across the financial sector.
Customer Trust – Demonstrate resilience and security, thereby strengthening trust with clients and stakeholders.

In an environment where cyber threats are constantly evolving, SAMA CTIP compliance is not just mandatory—it is vital for survival, resilience, and competitive advantage.

Why Choose Us

Partnering with us for SAMA CTIP compliance audit and consultancy services ensures that you are working with experienced professionals who understand both local regulatory requirements and global best practices.

Specialized Expertise in SAMA Standards

Extensive experience with SAMA CTIP, ITGF, CRFR, CSF, BCMF, and MVC, ensuring deep understanding of regulatory expectations.

Comprehensive End-to-End Services

From gap assessments and remediation planning to audits and ongoing advisory, we provide complete compliance support.

Tailored Compliance Strategies

Customized solutions that align security and resilience requirements with your unique business model and operational needs.

Proven Track Record in the Saudi Financial Sector

Trusted by fintech startups, financial institutions, and regulated entities across the Kingdom.

Practical and Business-Oriented Approach

Recommendations designed to achieve compliance while minimizing disruption and supporting long-term growth.

Focus on Sustainability

We help embed IT governance into your organizational culture for long-term success

Fintech Saudi and GRC360 :

Fintech Saudi, launched in April 2018 by the Saudi Central Bank in partnership with the Capital Market Authority, is dedicated to catalyzing the growth of the financial services technology (fintech) industry in Saudi Arabia. As the Saudi Arabian Financial Technology Initiative, Fintech Saudi aims to transform the Kingdom into an innovative fintech hub with a thriving and responsible ecosystem.

By fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth within the fintech sector, Fintech Saudi facilitates partnerships between startups, financial institutions, regulators, and other stakeholders.

This initiative drives digital transformation in the financial sector, enhances financial inclusion, and positions Saudi Arabia as a leading fintech hub in the region. Fintech Saudi provides comprehensive support to fintech startups, offering regulatory guidance, conducting research, and organizing events and programs to nurture the fintech community in the Kingdom.