regulations

Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC) of the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCA) in Saudi Arabia

Make ECC compliance and cybersecurity your number one priority with Seclore’s data-centric security platform.

Data Classification and Protection

The regulation emphasizes identifying sensitive data while utilising a risk based approach. It also requires the administration of relevant security measures based on data sensitivity.

Access Control

Strict access management policies are mandated, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data.

Incident Response and Recovery

The ECC requires organizations to establish detailed incident response and recovery plans that include data protection measures during and after an attack.

What are the Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC) of the NCA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

The ECC is a document that was released in 2018 and subsequently updated in October 2024. The objective of the document is to establish a minimum cybersecurity baseline for all national organisations. Compliance with the ECC is mandatory for government organizations and private sector entities operating critical national Infrastructure in order to ensure a robust minimum baseline when it comes to cybersecurity.

Thematically the ECC-2:2024 framework is split into 4 main domains and 110 cybersecurity controls and 90 sub controls. The October 2024 update is designed to enhance the clarity and improve security measures across its main domains, ensuring better alignment with current global cybersecurity practices and addressing evolving threats.

Why data-centric security is relevant from an ECC standpoint

The ECC 2024 update by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority is highly relevant from a data security standpoint. The update refines and expands controls related to data protection, emphasizing encryption, access management, and secure storage of sensitive information. It incorporates advanced measures to counteract sophisticated attack vectors, such as those targeting cloud environments and third-party partnerships.

Seclore’s advanced technologies, such as Rights Management and Automated Data Protection, ensure that sensitive data remains encrypted and accessible only to authorized users, even when shared across cloud platforms, external parties, or third-party environments. By integrating seamlessly with existing systems, Seclore enables organizations to enforce ECC requirements like encryption, access control, and secure data sharing, reducing compliance challenges while enhancing overall security.