The financial sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation towards compliance in 2026. SAMA CSF updates the red team requirements for banks and fintechs. All institutions subject to the Saudi Central Bank should be able to demonstrate their self-defense capability.
Therefore, red teaming isn’t only a best practice; it’s a necessity. Regulators have stopped settling for paper documentation, and won’t unless it’s accompanied by other forms of effective security. Rather, they need proof based upon realistic simulated attacks on “live” systems.
This blog breaks down what is expected of institutions today by SAMA CSF. You’ll realize exactly how to prepare for deadlines to appear in a secret manner. In addition, we will be showcasing actions for full sustainable compliance.
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Understanding SAMA CSF and Its 2026 Mandate
SAMA CSF is short for the Saudi Central Bank Cyber Security Framework. This is the framework for financial institutions’ risk management and cyber risk reduction. Also, it does not need a single audit, but continuous red team evaluations. Banks need to try to simulate real-world attacks to see how they would cope in reality. This means that security forces have to constantly remain vigilant. The framework also calls for purple teaming with the attackers and defenders.
Consequently, compliance requires coordinated testing, rather than single red team exercises. This change is in response to increasing risks to the Kingdom’s financial system. Further, regulators are looking for the day-to-day testing process to become a best practice, rather than an event. Thus, security maturity is not a “checkbox” task, but is a continuous process.
Mandatory Red Team Requirements for Saudi Banks & Fintech in 2026
Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is on the brink of a major compliance transformation in 2026. Now, banks and fintechs must undergo strict red team testing as required by SAMA CSF. All institutions under the Saudi Central Bank’s regulations will need to be very resilient.
Red teaming is therefore no longer optional but a mandatory practice for regulators. The scope, urgency, and impact of the framework on financial institutions that now operate throughout the Kingdom are introduced here.
Core Red Team Requirements Under SAMA CSF
Institutions are subject to several key tests under SAMA CSF. First of all, red teams need to conduct regular tests of external attack surfaces. Then, simulated penetration tests are conducted on the internal network infrastructure. These are then subjected to a tough simulated penetration test of the internal network infrastructure.
As a result, the reports generated by the red team will be important evidence of compliance with the official reports. Regulators want to see test results accompanied by details of the methodology. So this is where it’s important to be open and honest, much more than being technically proficient.
Who Must Comply with SAMA CSF in 2026
All banks, as licensed by the Saudi Central Bank, are subject to it. Also, the payment companies that work with fintech companies are subject to the SAMA CSF standards too. The compliance requirements are also of the same nature for insurance companies and financing companies. This has led to the regulatory armour extending far beyond just banks.
Some smaller fintechs are not aware of the resources that are needed for this mandate. The potential penalties, however, for failure to comply are fines, limitations on the license, and a permanent negative impact on reputation. Hence, it is better that one prepares in the beginning to avoid expenditure and unnecessary operational hassles later. Startups need to plan for compliance from the beginning when they enter the Saudi market.
Preparing Your Institution for SAMA CSF Audits
Begin with a gap analysis and compare regulations to the benchmarks. Once you have remediated, then focus on remediation that is most significant in terms of risk and actual exploitability. Maintain qualified and experienced red team vendors who have regional banking experience. In the meantime, make sure to train internal teams so they can interpret and take action as soon as they receive the findings.
Also be sure to plan assessments well in advance of the actual audit date. This buffer to give time to solve problems before regulators come calling. In the end, being proactive rather than reactive when approaching deadlines is better than scrambling when caught off-guard. Incident Response should be conducted in addition to Red Team rehearsals at Institutions. This way, there is a synergy between detection and reaction, not between detection and nothing.
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Choosing the Right Red Team Partner
Many security vendors aren’t familiar with the particulars of a region. Check which firms have experience in the Saudi banking regulations and in the culture of Saudi Arabia. Both IT Butler e-Services and METCO are highly qualified in the region.
In the meantime, some tools have been proven globally, such as CrowdStrike, IBM, and Darktrace. Sectona and Resecurity enrich red team engagements with enhanced threat intelligence. Finally, the best partner will have local knowledge coupled with extensive technical expertise. Super smart now and you’ll save money later for rework nearer to your audit date.
Conclusion
You don’t have to plan for compliance with SAMA CSF; you have to comply now. Red teaming should be an integral part of banks and fintechs’ security operations today. Purple team collaboration can be a powerful tool for improving the capabilities of detection and response. The risks of the lateness of the preparation involve fines, limitations in license, and damage to reputation. So, don’t delay any longer; do a gap analysis now and select experienced regional partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How to define SAMA CSF?
SAMA CSF is Saudi Arabia’s framework for the cybersecurity risk management of financial institutions.
2. Is red teaming mandatory for all Saudi fintechs?
Sure enough, the red team obligations are fully applicable to licensed fintechs that are providing a payments service.
3. How often should institutions run red team assessments?
The assessment should be conducted continuously instead of conducting it once a year in order to meet regulatory requirements appropriately.
