Building a Cybersecurity Framework: NCA ECC and NIST CSF Compared

Why You Need a Cybersecurity Framework

Every organization faces cyber threats, but growing companies are particularly vulnerable. Limited security budgets, rapid infrastructure changes, and expanding attack surfaces create risk. A cybersecurity framework provides a structured approach to identifying, managing, and reducing that risk — replacing ad-hoc security measures with a systematic, repeatable programme.

Two frameworks stand out for organizations operating in the Middle East and globally: Saudi Arabia’s NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC) and the US-originated NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). Both are widely adopted, well-documented, and provide comprehensive coverage. But they serve different audiences and have different structures.

NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC)

Overview

The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) of Saudi Arabia published the Essential Cybersecurity Controls to establish a minimum cybersecurity baseline for all organizations in the Kingdom. The ECC applies to government entities, critical national infrastructure operators, and their suppliers and contractors.

As of 2026, NCA compliance is mandatory for government and semi-government entities, and strongly expected for private-sector companies in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, energy, telecom) and for any company contracting with government.

Structure

The ECC is organized into five main domains:

1. Governance — Cybersecurity strategy, policies, roles and responsibilities, risk management, compliance, and awareness
2. Defense — Asset management, identity and access management, information system protection, email and web security, network security, and mobile device security
3. Resilience — Business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response
4. Third-Party and Cloud — Third-party cybersecurity requirements, cloud computing security, and industrial control system security
5. Physical Security — Physical protection of information assets and facilities

Each domain contains specific controls, with sub-controls that define implementation requirements. The ECC currently includes over 100 controls across these domains.

Key Strengths

• Aligned with Saudi regulatory requirements (NDMO, PDPL, sector-specific regulations)
• Mandatory for government contractors, creating a clear compliance driver
• Practical, prescriptive controls that are straightforward to implement
• Directly mappable to international frameworks like NIST CSF and ISO 27001

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

Overview

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework was developed by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology and is one of the most widely adopted cybersecurity frameworks globally. Originally designed for critical infrastructure, it is now used by organizations of all sizes and sectors worldwide.

NIST CSF is a voluntary framework in most contexts, though US federal contractors and certain regulated industries may face mandatory adoption requirements.

Structure

NIST CSF 2.0 (released in 2024) is organized into six core functions:

1. Govern — Establish and monitor the organization’s cybersecurity risk management strategy, expectations, and policy
2. Identify — Understand the organization’s assets, risks, and vulnerabilities
3. Protect — Implement safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services
4. Detect — Develop capabilities to identify cybersecurity events
5. Respond — Take action regarding detected cybersecurity incidents
6. Recover — Restore capabilities impaired by cybersecurity incidents

Each function is divided into categories and subcategories, with informative references linking to specific standards (ISO 27001, COBIT, CIS Controls, etc.).

Key Strengths

• Internationally recognized and broadly accepted by regulators, auditors, and customers worldwide
• Risk-based approach that adapts to any organization size or sector
• Comprehensive mapping to other standards and frameworks
• Tiered maturity model (Partial, Risk Informed, Repeatable, Adaptive) that allows incremental improvement
• Extensive free guidance documentation from NIST

NCA ECC vs. NIST CSF: Key Differences

Which Framework Should You Choose?

Choose NCA ECC If:

• You operate in Saudi Arabia or contract with Saudi government entities
• You need to demonstrate compliance with Saudi cybersecurity regulations
• You prefer prescriptive, checklist-style controls with clear implementation requirements
• You are in a regulated Saudi industry (finance, healthcare, energy, telecom)

Choose NIST CSF If:

• You operate internationally and need a globally recognized framework
• You want a flexible, risk-based approach that adapts to your specific context
• You need to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity to international customers, investors, or partners
• You plan to pursue ISO 27001 certification (NIST CSF maps well to ISO 27001)

Use Both If:

• You operate in Saudi Arabia with international business (common for growing companies in the region)
• You want to meet Saudi regulatory requirements while also gaining international credibility

The good news: there is significant overlap between the two frameworks. Organizations that implement one will have substantial coverage of the other.

Getting Started: A Unified Approach

Step 1: Assess Your Starting Point

Conduct a gap assessment against whichever framework is your primary compliance obligation. If you operate in Saudi Arabia, start with NCA ECC. If you are primarily international, start with NIST CSF. Use the assessment results to understand your baseline maturity.

Step 2: Define Your Governance Structure

Both frameworks require cybersecurity governance. Appoint a CISO or security lead, establish a cybersecurity committee, and define roles and responsibilities for security across the organization.

Step 3: Inventory Your Assets

You cannot protect what you do not know you have. Create a comprehensive inventory of hardware, software, data, and network assets. Classify them by criticality and sensitivity.

Step 4: Implement Priority Controls

Based on your gap assessment, prioritize the highest-risk gaps. Common priorities for growing companies include:

• Identity and access management (MFA, role-based access, password policies)
• Endpoint protection (EDR, patching, configuration management)
• Network security (firewalls, segmentation, monitoring)
• Data protection (encryption, backup, DLP)
• Incident response (plan, team, communication procedures)

Step 5: Build Detection and Response Capabilities

Implement security monitoring (SIEM or equivalent), establish an incident response plan, conduct tabletop exercises, and ensure you can detect and respond to threats in a timely manner.

Step 6: Document and Review

Document all policies, procedures, controls, and assessments. Conduct regular reviews — at minimum annually — and update your programme as threats, technology, and business operations evolve.

How SeedGovernance Helps

SeedGovernance supports both NCA ECC and NIST CSF with pre-built policy templates, control mappings, gap assessment wizards, and operational modules for incident management, risk management, and vendor oversight. Our platform shows you exactly where your gaps are and gives you the tools to close them — regardless of which framework you are implementing.

Start your free compliance assessment to see where you stand against NCA ECC, NIST CSF, or both.