Technology Risk Advisory

Gain a clear, independent view of your technology risks — and strengthen the controls, compliance and resilience your organisation depends on.

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technology risk saudi

Technology risk advisory in Saudi Arabia

Technology now sits at the centre of how organisations operate, compete and serve their stakeholders. With that dependence comes growing exposure to cyber threats, regulatory obligations, data misuse, control failures and disruption to critical operations.

For boards and executive management, the question is no longer simply whether to invest in technology, but whether that technology can be trusted.

BDO Saudi Arabia's Technology Risk Advisory practice helps organisations understand and manage technology-related risk with greater confidence. We provide independent, objective assurance over technology risks and help management establish the governance, controls and resilience needed to keep those risks within acceptable limits.

Our approach gives leadership a clear, evidence-based view of the organisation's technology risk environment and a practical path towards stronger governance, compliance and operational resilience.

We combine technical knowledge with a disciplined, standards-led approach. Our work is grounded in recognised Saudi and international frameworks and tailored to each organisation's regulatory environment, sector and risk appetite. Whether the requirement is a one-time independent assessment or an ongoing programme of assurance, our focus is on findings that are clear, defensible and practical for decision-makers.

Our technology risk advisory services

BDO Saudi Arabia supports organisations across the key areas of technology assurance, cybersecurity, data governance, risk management and business resilience.

  • IT Audit & Assurance
  • Cybersecurity & OT Security
  • Data Privacy & Governance
  • Technology & Digital Risk (Governance, Risk & Compliance)
  • Business Resilience

Where does your organisation need stronger technology risk management?

IT Audit & Assurance

BDO Saudi Arabia provides independent IT Audit & Assurance to help boards, audit committees and management understand whether technology controls are appropriately designed, operating effectively and supporting reliable operations and financial reporting.

How BDO can help:

  • IT internal audit delivered as a co-sourced or fully outsourced function
  • IT general controls reviews across access, change and operations management
  • application and automated business process control reviews
  • pre- and post-implementation reviews of major systems and technology projects
  • IT controls support for external audit and financial reporting
  • service organisation control reporting, including ISAE 3402, SOC 1 and SOC 2

Applicable standards and frameworks: COBIT, ISO/IEC 27001, ISAE 3402 and applicable NCA and SAMA requirements.

Cybersecurity & OT Security

BDO helps organisations in Saudi Arabia assess their cybersecurity posture, identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security across both information technology and operational technology environments. Our approach supports organisations in managing cyber risk while addressing relevant Saudi and international cybersecurity requirements.

How BDO can help:

  • cybersecurity maturity and gap assessments against national and international frameworks
  • NCA compliance assessments covering ECC, CCC, TCC, CSCC, OTCC and DCC
  • SAMA Cyber Security Framework assessments for financial sector entities
  • operational technology and industrial control system security reviews
  • penetration testing, vulnerability assessments and red teaming
  • security governance, policy development and control design
  • third-party and supply chain cybersecurity assessments
  • ISO/IEC 27001 readiness assessments and support towards certification with accredited certification partners

Applicable standards and frameworks: NCA ECC, CCC, TCC, CSCC, OTCC and DCC, SAMA Cyber Security Framework, ISO/IEC 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework and IEC 62443.

Data Privacy & Governance

BDO Saudi Arabia helps organisations strengthen data governance and address their obligations under the Kingdom's data protection and data management requirements, including the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and national standards issued by SDAIA and the National Data Management Office.

How BDO can help:

  • PDPL readiness assessments and implementation support
  • data governance frameworks aligned with NDMO national data management standards
  • data classification, data mapping and records-of-processing development
  • privacy policies, notices and consent management
  • data protection impact assessments
  • data governance roles and operating models
  • data protection and compliance controls using Microsoft Purview and related technologies
  • ISO/IEC 27701 readiness and certification support with accredited certification partners

Applicable standards and frameworks: Saudi PDPL and its Implementing Regulations, SDAIA / NDMO National Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards and ISO/IEC 27701.

Technology & Digital Risk

BDO helps boards and management identify, govern and manage technology risks beyond cybersecurity, including technology governance, third-party and cloud risk, regulatory compliance and risks arising from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

How BDO can help:

  • IT and technology governance frameworks and operating models
  • technology risk assessments and risk register development
  • governance, risk and compliance frameworks and tooling support
  • third-party and vendor risk management
  • cloud risk and controls assessments
  • AI governance and responsible AI frameworks
  • regulatory compliance mapping and monitoring
  • ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO 31000 readiness support

Applicable standards and frameworks: ISO 31000, ISO/IEC 42001, COBIT and applicable NCA, SAMA, CST and SDAIA requirements.

Business Resilience

BDO Saudi Arabia helps organisations strengthen business continuity and operational resilience so critical services can withstand disruption, recover in a controlled manner and continue to support customers and stakeholders.

How BDO can help:

  • business continuity management frameworks and programmes
  • business impact analysis and risk assessment
  • business continuity and disaster recovery planning
  • IT service continuity and recovery strategy
  • continuity plan testing, exercising and improvement
  • ISO 22301 readiness and certification support with accredited certification partners
  • alignment with the SAMA Business Continuity Management Framework for financial sector entities

Applicable standards and frameworks: ISO 22301 and the SAMA Business Continuity Management Framework.

bdo saudi arabia team

Standards and frameworks

Our Technology Risk Advisory services are aligned with regulatory requirements applicable in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, together with leading international standards. This combination helps organisations address local regulatory expectations while applying globally recognised approaches to technology governance, security, privacy, risk and resilience.

National regulations and frameworks

National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA)

  • Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC)
  • Cloud Cybersecurity Controls (CCC)
  • Telework Cybersecurity Controls (TCC)
  • Critical Systems Cybersecurity Controls (CSCC)
  • Operational Technology Cybersecurity Controls (OTCC)
  • Data Cybersecurity Controls (DCC)

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)

  • Cyber Security Framework
  • Information Technology Governance Framework
  • Business Continuity Management Framework
  • Financial Entities Ethical Red Teaming Framework
  • Financial Sector Cyber Threat Intelligence Principles
  • Counter-Fraud Framework

Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST)

  • Cybersecurity Regulatory Framework (CRF)

Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) – National Data Management Office (NDMO)

  • National Data Management and Personal Data Protection Standards
  • Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and its Implementing Regulations
  • National data policies, including data classification and data sharing

Digital Government Authority (DGA)

  • Digital government policies, standards and regulatory requirements for public sector entities

Capital Market Authority (CMA)

  • Corporate governance requirements and technology and cybersecurity obligations applicable to listed companies and capital market institutions

International standards

  • ISO/IEC 27001 – Information Security Management Systems
  • ISO/IEC 42001 – Artificial Intelligence Management Systems
  • ISO/IEC 27701 – Privacy Information Management Systems
  • ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management Systems
  • ISO 31000 – Risk Management
technology vision 2030
technology vision 2030

How confident are you in your technology risk environment?

Gain an independent view of your risks, controls and regulatory priorities, and identify the practical steps needed to strengthen governance, security and resilience.

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