Risk & Governance Expert (NCA) – ECC Controls 1–10

This program provides an in-depth exploration of the first ten Essential Cybersecurity Controls mandated by the National Cybersecurity Authority of Saudi Arabia. These controls form the foundation of the ECC framework and are designed to instill robust cybersecurity governance across organizations operating within the Kingdom. The course has been carefully crafted for governance, risk, and compliance professionals who seek to transform regulatory requirements into practical actions that strengthen organizational resilience. Participants will explore each of the ten controls in detail, understand their intent and scope, and gain actionable knowledge on how to implement them within real organizational environments. Emphasis is placed on contextualizing these controls within the Saudi Arabian landscape, where Vision 2030, digital transformation, and national resilience intersect. By the end of the training, learners will have mastered how to align strategies, policies, and risk management frameworks with ECC requirements while embedding cybersecurity into projects, human resources, and organizational culture.

Course Objectives

• Interpret the mandate and role of the NCA and its ECC framework within Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity environment.
  
  

• Construct cybersecurity strategies that align organizational goals with national directives.s
  
  

• Establish governance and management structures that provide oversight and accountability.ty.
  
  

• Formulate and enforce policies and procedures that translate security intent into tangible practice.
  
  

• Define clear cybersecurity roles and responsibilities across organizational hierarchies.
  
  

• Apply risk management methodologies to identify, assess, and mitigate cyber risk.s
  
  

• Embed security into project management lifecycles from design to decommissioning. n.g
  
  

• Conduct reviews and audits that measure compliance and effectiveness.
  
  

• Ensure organizational compliance with relevant laws, standards, and regulations.
  
  

• Design training programs and awareness campaigns to cultivate a cybersecurity-conscious culture
  
  

• Integrate cybersecurity requirements seamlessly into human resources processes.s
  
  

• Enhance organizational resilience by embedding proactive measures against emerging cyber threats
  
  

• Bridge the gap between international cybersecurity best practices and Saudi regulatory expectations.
  
  

• Develop critical analysis skills to evaluate organizational readiness for regulatory inspections.
  
  

• Strengthen collaboration between leadership, technical teams, and the external auditor.s
  
  

• Promote cybersecurity as a business enabler that supports innovation and operational continuity ty.
  
  

• Apply practical frameworks to measure the maturity and effectiveness of cybersecurity initiatives.
  
  

• Analyze case studies of compliance successes and failures to derive practical lessons.
  
  

• Develop the ability to communicate cybersecurity risks effectively to non-technical executives.s
  
  

• Build strategic foresight to anticipate regulatory changes and evolving cyber risks.
  
  

Course Requirements

• Awareness of cybersecurity fundamentals such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability
  
  

• Professional background in IT, auditing, compliance, or governance recommended
  
  

• Basic familiarity with organizational operations, including HR, project management, or procurement
  
  

• Interest in Saudi Arabian cybersecurity developments, Vision 2030, and regulatory frameworks
  
  

• Willingness to engage in interactive activities, assessments, and real-world case studies
  
  

• Ability to analyze organizational processes and identify cybersecurity integration points
  
  

• Openness to multidisciplinary collaboration across technical and non-technical departments
  
  

• Commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving cyber threats
  
  

• Capacity to interpret regulatory documentation and translate it into actionable steps
  
  

• Readiness to participate in scenario-based exercises that simulate real compliance challenges
  
  

• Motivation to develop leadership skills in governance, risk, and compliance functions
  
  

• Familiarity with risk evaluation and basic auditing principles
  
  

• Comfort in using structured frameworks for problem-solving and decision-making
  
  

• Strong communication skills for documenting and presenting compliance findings
  
  

• Curious to explore how national cybersecurity requirements align with international standards
  
  

• Readiness to contribute to organizational change initiatives that integrate cybersecurity into the culture
  
  

Course Content

Module 1: Awareness of Cybersecurity Fundamentals

This introductory module ensures learners are grounded in the core principles that guide every cybersecurity framework. The triad of confidentiality, integrity, and availability is presented as the anchor of all controls. Learners will explore real-world examples of how breaches against these principles affect organizations, such as data leaks that violate confidentiality, unauthorized alterations that compromise integrity, or system outages that undermine availability. The module stresses the interconnectedness of these principles with governance and risk management, preparing learners to recognize their embodiment within ECC requirements. Short case activities encourage participants to identify which principle is most at risk in scenarios such as phishing attempts, ransomware incidents, and insider misuse. By mastering these fundamentals, learners establish a lens through which all subsequent modules will be understood.

Module 2: Cybersecurity Strategy (ECC 1-1)

A coherent cybersecurity strategy serves as the foundation of compliance and resilience. This module instructs learners on how to construct strategies that articulate vision, guiding principles, and measurable objectives. The process begins with identifying organizational assets and mapping them against potential threats and vulnerabilities. Learners will practice linking business objectives to cybersecurity goals, ensuring that strategies are not isolated from operational realities. Within the Saudi Arabian context, special attention is placed on aligning strategies with the directives of the National Cybersecurity Authority and national initiatives such as Vision 2030. Through guided activities, learners will draft simplified strategy outlines with three major objectives: one focusing on internal business protection, one on national alignment, and one on regulatory compliance. This exercise demonstrates the necessity of bridging organizational needs with national imperatives while creating a living document that evolves with the dynamic threat landscape.

Module 3: Cybersecurity Management (ECC 1-2)

Once a strategy is defined, effective management structures must be established to ensure its execution. This module emphasizes governance mechanisms such as steering committees, escalation channels, and designated leadership roles. Learners will explore models of centralized versus distributed management and examine their applicability within different organizational structures. Scenarios illustrate how weak management can result in fragmented defenses, while robust governance ensures clarity and responsiveness. The module also highlights the necessity of integrating management with national reporting channels to support collective defense. Participants will engage in an exercise where they design a management structure for a hypothetical organization, defining the roles of executives, middle management, and technical staff. The emphasis is on ensuring accountability, oversight, and timely communication between levels. By the end of this module, learners will appreciate how management translates strategic intentions into sustained operational practices.

Module 4: Cybersecurity Policies and Procedures (ECC 1-3)

Policies and procedures are the codified expression of organizational intent and practical action. This module trains learners to develop clear, concise, and enforceable policies that cover areas such as access control, incident response, encryption, and vendor management. Learners will examine examples of weakly written policies that lead to confusion and compare them with robust policies that establish clarity. Procedures are then explored as the step-by-step guides that make policy compliance possible at the operational level. The importance of documentation, communication, and version control is emphasized. Practical activities include drafting a short access control policy statement and then converting it into a procedural checklist. By internalizing this distinction, learners will understand how policies provide direction while procedures anchor that direction in daily reality. The module underscores that in Saudi Arabia, policies and procedures must be enforceable, auditable, and adaptable to technological and regulatory evolution.

Module 5: Cybersecurity Roles and Responsibilities (ECC 1-4)

Ambiguity in roles leads to accountability gaps. This module guides learners in assigning cybersecurity responsibilities across the organizational hierarchy. Topics include executive accountability, segregation of duties to reduce insider risks, and the embedding of responsibilities across departments such as HR, finance, and IT. Learners will study role matrices that demonstrate clear allocation of tasks such as incident reporting, access provisioning, and audit coordination. Exercises include creating a role-responsibility mapping for their organizations, emphasizing both technical and non-technical roles. The Saudi regulatory environment mandates clear executive accountability, often requiring the appointment of a Chief Information Security Officer. However, the module highlights that cybersecurity is not confined to specialists; every employee must be aware of their duties. By completing this module, learners will understand how to transform cybersecurity from a specialized function into an organizational ethos supported by clarity of responsibility.

Module 6: Cybersecurity Risk Management (ECC 1-5)

Risk management is the compass guiding organizational decisions in cybersecurity. This module introduces learners to structured approaches for identifying, evaluating, and treating risks. Using internationally recognized frameworks such as ISO 27005 and NIST while ensuring adaptation to Saudi regulatory contexts, learners will analyze assets, identify vulnerabilities, and assess impacts. They will practice developing risk registers and prioritizing treatment strategies based on cost-benefit considerations. Emphasis is placed on the iterative nature of risk management, with continuous monitoring required to adapt to evolving threats. Case studies illustrate how risk assessments inform executive decision-making and resource allocation. By the end of the module, learners will be capable of designing practical risk treatment plans and integrating them into wider governance processes, ensuring that risk awareness becomes embedded in organizational culture.

Module 7: Cybersecurity in Information and Technology Project Management (ECC 1-6)

Projects are crucibles where vulnerabilities can be introduced if security is neglected. This module underscores the necessity of embedding cybersecurity into the project lifecycle from conception to retirement. Learners will study secure development practices, threat modeling during design, and rigorous testing before deployment. They will explore how to integrate security checkpoints into project management methodologies such as waterfall and agile. Activities include mapping security considerations across a sample project plan, highlighting where assessments and approvals should occur. In the Saudi context, rapid digital transformation makes this control especially critical, as modernization must be pursued without compromising security. Learners will see how neglecting security in project phases leads to expensive retrofits and vulnerabilities, while early integration ensures resilience. By completing this module, participants will gain the ability to weave cybersecurity seamlessly into the rhythm of project execution.

Module 8: Periodical Cybersecurity Review and Audit (ECC 1-7)

Periodic review and an independent audit are essential for validating effectiveness. This module explores how organizations can establish review cycles, perform self-assessments, and invite independent auditors for impartial evaluation. Learners will understand the distinction between reviews that focus on internal compliance and audits that provide external validation. Topics include audit planning, evidence collection, reporting, and remediation tracking. Learners will practice analyzing a sample audit report and developing corrective action plans. The Saudi regulatory environment emphasizes documentation and executive oversight, requiring that reviews not only occur but also translate into measurable improvements. By embedding cyclical reviews and audits into governance, organizations ensure that controls are not merely implemented but continuously refined in response to findings and emerging risks.

Module 9: Compliance with Cybersecurity Standards, Laws, and Regulations (ECC 1-8)

Compliance is a dynamic requirement, not a one-time exercise. This module examines how organizations can align with Saudi cybersecurity laws, ECC mandates, and relevant international standards. Learners will analyze the overlaps and distinctions between national regulations and frameworks such as ISO and NIST. Practical tasks include mapping organizational processes to regulatory obligations and identifying compliance gaps. Emphasis is placed on developing monitoring systems that ensure continuous adherence, rather than reactive compliance during audits. Learners will explore how non-compliance leads to legal, reputational, and operational consequences, while proactive compliance strengthens trust with stakeholders. By the end of this module, participants will understand how to establish compliance mechanisms that are sustainable, auditable, and fully integrated into governance frameworks.

Module 10: Cybersecurity Awareness and Training Program (ECC 1-9)

Human behavior remains one of the most significant vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. This module trains learners to design awareness campaigns and training programs that resonate with employees across all organizational levels. Topics include adult learning principles, communication strategies, and the design of engaging materials. Learners will examine case examples of successful awareness programs and analyze why certain approaches fail to gain traction. Exercises include drafting a communication plan for a phishing awareness campaign. In the Saudi context, cultivating a culture of security is essential as organizations transform digitally. By completing this module, learners will gain the ability to create training initiatives that do not simply disseminate information but foster lasting behavioral change.

Module 11: Cybersecurity in Human Resources (ECC 1-10)

People are both enablers and potential sources of vulnerability. This final module examines how cybersecurity must be integrated into human resources processes. Learners will explore requirements for recruitment, background checks, role changes, and termination. Special focus is placed on ensuring that employees understand their responsibilities from the moment of onboarding and that access rights are promptly revoked upon departure. Exercises include designing HR checklists that align with ECC requirements. The module emphasizes the cultural dimension of HR processes, ensuring that cybersecurity is not perceived as a barrier but as an inherent component of employee lifecycle management. By the end of this module, learners will recognize the critical role HR plays in sustaining organizational resilience under the ECC framework.

Skills You Will Gain Beyond Certification

This course is designed not only to prepare learners for compliance with the initial ten NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls but also to instill transferable skills that extend far beyond the confines of certification. The knowledge gained becomes a cornerstone for lifelong professional development in governance, risk, and cybersecurity management. Participants will emerge with sharpened decision-making abilities, enhanced leadership competencies, and a refined understanding of the complexities of national and international cybersecurity landscapes.

The skills developed include not just technical literacy but also interpersonal acumen that is essential for bridging communication between executives, auditors, and technical staff. Students will cultivate foresight in anticipating risks, sagacity in interpreting regulatory texts, and resilience in managing compliance challenges that arise in diverse organizational contexts.

Key skills you will gain:

• Ability to design comprehensive governance structures aligned with NCA mandates
  
  

• Capacity to translate abstract regulatory requirements into pragmatic security measures
  
  

• Skill in orchestrating multi-departmental collaboration for cybersecurity initiatives
  
  

• Proficiency in creating and sustaining a cybersecurity culture across organizational hierarchies
  
  

• Expertise in analyzing audit outcomes and transforming them into continuous improvement strategies
  
  

• Competence in integrating cybersecurity considerations into procurement, HR, and project management processes
  
  

• Development of persuasive communication to articulate risks to senior leadership
  
  

• Capability to evaluate international standards and benchmark them against Saudi Arabian regulatory needs
  
  

• Strategic thinking to align cybersecurity frameworks with long-term business goals
  
  

• Analytical skills to forecast cyber risk trends and propose preventive measures
  
  

This set of skills allows graduates to function as more than compliance practitioners. They become trusted advisors who can guide organizations with confidence through the labyrinth of cybersecurity regulations and emerging threats.

Career Advancement Through Certification

Obtaining mastery of the first ten NCA ECC controls positions professionals to significantly accelerate their career trajectory. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where compliance with the National Cybersecurity Authority is mandatory for both government entities and critical national infrastructure operators, certified expertise in ECC controls becomes a rare and valuable credential.

Career advancement is not limited to one sector. Professionals who complete this training gain credibility across industries such as banking, energy, telecommunications, healthcare, and government services. The course signals to employers that an individual not only understands regulatory requirements but also possesses the ability to operationalize them within complex organizational frameworks.

Career pathways supported by this course include:

• Cybersecurity Governance and Risk Manager
  
  

• Compliance Officer within regulated entities
  
  

• Internal Auditor specializing in IT and cybersecurity
  
  

• Project Manager with a security-focused portfolio
  
  

• Information Security Officer or Manager
  
  

• HR Manager responsible for integrating security protocols into employee lifecycles
  
  

• Consultant advising organizations on national and international cybersecurity mandates
  
  

Beyond direct job roles, participants enhance their employability by developing a reputation for reliability and precision in interpreting and applying regulatory expectations. In a professional environment where regulatory adherence intersects with national security imperatives, this course functions as a powerful differentiator on résumés and professional profiles.

Employers increasingly seek candidates who can prove their alignment with the Vision 2030 transformation agenda, where cybersecurity resilience is embedded into digital modernization. Completing this training assures employers that graduates are ready to safeguard critical initiatives and maintain trust across the digital ecosystem.

Course Benefits

This course extends a wide spectrum of benefits that touch upon professional growth, organizational compliance, and personal development. Participants are not merely absorbing theoretical knowledge but are gaining actionable insights that can be directly applied to workplace realities.

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive immersion into the NCA ECC 1-1 to 1-10 controls
  
  

• Structured exposure to the Saudi Arabian cybersecurity regulatory landscape
  
  

• Enhancement of strategic thinking by linking business objectives with compliance obligations
  
  

• Access to methodologies for embedding risk management in everyday organizational operations
  
  

• Growth of leadership and decision-making capacities in high-stakes cybersecurity contexts
  
  

• Opportunity to build cross-sector awareness, including critical infrastructure requirements
  
  

• Development of training and awareness program design capabilities
  
  

• Acquisition of specialized knowledge applicable to HR, auditing, and project management functions
  
  

• Practical frameworks to assess organizational maturity and compliance readiness
  
  

• Strengthening of adaptability skills to respond to shifting national cybersecurity directives
  
  

On a personal level, learners benefit from heightened confidence in handling regulatory discussions, clarity in addressing compliance gaps, and empowerment to propose enhancements to organizational security postures. The course serves as a foundation for future specialization, such as advanced ECC modules or international frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST.

Student Support

A distinctive feature of this course is the support infrastructure offered to learners. Rather than presenting information in isolation, participants are guided through every stage of their learning journey. The support system ensures that no learner is left behind, regardless of professional background or prior familiarity with cybersecurity regulations.

Forms of support include:

• Access to supplementary reading materials contextualized for the Saudi Arabian regulatory environment
  
  

• Discussion forums to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and sharing of organizational perspectives
  
  

• Regular live sessions with instructors to clarify complex concepts and implementation strategies
  
  

• Case-based exercises that simulate real compliance scenarios within Saudi industries
  
  

• One-to-one mentoring opportunities for learners requiring targeted guidance
  
  

• Practical assignments designed to reinforce the translation of theory into organizational practice
  
  

• Continuous feedback channels to ensure clarity and progression throughout the course
  
  

Support also extends to career development. Learners are given insights into how to position their newly acquired skills in the job market, how to present their certification to employers, and how to integrate compliance expertise into broader professional growth strategies. The course creates a learning environment that balances rigorous academic content with accessible guidance.

Updates and Enhancements

Cybersecurity is not a static discipline. Regulations evolve, threats diversify, and technologies transform. To ensure the course retains relevance, a framework of updates and enhancements is woven into its structure. Participants benefit from continuous refinement of content, reflecting both changes within the NCA ECC framework and broader developments in global cybersecurity governance.

Enhancements offered:

• Periodic revision of course materials to incorporate updated NCA directives
  
  

• Inclusion of case studies reflecting recent compliance challenges faced by Saudi organizations
  
  

• Expansion of modules to cover emerging practices such as cloud security governance and third-party risk management
  
  

• Opportunities for alumni to access refresher content when regulations evolve
  
  

• Continuous integration of new learning technologies to improve interactivity and engagement
  
  

• Alignment with the strategic initiatives of Vision 2030 and evolving digital transformation projects
  
  

• Supplementary guidance documents translating complex regulations into practical checklists
  
  

• Guest lectures from industry experts and regulators to keep learners abreast of the latest developments
  
  

This emphasis on enhancement ensures that the course remains a living resource. Participants who complete the program will know that their knowledge does not fossilize but continues to expand with regulatory updates and pedagogical improvements. The evolving nature of the training reinforces its value as an enduring investment in professional competence.