EU AI Act
EU regulation for risk-based AI safety and governance
SAMA CSF
Saudi framework for financial cybersecurity compliance
Quick Verdict
EU AI Act regulates high-risk AI systems EU-wide for safety and rights, while SAMA CSF mandates cybersecurity maturity for Saudi financial firms. Organizations adopt AI Act for market access, CSF for regulatory compliance and resilience.
EU AI Act
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 Artificial Intelligence Act
Key Features
- Risk-based four-tier classification framework
- Prohibits unacceptable-risk AI practices outright
- Requires conformity assessments and CE marking
- Mandates GPAI model transparency and evaluations
- Phased implementation with extraterritorial scope
SAMA CSF
SAMA Cyber Security Framework Version 1.0
Key Features
- Six-level maturity model targeting Level 3 minimum
- Four core domains with detailed subdomains
- Board and CISO governance requirements
- Principle-based risk management approach
- Third-party cybersecurity controls
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
EU AI Act Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, the EU AI Act, is a comprehensive horizontal regulation establishing a risk-based framework for AI systems. It prohibits unacceptable-risk practices, regulates high-risk systems via lifecycle controls, mandates transparency for limited-risk AI, and oversees general-purpose AI models, applying extraterritorially to EU outputs.
Key Components
- **Four risk tiersunacceptable (banned), high-risk (conformity assessments), limited (transparency), minimal (voluntary).
- High-risk obligations: risk management (Article 9), data governance (Article 10), documentation (Articles 11-13), human oversight (Article 14), cybersecurity (Article 15).
- GPAI duties: technical documentation, systemic risk evaluations (Chapter V).
- Enforcement via AI Office, national authorities, fines up to 7% global turnover.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for EU market access, it mitigates legal risks, ensures product safety, builds trust, and enables compliant innovation amid penalties and surveillance.
Implementation Overview
Phased rollout (prohibitions 6 months, GPAI 12 months, high-risk 24-36 months). Involves AI inventory, classification, QMS integration, conformity assessments, CE marking, post-market monitoring. Applies to providers/deployers across sectors; requires cross-functional governance, documentation, audits.
SAMA CSF Details
What It Is
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority Cyber Security Framework (SAMA CSF), Version 1.0 (May 2017), is a mandatory regulatory framework for SAMA-regulated financial institutions in Saudi Arabia. Its primary purpose is to ensure cybersecurity resilience through governance, risk management, and controls, protecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets. It employs a principle-based, risk-oriented approach with a six-level maturity model, targeting at least Level 3 (structured and formalized).
Key Components
- Four main domains: Cyber Security Leadership and Governance, Risk Management and Compliance, Operations and Technology, Third-Party Cyber Security.
- Numerous subdomains with principles, objectives, and control considerations (over 100 subcontrols).
- Built on NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS; compliance via self-assessment and SAMA audits, no external certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for banks, insurers, finance firms to avoid penalties, audits, fines.
- Enhances resilience, reduces incidents, improves efficiency; strategic edge in partnerships, market access.
- Builds stakeholder trust, supports Vision 2030 digital economy.
Implementation Overview
Phased roadmap: initiation/gap analysis, risk assessment, design/deployment, operate/monitor, audit/improve. Applies to all SAMA entities; requires board sponsorship, tools like SIEM/GRC, periodic self-assessments.
Key Differences
| Aspect | EU AI Act | SAMA CSF |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | AI systems by risk tiers across lifecycle | Cybersecurity controls for financial info assets |
| Industry | All sectors using AI in EU/global | Saudi financial institutions only |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with fines | Mandatory framework with maturity model |
| Testing | Conformity assessments, notified bodies | Self-assessments, SAMA audits, pen tests |
| Penalties | Up to 7% global turnover fines | Supervisory actions, fines, license risks |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EU AI Act and SAMA CSF
EU AI Act FAQ
SAMA CSF FAQ
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