WELL
Certification standard for occupant health in buildings
SAMA CSF
Saudi framework for financial cybersecurity compliance
Quick Verdict
WELL advances building health via 10 concepts and on-site verification for global organizations seeking wellness certification. SAMA CSF mandates cybersecurity maturity for Saudi financial firms through governance and audits. Companies adopt WELL for ESG/occupant benefits; SAMA CSF for regulatory compliance.
WELL
WELL Building Standard v2
Key Features
- Mandatory on-site performance verification testing
- 10 core concepts with Preconditions and Optimizations
- Point-based certification tiers Bronze to Platinum
- Continuous monitoring pathways for compliance
- People-first health outcomes beyond sustainability
SAMA CSF
SAMA Cyber Security Framework Version 1.0
Key Features
- Six-level maturity model with Level 3 baseline
- Four core domains covering governance to third-parties
- Principle-based risk management approach
- Board-level accountability and CISO requirements
- Detailed controls for IAM, incident response, payments
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
WELL Details
What It Is
WELL Building Standard v2 is a performance-based certification framework administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). It focuses on designing, operating, and verifying buildings to advance human health and well-being through evidence-based strategies. Its concept-based approach organizes requirements into mandatory Preconditions and optional point-earning Optimizations.
Key Components
- **10 core conceptsAir, Water, Nourishment, Light, Movement, Thermal Comfort, Sound, Materials, Mind, Community (plus Innovation).
- 24 Preconditions and 102 Optimizations totaling up to 110 points.
- Built on public health research; certification via Bronze (40 pts), Silver (50), Gold (60), Platinum (80) with concept minimums.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives occupant productivity, reduces absenteeism, enhances ESG reporting, and boosts rents/asset value. Voluntary but complements LEED; manages health risks, builds tenant trust.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, scorecard, documentation, on-site verification, recertification every 3 years. Applies to new/existing buildings across industries; requires third-party testing and cross-functional teams.
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. It provides a principle-based, risk-oriented blueprint to govern cybersecurity, focusing on detecting, resisting, responding to, and recovering from threats across information assets.
Key Components
- Four principal **domainsLeadership & Governance, Risk Management & Compliance, Operations & Technology, Third-Party Security.
- Numerous subdomains with principles, objectives, and control considerations.
- Six-level maturity model (Level 3 baseline: structured policies, standards, procedures monitored by KPIs).
- Aligned with NIST, ISO 27001; enforced via self-assessments and SAMA audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory compliance for banks, insurers, etc., avoiding penalties and scrutiny.
- Enhances resilience, reduces incidents, improves efficiency.
- Builds trust, enables partnerships, supports Vision 2030 digital growth.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, control deployment, monitoring.
- Targets financial sector in Saudi Arabia; scalable by entity size.
- Requires self-assessments; no external certification but SAMA reviews.
Key Differences
| Aspect | WELL | SAMA CSF |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | 10 concepts: Air, Water, health, well-being | 4 domains: Governance, risk, operations, third-party |
| Industry | All buildings globally, any sector | Saudi financial institutions only |
| Nature | Voluntary performance certification | Mandatory regulatory framework |
| Testing | On-site performance verification, continuous monitoring | Self-assessments, SAMA audits, maturity reviews |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal penalties | Fines, license suspension, enforcement actions |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WELL and SAMA CSF
WELL FAQ
SAMA CSF FAQ
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