How Did a Saudi Ministry Modernize Its Cybersecurity? A Public-Sector Case Study
July 5, 2026
7 min read
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How Did a Saudi Ministry Modernize Its Cybersecurity? A Public-Sector Case Study
A prominent Saudi ministry strengthened its cybersecurity through a two-phase program: first deploying Cerebra mPass multi-factor authentication (MFA) to replace password-only logins for every user, then integrating Delinea Secret Server privileged access management (PAM) to vault, rotate, and monitor administrator credentials — reporting reduced unauthorized-access incidents, automated privileged access management, and improved user experience and regulatory compliance. This case study walks through the challenges, the sequencing, and what other Saudi government entities can take from the model.
Key Takeaways
- The ministry faced three converging challenges: outdated authentication methods, a complex access environment, and strict NCA ECC compliance requirements.
- Phase one replaced password-only authentication with Cerebra mPass MFA — adaptive, layered verification designed to be easier for users, not harder.
- Phase two added Delinea Secret Server PAM: sensitive credentials in a secure vault, automated password rotation, and real-time session monitoring.
- Reported outcomes: fewer unauthorized-access incidents, automated privileged access management, better user experience, and regulatory compliance.
- The identity-first sequence mirrors exactly what NCA ECC-2:2024 requires — strong MFA for remote and privileged access.
Why did the ministry overhaul its cybersecurity?
Digital transformation had outgrown legacy controls: authentication methods were outdated, the access environment had become complex, and compliance requirements were strict. Every new digital service multiplies the number of identities, devices, and access paths that must be secured — and when most of those paths are still protected by passwords alone, the attack surface grows faster than the defenses.
Verizon's DBIR 2024 attributes 68% of breaches to a human element — phished, reused, or stolen passwords chief among them. IBM's Cost of a Data Breach 2024 puts the average breach in the Saudi Arabia–UAE region at roughly US$8.7 million. For a ministry holding citizen data and operating national services, fixing identity first was the rational choice.
How did phase one — Cerebra mPass MFA — modernize authentication?
Phase one introduced Cerebra mPass MFA, replacing password-only logins with adaptive, layered identity verification — designed from the start to be user-friendly, not just more secure. Adaptive enterprise MFA evaluates context — device, location, network, and behavior — and steps up verification only when risk is detected, keeping routine logins frictionless. Microsoft's analysis shows MFA blocks more than 99% of automated account-compromise attacks, giving the ministry the highest-impact control from day one. For the full argument on why identity is the new perimeter, see our guide on MFA as your first line of defense.
How did phase two — PAM — protect administrator accounts?
Phase two integrated Delinea Secret Server: sensitive credentials moved into a secure vault, password rotation was automated, and privileged sessions are monitored in real time. MFA answers “is this really the right person?” for every user; PAM answers “what are the most powerful accounts doing, and who is accountable?” — closing the gap that strong authentication alone cannot.
What outcomes did the ministry report?
The ministry reported three headline outcomes: reduced unauthorized-access incidents, automated privileged access management, and improved user experience alongside regulatory compliance. Security and usability improved together — a result worth underlining, because programs that frustrate users get bypassed. The full case study with additional deployment detail is available on request from Cerebra.
Why does identity-first security matter under Saudi regulations?
The NCA's ECC-2:2024 — mandatory for government entities and critical national infrastructure — requires MFA for remote access and privileged accounts, alongside least-privilege authorization and periodic access reviews. A ministry deploying MFA for all users and PAM for administrators is implementing the ECC's identity and access management controls as written. The SAMA CSF sets equivalent expectations for the financial sector, and the PDPL obliges any entity processing personal data to protect it with appropriate controls. Saudi Arabia earned Tier 1 status in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 on the back of exactly this kind of regulatory discipline. For detail on which ECC controls MFA satisfies, see our MFA compliance guide.
What can other government entities learn from this case study?
The clearest lesson is sequencing: secure every user's identity first, then deepen control over privileged accounts. User experience is a security feature — adoption follows ease. Compliance is an outcome, not an afterthought. Layered defenses close each other's gaps. And choosing solutions built for the Saudi context (data residency, Arabic experience, local support, NCA-aligned audit evidence) avoids the integration problems that derail programs.
How do Cerebra mPass and Deep I support this journey today?
mPass — the platform at the heart of phase one — is Cerebra's Saudi-Tech registered identity and access platform, built in Riyadh. It combines adaptive MFA, SSO, and self-service password reset, deploys on-premise or in-Kingdom cloud, and ships with full Arabic localization and ECC-ready audit logging. Deep I, Cerebra's unified gateway, brings the full portfolio together behind a single entry point as the security program grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Saudi ministry case study involve?
A two-phase cybersecurity program: mPass MFA for every user, then Delinea Secret Server PAM for privileged accounts — with credential vaulting, automated rotation, and real-time session monitoring.
What results did the ministry achieve?
Reduced unauthorized-access incidents, automated privileged access management, and improved user experience alongside regulatory compliance.
Why combine MFA with privileged access management?
MFA verifies identity at login; PAM controls what the most powerful accounts can do afterward. Each closes a gap the other leaves open.
Is MFA required for Saudi government entities?
Yes. NCA ECC-2:2024 requires MFA for remote access and privileged accounts in government entities and critical national infrastructure.
How can my organization follow a similar approach?
Start identity-first: deploy adaptive MFA across all users, then extend control to privileged accounts. Book a demo to see how mPass maps to your NCA ECC obligations.
