Bahrain, officially called the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in the Middle East. Despite being one of the smallest nations in Asia by area, Bahrain is the fastest growing economy in the Arab world, according to a January 2006 report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. With smart government initiatives, Bahrain is creating new innovative opportunities in fields like cloud computing, data analysis, blockchain development, and artificial intelligence. At the same time, this digital expansion has increased Bahrain’s exposure to cyber threats and data breaches.
Bahrain has built a strong cybersecurity framework to manage these risks. These frameworks are supported by extensive laws and national strategies. Bahrain is focused on data protection and robust cyber security to maintain public trust, continuous innovation, and global credibility.
Understanding and complying with national cybersecurity regulations is a requisite for all organizations operating in or with Bahrain. These regulations are enforced to safeguard business operations, protect user data, and ensure safe growth and innovation.
Bahrain Cybersecurity & Data Compliance Overview
Bahrain has developed a comprehensive cybersecurity and data protection framework. The table below provides an overview of Bahrain’s primary jurisdictions, key laws, and who must comply.
| Jurisdiction | Laws & Regulations | Who Must Comply |
| National | Law No. 30 of 2018National Cybersecurity Center regulationsLaw No. 60 of 2014 | All public and private entities |
| Sector-wise | TRA cybersecurity directivesCentral Bank of Bahrain regulations Information & eGovernment Authority standards | Telecom providersFinancial institutionsGovernment bodies |
| International | Cross-border data transfer provisions under Executive Order No. 42 of 2022 | Foreign organizations |
What are the main Cybersecurity and Data Protection Regulators in Bahrain?
Bahrain’s national cybersecurity authorities include :
1. The National Cybersecurity Center:
NCSC was formed per decree 65 of 2020 to develop and supervise Bahrain’s National Cybersecurity Strategy. NCSC safeguards Critical National Infrastructure, implements cyber risk assessments, and is responsible to provide cybersecurity to all digital developments.
2. Personal Data Protection Authority:
PDPA, formed per decree 75 of 2019, enforces the Law No. 30 of 2018 that safeguards personal information of citizens and protects their privacy.
3. Telecommunications Regulatory Authority:
TRA, established in 2002, promotes a secure and world-class communication sector in Bahrain. A strong and efficient connectivity sector will attract investment and innovation to Bahrain.
4. The Central Bank of Bahrain:
CBB is responsible for implementing cybersecurity in financial institutions and fintech firms.
5. The Information & eGovernment Authority:
iGA is responsible for strengthening cybersecurity in government systems of Bahrain.
6. Ministry of Interior:
MOI investigates and prevents cybercrimes. It enforces laws on cyber-attacks like electronic fraud and user data breaches.
What is Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) in the Cybersecurity Framework of Bahrain?
Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) are all critical sectors like energy, utilities, financial services, communications, healthcare, transportation, and other government institutes. These sectors are critical to the national security, economic stability and advancements, technological developments, and public welfare of Bahrain.
The National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) safeguards CNI from cyber threats by creating cybersecurity standards and conducting cybersecurity risk assessments. NCSC also ensures that each CNI has an initiative-taking and robust defence against cyber-threats. It also organizes national cyber drills, continuous assessments, and collaborates with international partners to enhance protection.
What is the National Cybersecurity Strategy of Bahrain?
The National Cybersecurity Strategy of Bahrain outlines five key pillars that guide national efforts to strengthen cyber resilience and security governance.
Building a Nation with Complete Cyber Awareness:
Bahrain works to establish a cyber-aware nation through educational initiatives and awareness campaigns.
Resilient and Robust Cyber Defenses:
This proposal focuses on proactive monitoring and regular cybersecurity risk assessments in Bahrain and fast incident response to defend critical systems.
Effective Cybersecurity Governance and Standards:
It ensures risk management at the national level, developing cyber control, supporting compliance processes, and creating effective leadership in the field of cyber security.
Collective Defense Through Partnership and Cooperation:
It aims to create robust cybersecurity systems through partnership between private and public organizations and national and international enterprises with the help of fast and secure communications.
Cyber Workforce Development:
The program includes Cyber Workforce Development which concentrates on developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce through training and certification programs and academic education to handle new security threats.
What are the Cybercrime Legislations in Bahrain?
Bahrain has established various laws to construct its cybersecurity framework which protects personal information and organizational data. These laws establish legal duties and specify punishment terms to enable the execution of national cybersecurity goals.
Law No. 30 of 2018: Protecting Personal Data Law
The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) controls personal information collection, processing, and storage operations at all stages. People have the right to access their data through the law while also having the ability to request information corrections or complete data removal. Organizations need to get consent before handling personal data and they must notify users about data breaches right away.
Law No. 16 of 2014: Protection of Information and State Documents
The law protects all government information and state documents which contain sensitive data. The regulation protects classified information from unauthorized disclosure, modification, and destruction. It applies to all government and state-affiliated organizations.
Law No. 2 of 2017: Ratifying the Arab Agreement on Combating IT Crimes
The cybersecurity approach of Bahrain allows the country to perform its responsibility of fighting cybercrime with neighboring nations. The agreement establishes penalties for computer crimes which include hacking, digital fraud, and unauthorized system access throughout Arab states.
Law No. 60 of 2014: IT Crimes
The IT Crimes Law defines criminal penalties for unauthorized system entry and data theft and online deception. The law makes it illegal to use technology for identity theft and system interference and data manipulation.
Decree-Law No. 54 of 2018: Electronic Transactions
The decree establishes rules for electronic communication methods and digital signature operations and document management systems. It ensures the legal validity of digital contracts and establishes technical standards for secure electronic transactions.
Prime Minister Decree No. 36 of 2018: Technical Requirements for Electronic Records and Signatures
The decree includes all technical and procedural elements which serve to establish and sustain electronic records security. The standard establishes encryption rules and authentication and integrity verification methods to safeguard digital documents used by public institutions.
How Businesses Can Comply with Bahrain’s Cybersecurity Regulations
Bahrain’s cybersecurity laws and policies are detailed. Businesses need to perform these procedures to meet their regulatory requirements:
Standard cybersecurity risk assessment protocols
Organizations that handle sensitive information and government data must conduct scheduled cybersecurity risk assessments to recognize, tackle, and adapt to new security threats.
Framework based on NIST and NCSC standards
Businesses must align their security policies with the NIST and NCSC standards. These frameworks provide a standardized protocol to handle cyber security risks that complies with international cybersecurity best practices.
Strengthen Data Governance and Access Controls
Enterprises need to use advanced encryption methods with multi-factor authentication and role-based access control. Enterprises must assign designated professionals to handle data. They must track all activities to prevent unauthorized access.
Build a Compliance-Aware Workforce
The organization should train their employees to identify phishing attempts, malware threats, and data security risks. Awareness programs create security-conscious employees. This will protect organizations by reducing common human errors in daily operations.
Maintain Documentation and Audit Report
The organization must maintain proper documentation for all cybersecurity policies, risk assessments, and management approaches. Organizations need to keep proper documentation according to the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) because it helps with transparency and smooth audits during review processes.
How do Bahraini frameworks support compliance with international standards?
Bahrain implements international standards through its adoption of ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST best practices for cybersecurity frameworks. The two standards maintain alignment which allows Bahrain-based organizations to fulfill their local regulatory requirements while achieving international standards for data protection and operational stability.
The National Cyber Security Strategy of Bahrain implements 5 pillars to create secure and trusted cyberspace:
- Strong and Resilient Cyber Defenses
- Effective Cyber Security Governance and Standards
- Building a Cyber Aware Nation
- Collective Defense Through Partnership and Cooperation
- Cyber Workforce Development
The frameworks use worldwide accepted risk management standards to help organizations fulfill regulatory needs and establish customer trust and support international cybersecurity collaboration.
Industry-specific Cybersecurity Regulations in Bahrain
Bahrain enforces strict cybersecurity regulations based on each sector:
Government Sector:
NCSC regulates this sector. It protects digital infrastructure, monitors CNI, and safeguard cloud policies. It ensures that e-government systems run securely and without disturbances.
Education Sector:
The Ministry of Education along with NCSC implements cybersecurity standards within the Education Sector to safeguard student information and defend online educational platforms.
Energy Sector:
NCSC oversees the energy and utilities sector through three main requirements, i.e., protecting operational technology and SCADA systems, following CNI controls, and continuous security surveillance.
Financial Sector:
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) ensures that encryption systems, secure transactions and fraud monitoring protocols are followed by banks and fintech firms.
Healthcare Sector:
The Ministry of Health, supported by NCSC, functions as the regulatory body that oversees patient records protection and secure access for health systems in the healthcare Sector.
Telecom and Cloud:
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and NCSC implement regulations for network resilience, breach notifications, and Cloud First Policy.
What Cybersecurity Challenges do Businesses face in Bahrain?
Here are some of the most concerning cybersecurity risks for businesses in Bahrain:
- Organizations face difficulties with cybersecurity framework integration because different sectors and jurisdictions maintain separate security standards which create compliance challenges.
- Fast- paced cloud adoption outpaces the development of internal security systems which creates data exposure vulnerabilities.
- Third-party and vendors operate outside of company control which generates indirect security threats to vital systems.
- A shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to affect the ability to monitor and respond to incidents effectively.
- Complex audit requirements and frequent regulatory updates make it difficult for organizations to maintain consistent compliance.
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What is the Cost of Non-Compliance with Cybersecurity Regulations in Bahrain?
Organizations face serious financial and legal consequences if they fail to follow Bahrain’s cybersecurity laws. Businesses that fail to comply with Law No. 30 of 2018 or related regulations will receive penalties that include fines and business license suspension or sanctions.
The National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) and Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) will start investigations after a data breach occurs because of poor security measures which will lead to additional financial damage and expensive recovery operations.
Organizations can damage their global reputation and reduce customer trust if they do not comply with the cybersecurity regulations. It is critical for organizations to maintain proper cybersecurity practices to protect their operations, ensure data safety, and build long-term credibility in Bahrain’s digital market.
How DoveRunner can Help Businesses Navigate Bahrain’s Cybersecurity Regulations and Ensure Compliance
DoveRunner provides security solutions that align with the Bahrain National Cybersecurity Strategy and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, therefore, helping organizations comply with Bahrain’s cybersecurity regulations.
The security solution provided by DoveRunner includes zero-code protection and runtime application self-protection (RASP). The solutions identify and block tampering attempts, zero-day threats and reverse engineering attempts without causing any impact on application performance.
Fintech and banking sectors can benefit from solutions provided by DoveRunner. These solutions include anti-keylogging, anti-overlay, and root or jailbreak detection. It protects financial transactions and sensitive customer data from sophisticated cyberattacks. DoveRunner also delivers tamper protection, cheat detection, and account takeover prevention for gaming platforms.
DoveRunner is one of the leading solutions to ensure compliance across Bahrain’s digital ecosystem with resilience and data integrity.
The Future of Bahrain’s National Cybersecurity Strategy
Bahrain emerging leader in cybersecurity among all the Gulf countries. The National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) highlights Bahrain’s commitment to developing organized governance and active defense systems through its Bahrain National Cybersecurity Strategy.
The present strategy establishes business stability through innovative practices and advanced regulatory systems. The upcoming initiatives will support new technologies including artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city infrastructure to achieve complete digital security. Future AI governance systems will improve risk management and compliance through advanced cyber resilience assessments and incident reporting systems.
Bahrain implements these advancements to create a secure and trusted digital environment which supports sustainable growth, data protection, and global market competitiveness.
Quick Compliance Checklist: Bahrain Cybersecurity & Data Regulations
- Register with the PDPA.
- Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments.
- Implement encryption and access controls.
- Align with NCSC and PDPL requirements.
- Monitor vendor and third-party compliance.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation.
- Establish an employee awareness program.
- Comply with Executive Order No. 42 of 2022.
- Ensure breach notification/reporting procedures are in place.
- Obtain documented consent for personal data processing.
