High Commission for Industrial Security

The High Commission for Industrial Security is the regulatory entity for industrial security and safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It aims to develop appropriate policies and plans to protect petroleum, industrial, and service facilities in the fields of security, safety, and fire protection, ensuring their continuity of operation and production under any circumstances. It also issues regulations and instructions related to industrial security and safety.

The commission was established by Royal Decree in 1977 and is one of the earliest regulatory bodies established in the Kingdom. Its board of directors is chaired by the Minister of Interior. In 2022, the Council of Ministers approved its regulations.

The establishment of the High Commission for Industrial Security aims to preempt any attacks targeting petroleum, industrial, and service facilities, or any risks they might face, and to take necessary measures to protect them. This is due to the global importance of these facilities and the potential risks that could impact the global economy if they are exposed to industrial accidents or, in some cases, attacks and sabotage.

Maintaining the security and safety of petroleum, industrial, and service facilities is vital, as threats to these facilities lead to economic and financial losses. They also impact the strategic aspects of the oil and gas markets and the global political landscape. According to the International Energy Agency, the security of the oil and gas industry holds economic and strategic importance for global energy supplies.

The High Commission for Industrial Security is one of the strategic components of the vital facilities security system in the Kingdom. The commission works on regulating and developing areas of industrial security (security, safety, and fire protection), in addition to supporting and coordinating with relevant entities in risk and hazard management, and monitoring process safety management according to global standards and practices.

The High Commission for Industrial Security provides numerous studies and technical services to relevant entities. These include auditing the qualification of Saudi human resources specialized in industrial security fields (security, safety, and fire protection), reviewing emergency and evacuation plans tailored to the specific conditions of each facility, and performing roles related to compliance monitoring through inspections, surveillance, investigation, auditing, and conducting simulated drills in collaboration with designated entities. The commission also reviews security projects, safety projects, and fire protection projects for facilities within its supervisory scope, in accordance with the Security Commission's Directives (SEC) and the Safety & Fire Protection Directives (SAF), which are based on international standards and practices.

The High Commission for Industrial Security also oversees the issuance of licenses for professions related to industrial security and safety. These include licenses for security and safety consulting and contracting, fire protection, and special civil security guard services. Additionally, the commission issues permits for the clearance and importation of security-restricted chemicals.

The High Commission for Industrial Security is committed to localizing the industry and transferring knowledge in the fields of industrial security and safety. It aims to establish specialized national laboratories and enhance professional volunteer work in industrial security and safety areas; all in support of achieving national objectives.

The High Commission for Industrial Security oversees thirteen strategic sectors of petroleum, industrial, and service facilities in terms of security, safety, and fire protection requirements. These sectors are: the electricity sector, the petroleum sector, the water sector, the mining sector, the ports sector, the gas sector, the industrial services sector, the railway sector (intercity trains), the civil explosives industry sector, the chemical industries sector, the cities and research laboratories sector, the petrochemical sector, and the military industries sector.

The activities of the High Commission for Industrial Security cover the geographical areas of the Kingdom through the main center in the capital, Riyadh, which covers the provinces of Qassim and Hail. There is also a branch in the Makkah al-Mukarramah - Jeddah Governorate, which covers the Makkah al-Mukarramah Province (the Holy Capital) and the holy sites, and a branch in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah - Yanbu Governorate, which covers the areas of Tabuk, al-Jawf, and the Northern Borders.

Additionally, the High Commission for Industrial Security operates in Yanbu Industrial City and Waad ash-Shamal City. There is a branch in Jazan Province (Jazan City) covering the provinces of Jazan, Aseer, Najran, and al-Bahah. There is also an Eastern Province branch located in al-Jubayl Governorate, which covers the Eastern Province, al-Jubayl Industrial City, and Ras al-Khair.

The compliance rate of vital facilities in the Kingdom with the directives of the High Commission for Industrial Security in the areas of security, safety, fire protection, and emergency response is advanced. This has led to quick handling of all types of risks, from threats to accidental industrial incidents, which has had an impact on resilience and rapid recovery, thereby contributing to the security, stability, and safety of urgent procedures.

According to the regulations of the High Commission for Industrial Security issued by the esteemed Council of Ministers' resolution number (707) dated July 26, 2022, the board of the commission is chaired by the Minister of Interior, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Nayef Bin Abdulaziz, with several princes as members, namely:

Minister of Energy or his delegate.

Minister of National Guard.

National Security Adviser

Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

The Minister of Finance.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Minister of Transport and Logistic Services.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

President of General Intelligence.

Chief of State Security.

Chief of the General Staff.

Governor of the commission.

Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries.

Three experts in the field of the commission's work, appointed by an order from the Prime Minister based on a recommendation from the president. Their membership lasts for three years and is renewable once.