Surveillance Systems in Saudi Arabia: Market Growth and the Law
IMARC values the Saudi video surveillance systems market at about USD 780.9 million in 2025 and expects it to reach USD 2,242.4 million by 2034, a compound annual growth rate of 12.44%. The firm attributes the growth to demand for high-resolution IP cameras, AI features such as face and license plate recognition, and smart-city and mega-projects.
The Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras
The Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras was issued by Royal Decree M/34 and published in the Umm Al-Qura gazette in October 2022. It sets which facilities must install cameras, how they operate and how recordings are kept. Key points include:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Covered facilities | Including shopping centers, residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools, fuel stations and commercial warehouses |
| Operation | Cameras operate around the clock |
| Keeping recordings | Kept for the period set in the Requirements Document, and kept unaltered if an incident is reported |
| Violations | Including SAR 500 per camera not meeting technical specifications, SAR 1,000 per camera not installed as required, up to SAR 5,000 for not keeping recordings, and up to SAR 20,000 for unlawfully publishing or sharing recordings or damaging equipment or recordings |
What it means for facilities
System design is no longer just a choice of cameras: it covers camera positions, storage duration and protection of recordings against unauthorized access. Integration with access control and alarm systems speeds up response, provided the network and storage are designed properly.
Practical steps now
- Check whether your facility falls into a covered category, and review the Ministry of Interior requirements that apply to it.
- Size storage for the required retention period, with a safety margin.
- Define who can access recordings, and document how they are kept and handed over if an incident occurs.
See also IP vs analog CCTV and CCTV coverage.
Planning an integrated surveillance system? AZEIDK provides security and surveillance systems and network systems with programming and systems integration. Contact the AZEIDK team
