NAUSS was established in 1978 and was named The Arab Centre for Security Studies and Training. It was established through cooperation between Arab police and security chiefs and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers to meet the training needs of Arab security personnel.

In 1997 the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, recognizing the great academic advancements of NAUSS under the leadership and support of His Royal Highness Prince Naif Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of The Board of Directors at NAUSS named the center Naif Arab Academy for Security Sciences.

NAUSS advanced in all of its fields of security training and developed its various departments into separate colleges awarding postgraduate level qualifications such as doctorates, master’s degrees and diplomas.

In 2004, NAUSS was granted official university status by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers due to its major academic achievements. The name given to the university was Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.