TISAX is a result of why cybersecurity in automotive is no longer optional. Why? The automotive industry is in the midst of a digital revolution. Vehicles are becoming connected systems, production lines are fully digitized, and product development is increasingly collaborative across global supplier networks. Sensitive information – such as CAD drawings, testing data, prototype specifications, and software code – now flows between dozens of partners in real time.
Each cyber incident – from a stolen prototype design to ransomware on a production line – can mean millions in losses, customer claims, and long-term reputational damage. That’s why cybersecurity has evolved from an IT topic into a core pillar of quality, business continuity, and customer trust.
To ensure consistent information security across the supply chain, OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers are increasingly requiring their partners to meet the TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) standard – a sector-specific framework developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).
TISAX is not just a formal compliance exercise – it has become a “must-have” qualification for any organization that wants to remain competitive and trusted within the automotive ecosystem.
What Is TISAX and Why It Has Become an Industry Standard
TISAX is not a traditional certification — it’s a trusted assessment and information exchange model for the automotive industry, managed by ENX and based on the VDA ISA questionnaire.
The result of a TISAX assessment is an “assessment label” (for example, Information Security, Prototype Protection, or Data Protection), which can be shared with multiple OEMs via a secure ENX platform – eliminating the need for repeated audits.
Why the Automotive Industry Has Adopted TISAX So Rapidly
- Standardized security expectations – OEMs no longer need to define their own data protection rules. TISAX provides a unified baseline recognized across the entire sector.
- Audit efficiency – one assessment covers multiple clients, saving time and cost while reducing the audit burden for suppliers.
- Automotive-specific controls – unlike general frameworks, TISAX addresses prototype protection, confidentiality in testing environments, and supplier site security.
- Supply chain trust – it ensures that every partner – from R&D labs to logistics providers – maintains verifiable and consistent cybersecurity controls.
ISO/IEC 27001 vs. TISAX — Similar Goal, Different Depth and Focus
At first glance, ISO 27001 and TISAX look similar — both aim to strengthen information security management systems (ISMS).
But in practice, their purpose, structure, and assessment approach are very different.
| Aspect | ISO/IEC 27001 | TISAX / VDA ISA |
| Objective | Certification of an ISMS by an accredited certification body | Industry-specific assessment producing a label (shared with OEMs via ENX) |
| Scope | Generic and applicable to any industry | Tailored to the automotive context (includes prototype protection and supplier controls) |
| Controls | General Annex A controls (ISO 27002) | Detailed control catalog defined by VDA ISA, with specific maturity levels |
| Audit approach | External certification audit (system-level) | On-site evidence-based assessment, including physical inspections and interviews |
| Result | Certificate valid for 3 years | Assessment label valid for 3 years, visible to OEMs on ENX portal |
| Supply chain alignment | No formal exchange platform | Central ENX exchange — OEMs and suppliers see verified security maturity |
| Technical depth | Flexible implementation | Mandatory evidence for each VDA ISA control (documentation + practice) |
In short:
ISO 27001 provides the management foundation, while TISAX translates it into automotive reality, defining specific technical and operational safeguards expected by OEMs.
How TISAX Solves Real Problems in Your Organization
Challenge: Different security maturity across suppliers
Solution: A single TISAX label replaces multiple audits. OEMs and Tier-1s can trust a standardized benchmark and skip redundant verifications.
Challenge: “Last-minute” customer audits
Solution: Having a valid TISAX label demonstrates readiness – your controls, documentation, and evidence have already been verified by an authorized audit provider.
Challenge: Integrating cybersecurity into quality management
Solution: TISAX requirements can be embedded into IATF 16949, APQP, and Control Plans – treating data security as a “special characteristic” and integrating it into quality and process control.
Challenge: Managing incidents and continuity
Solution: TISAX ensures your organization has incident response (IR), backup, and disaster recovery (DR) plans that are tested, documented, and linked to customer communication protocols.
The Strategic Role of Cybersecurity in Automotive
Adopting TISAX is a resilience. It helps build a robust and trustworthy digital supply chain, where every participant follows the same verified standards.
Key outcomes for your organization include:
- Reduced likelihood of incidents through layered defenses and proactive controls.
- Faster detection and recovery when incidents occur.
- Increased credibility and trust among OEMs and Tier-1 clients.
- Lower audit costs through a single verified assessment shared with multiple customers.
- Unified cybersecurity language across all supply chain partners.
Ultimately, TISAX helps transform cybersecurity from a cost center into a strategic enabler of collaboration and customer confidence.
Why TISAX Is Becoming a “License to Operate”
For some OEMs like Volkswagen Group, BMW, Mercedes-Benz having a valid TISAX label is already a mandatory entry requirement for suppliers involved in product development, design, and prototyping.
More and more procurement and quality departments now treat cybersecurity not as a “nice-to-have.” It become a customer-specific requirement (CSR) – meaning:
No TISAX, no project.
That’s why preparing for TISAX early – even if your client hasn’t yet required it – is a smart strategic move.
How QualityWise® Can Support You
At QualityWise®, we help automotive suppliers prepare for TISAX assessments efficiently and confidently.
Our consultants and trainers combine deep knowledge of IATF 16949, VDA 6.x, and ISO/IEC 27001. We will ensure your cybersecurity system integrates naturally with your existing quality and audit frameworks.
Our support includes:
- TISAX Readiness Assessment (Gap-Analysis) – detailed mapping of your current compliance against VDA ISA.
- Practical training: “TISAX Assessment according to VDA ISA” – learn requirements, documentation standards, and typical nonconformities.
- Hands-on workshops for Incident Response, Prototype Protection, and supplier security.
- Integrated approach – linking TISAX controls to APQP, Control Plans, and CSR expectations.
Request a free 30-minute consultation:
We’ll analyze your current situation, project scope, and customer requirements. And provide a practical roadmap tailored to your organization.
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