TISAX Explained: Understanding Scope, Impact, and the Certification

The automotive industry is on the brink of significant transformations with robotaxis, autonomous vehicles, air taxis, and many more innovations driving the future of mobility. As we move towards connected transportation ecosystems, new advancements introduce new risks. 95% of cyber attacks on the automotive industry have been remote—imagine people hijacking your vehicles or disabling brakes. As the industry transitions to a data-driven, interconnected model, the role of frameworks like TISAX (or Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) has never been more crucial.

TISAX was developed in 2017 but is currently trending as the hottest framework in the market. It’s shaping the industry’s data security and privacy approach while enabling trust and future growth.

This blog will give you an overview of the TISAX standard, its growing influence, and the attestation process that ensures compliance.

What is TISAX?

TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a globally recognized standard for information security, especially in the automotive industry. Developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry VDA in collaboration with the ENX Association, the standard ensures secure data handling and information exchange across organizations.

The VDA sets out the security requirements in the information security assessment (ISA), and ENX oversees the certification process. The standard builds upon the established controls of ISO 27001, the gold standard for information security, while customizing them according to automotive industry needs.

What TISAX Aims to Achieve?

It’s important to note that while TISAX certification is not mandatory, most suppliers and partners prefer it to position themselves as a secure business for OEMS (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and to enter new and competitive markets. Here are the benefits of TISAX compliance:

Enhanced Data Protection

TISAX ensures that sensitive data within the automotive industry, including personal data, intellectual property, business-sensitive information, contractual information, and confidential data, are protected using a set of security controls to minimize attacks and breaches.

Sales Accelerator

TISAX certification demonstrates a secure means of information exchange in the automotive supply chain and helps build trust and credibility in the market. This allows them to win lucrative opportunities and bag big deals during competitive bids while unblocking the sales cycle.

Cost and resource-saving

A single TISAX assessment is recognized industry-wide as it takes a standardized approach to ensure information security. Different partners do not need separate audits, eliminating the need for repetitive evaluations. Also, since it builds upon ISO 27001, organizations with a compliant ISMS (Information Security Management System) can use existing policies, controls, and processes to obtain TISAX certification while minimizing associated costs.

Decoding the Scope and Assessment Levels of TISAX

TISAX primarily targets companies in the European automotive industry supply chain that handle sensitive information. However, many multinational companies require global partners and suppliers to comply with TISAX. This makes it relevant for international organizations wishing to enter into business contracts with European firms.
The following entities fall under TISAX:

• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): Companies that develop, assemble, and market vehicles.
• Suppliers and sub-suppliers: Companies that provide parts, systems, and components for manufacturing vehicles. This also includes sub-suppliers that provide raw materials or components to leading suppliers.
• Service Providers: Organizations that offer services related to IT, engineering, consulting, and data processing and handle sensitive information
• Research and Development Firms: Organizations that are involved in prototype creation, design, or innovation
• Other partners: Companies offering logistics and transportation services

Other key aspects of TISAX Scope:

ISMS: Organizations must establish a fully compliant ISMS aligned with ISO 27001 and TISAX requirements.

Data Categories: Entities falling under TISAX must protect prototypes and product development data, operational and business process information, customers’ personal information, and third-party and partner information exchange.

TISAX assessment levels

Depending on the data’s sensitivity, the organization’s importance in the automotive supply chain, and the maturity of information security controls, TISAX conducts assessments at 3 levels. These levels represent the depth and scope of the assessment.

Let’s dive deep into these 3 levels:

Assessment Level 1 (AL1)

This introductory level suits organizations that handle non-sensitive data such as general business information.

• Organizations must implement foundational security controls such as access controls and incident response plans.
• Organizations complete a survey or a questionnaire as per the TISAX standard to undergo a self-assessment and prepare a self-assessment report
• No external verification or audit is required in this case
• No TISAX label is issued, and the self-assessment report is shared with clients on request

Assessment Level 2 (AL2)

AL2 is a slightly advanced level suitable for organizations handling medium-risk data, such as some personal data, supplier information, intellectual property, and internal communication.

• Organizations must implement additional security controls, such as data encryption, advanced access controls, regular security audits, a formalized incident response plan, and data integrity and protection protocols.
• It requires a self-assessment and a partial evaluation conducted by a chosen TISAX-accredited auditor
• The auditor reviews documentation and may conduct interviews to identify any deficiencies
• The final report is issued by the auditor after gap remediation, and the organization receives a TISAX label

Assessment Level 3 (AL3)

Level 3 is for organizations that deal with highly sensitive data, such as prototype information, personal data protected under GDPR, critical systems data, or confidential information.

• Organizations must implement a mature ISMS and advanced measures such as advanced encryption standards, continuous monitoring, awareness training, risk assessments, and data loss prevention measures.
• It requires an on-site audit by the TISAX-accredited auditor
• The auditor conducts an in-depth evaluation of the controls and issues a TISAX label
• Leading automotive manufacturers require AL3 as it offers the highest level of assurance

Exchange Size and Growth of TISAX

TISAX is currently said to be the second most widely adopted information security standard. Over the years, its adoption has expanded beyond the automotive industry, and organizations across the globe are realizing its value in data protection and strengthening partnerships.

• Number of Registered Participants: Over 10,000 locations have been assessed across 80 countries, with more than 3000 registered TISAX participants. The increasing number of companies joining the network highlights the strong demand for trusted suppliers in the automotive industry who have undergone formal assessments.
• Regional and Global Reach: TISAX is expanding its influence across other regions, especially North America and Asia, after establishing a strong foothold in the European automotive industry. AWS has recently achieved TISAX certification across 19 regions and is a notable example of how the standard is globally recognized for information security in supply chains.
• Industries Beyond Automotive: TISAX requirements are recognized as valuable beyond the automotive sector because of its strong emphasis on information security. Sectors such as aerospace, rail manufacturing, energy, and defense also adopt TISAX principles to safeguard sensitive information.

The Roadmap to Achieving TISAX Certification

For TISAX attestation, the VDA suggests you take a self-assessment using the ISA (Information Security Assessment) questionnaire. It’ll help you understand your ISMS’s maturity level.
The ISA also ranks these maturity levels from 0 (incomplete) to 5 (optimizing) based on whether or not structured processes are in place. Organizations must reach a minimum of level 3 (established) to receive the TISAX label.

The TISAX certification process has 4 phases:

1. Preparation

The preparation phase involves the following steps:

Familiarize yourself with the requirements

Begin by understanding the TISAX requirements and familiarizing yourself with the VDA questionnaire, which covers data protection and prototyping security.

Determine the scope and assessment level

Next, identify the systems and processes eligible for evaluation and determine the assessment level based on the sensitivity of the information you handle.

Conduct a review of existing policies and processes

Identify the weaknesses in your ISMS and review existing policies and processes to pinpoint the gaps per TISAX requirements. This is like a self-assessment to understand your current security maturity. Some common areas of improvement include risk assessments, access controls, incident response plans, and data protection controls.

Remediate the gaps

Implement the required security enhancements such as encryption, MFA, data classification policies, and role-based access controls. Also, train your employees on security best practices and create solid documentation of corrective actions.

2. Registration

Go to the ENX Association website and create an account on the TISAX portal for registration. You’ll be required to enter details such as the organization’s name and contact information, scope of assessment, and assessment levels. From the portal, choose a TISAX-accredited audit provider and agree on terms such as timeline and costs.

3. Assessment by an accredited auditor

Coordinate with the chosen TISAX auditor regarding the audit scope, schedule, and documentation. The auditor will conduct an in-depth assessment of the ISMS, security measures, and prototyping security if the organization creates or manages prototype designs.

The auditor compiles a report with detailed findings after interviews with staff, process walkthrough, and documentation review.

For any gaps identified, the organizations have nine months to implement remediation and undergo follow-up assessments.

If the organization meets the criteria, the auditor submits the report to ENX, and the company gets a TISAX label. You can selectively share the results with trusted partners through the ENX portal, as the results are not public for everyone.

4. Ongoing Monitoring and Improvements

Once you’ve received the label, you will only be reassessed after 3 years. However, you must display an ongoing commitment to security. Establish a continuous monitoring mechanism to proactively address security gaps and regularly review and update your ISMS to minimize risks.

Preparing for the AI-Driven Future: Why TISAX Matters More Than Ever

As the popularity and demand for AI-driven autonomous vehicles grow— with 3.5 million autonomous vehicles projected in the United States alone by 2025— the role of TISAX becomes more critical than ever.

AI-powered vehicles rely on vast data, including driver behavior and infrastructure information, to train and perform effectively. In this rapidly evolving landscape, TISAX-certified companies are better positioned to mitigate risks, especially as the increased use of AI introduces new legal and regulatory challenges. By adhering to TISAX, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture and implement preventive and detective measures to ensure secure information exchange for AI applications.

TISAX can also work in tandem with regulations such as the EU AI Act and support secure and ethical handling of AI. Companies that use both in alignment can future-proof themselves in the fast-growing AI landscape and the world of automotive innovation.

How can Sprinto be an enabler in the journey?

If you feel that your competition is already gearing up for TISAX compliance and the pressure to stay ahead is mounting, we get it. The sheer amount of documentation, control checks, self-assessments, and continuous monitoring can be overwhelming. And when you are trying to unblock a sales deal, you need things to move fast. Enter Sprinto.

The next-gen GRC platform can help you build a fully compliant ISMS without stopping or losing critical bandwidth. Use the control library and automated mapping, pre-built policies, training modules, integrated risk assessments, automated evidence collection, and a host of other features to streamline and scale compliance. The dashboard will help you understand where you stand and which areas need extra attention.

Sprinto also offers out-of-the-box support for ISO 27001, laying the foundation of TISAX.

Talk to an expert to understand how Sprinto can help you accelerate compliance.

FAQs

What is the difference between TISAX objectives and TISAX labels?

TISAX objectives are the security and compliance areas for which the organization is assessed, while TISAX labels indicate that the organization meets the corresponding objectives.

How long is TISAX valid for?

TISAX assessment results are valid for 3 years.

Are there any intermittent checks during the validity period?

No, there are no intermittent checks or surveillance audits during the 3 years of TISAX validity. The renewal process starts at the end of the validity period.

What is the difference between TISAX and ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is a generic information security standard, while TISAX is specifically tailored for the automotive industry. The former takes a one-certification-level approach, while TISAX has a three-level assessment approach.

How much does TISAX cost?

The mandatory registration fee is €500, while the audit provider fee ranges from €5,000 to €10,000. The preparation costs, including implementing a fully compliant ISMS, consultation, and other technology upgrades, can bring the total costs to €20,000 to €50,000.