TISAX® sets the standard for information security in the automotive industry. Understand what it requires and how to meet it.
TISAX® establishes a standardized approach to information security assessments across the automotive industry. It allows companies to prove their security level once and share the results with trusted partners.
Unlike traditional certifications, TISAX® focuses on mutual recognition and controlled result sharing instead of issuing a universal certificate.
TISAX® stands for Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange. It is a mechanism that enables organizations to undergo a standardized information security assessment and securely share the results within the automotive network.
The outcome is not a certificate in the classic sense. Instead, participants receive assessment results that can be accessed by authorized partners via the TISAX® platform. This reduces redundant audits and creates a consistent security baseline.
TISAX® is based on a combination of governance and technical standards that define how assessments are conducted and what is evaluated.
ENX Association
The ENX Association operates the TISAX® platform and governs the overall framework. It ensures that all participants follow consistent rules and that assessment results can be exchanged in a secure and trusted environment.
VDA ISA catalog
The VDA ISA catalog defines the actual security requirements. It is developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry and provides a structured set of controls that organizations must implement and verify.
TISAX® creates a shared understanding of security expectations across the automotive supply chain. It replaces fragmented questionnaires and reduces repeated audits by establishing a recognized assessment standard.
TISAX® is closely aligned with how modern automotive ecosystems operate. Companies exchange large volumes of sensitive information across organizational and geographic boundaries.
The automotive supply chain connects OEMs, tier suppliers and specialized service providers. Each participant handles data that may impact multiple partners.
TISAX® acts as a common security language across this network. Instead of evaluating each partner individually, organizations rely on a shared framework that ensures comparable security levels at every stage.
Automotive companies manage highly sensitive data throughout the product lifecycle. This includes:
TISAX® provides a structured way to protect this information by ensuring that all participants apply consistent security measures.
TISAX® is relevant for any organization that interacts with automotive partners and processes sensitive information.
This includes:
Even smaller companies may be required to undergo an assessment if they are part of a critical supply chain.
TISAX® is based on a comprehensive catalogue of security controls. These requirements define how organizations manage information security, data protection, and specific automotive risks.
The VDA ISA (Information Security Assessment) catalog defines the requirements behind every assessment on TISAX®. It sets out what your organization must implement and how auditors evaluate your security level.
The catalog is structured into domains and control objectives. Each domain focuses on a specific area of information security and combines:
Auditors look at how these controls are applied in practice. You need to demonstrate that responsibilities and processes are clearly defined, controls are implemented, and documentation is complete and auditable.
The requirements are grouped into domains such as:
Each domain defines clear objectives but allows flexibility in implementation. This ensures that controls fit your company's setup while meeting automotive expectations.
TISAX® assessments focus on three core protection areas. These reflect the main risks in the automotive industry and extend beyond standard security frameworks.
Information security
This area evaluates your overall security management approach. It focuses on how you identify, manage, and monitor risks.
Typical requirements include:
The objective is to ensure consistent and controlled security across your organization.
Data protection
Data protection covers how you handle personal data in daily operations. It aligns closely with regulatory expectations.
Auditors assess whether you:
The focus lies on secure and transparent data handling.
Prototype protection
Prototype protection is specific to the automotive sector. It addresses risks related to sensitive development assets.
Typical requirements include:
This ensures that confidential development work remains protected throughout its lifecycle.
The level of strictness depends on the selected assessment level and the expectations of your customers.
OEMs often define minimum requirements that suppliers must fulfill. As a result, companies need to align their security posture with both the VDA ISA catalog and specific contractual expectations.
TISAX® defines different assessment levels to reflect varying risk profiles. The higher the level, the more rigorous the assessment. Depending on the nature and intensity of the collaboration between the OEM and the supplier, different audit objectives can be defined. Whether a company meets these objectives is assessed based on three TISAX® levels. The general rule is: the greater the need for protection, the higher the level.
The three levels differ in terms of audit depth and verification method.
|
Level |
Audit Type |
Depth |
Typical Use Case |
|
Level 1 |
Self-assessment |
Internal validation |
Low-risk scenarios |
|
Level 2 |
External plausibility check |
Limited verification |
Medium sensitivity |
|
Level 3 |
Full external audit |
Comprehensive assessment |
Highly sensitive data |
TISAX® Level 1 defines a “normal” protection level.
This level only requires a self-assessment by the company based on the VDA ISA questionnaire. As a result, there is no independent validation of the assessment outcome, which significantly limits its reliability and practical relevance.
TISAX® Level 2 represents a “high” protection need.
As with Level 1, the company conducts a self-assessment. The key difference is that an external auditor reviews and verifies the results. This verification is typically carried out remotely and focuses on plausibility rather than a full on-site audit.
TISAX® Level 3 corresponds to a “very high” protection need and is the most commonly required assessment level.
The initial evaluation is again based on a self-assessment. However, in this case, an accredited auditor performs a comprehensive verification that goes beyond remote review. This includes on-site inspections and live interviews across all relevant company locations to confirm that controls are consistently implemented in practice.
The appropriate assessment level depends primarily on the level of protection required for the information you handle. In practice, this is driven by two factors:
OEMs often specify the minimum assessment level as part of contractual requirements. At the same time, you need to evaluate your own risk exposure based on the type of data and processes in scope.
For example, companies working with prototype data, development information, or other highly confidential assets are typically expected to meet Level 3 requirements. Lower sensitivity scenarios may allow for Level 2, but this depends on the expectations of your customers and the role you play in the supply chain.
Obtaining an assessment on TISAX® follows a structured process. Each step builds on the previous one and requires careful preparation.
To obtain certification on TISAX®, auditors assess whether your organization meets the information security and prototype protection requirements defined by the ENX Association. The assessment is based on the VDA ISA questionnaire, which sets out the relevant controls and evaluation criteria.
The process includes the following stages:
Each step requires documentation and coordination across multiple stakeholders.
Auditors evaluate different aspects of your organization:
The goal is to verify that your controls are implemented and effectively maintained.
The PDCA model supports the continuous operation and improvement of your ISMS and helps ensure a successful assessment on TISAX®.
This structured cycle ensures that your ISMS remains effective over time and continues to meet requirements for an assessment on TISAX®.
Preparation determines how smoothly your assessment process runs. A structured approach helps avoid delays and unnecessary effort.
Certification on TISAX® requires time, expertise, and financial resources. Successful preparation and implementation depend on a dedicated team and a clear understanding of the requirements for the assessment on TISAX®.
Many organizations face similar issues, when it comes to the implementation of TISAX®:
These challenges can slow down the assessment if they are not addressed early.
A successful preparation approach includes:
Early planning reduces rework and helps align stakeholders.
TISAX® does not issue certificates, it provides labels that reflect assessment outcomes.
Labels represent the result of an assessment and indicate:
They provide a clear and comparable summary of your security posture.
Until March 2024, eight TISAX® labels were defined: two for information security, four for prototype protection, and two for data protection. With the transition to VDA ISA version 6 on April 1, 2024, the labels in the area of information security were expanded.
Instead of distinguishing only between “high” and “very high” protection needs, TISAX® now further differentiates based on confidentiality and availability. As a result, there are now four labels within information security alone.
Today, a total of ten labels exist, covering the following areas:
Organizations can obtain multiple labels at the same time if they meet different requirements. Depending on their business activities and customer expectations, suppliers often cover several labels and in some cases all of them.
Assessment results are stored within the ENX platform. Companies can grant access to specific partners. This controlled sharing mechanism ensures that sensitive audit results remain protected while still enabling trust within the network.
Costs vary depending on the size and complexity of your organization.
A key cost driver is the targeted protection level, combined with the maturity of your existing systems. The following points provide an overview of the main cost components:
The total cost depends on the TISAX® level you aim to achieve, whether an ISMS is already in place, and how many internal resources are available.
Before starting implementation, it helps to assess how much foundational work is still required. This creates clarity on effort, priorities, and the overall investment needed to meet TISAX® requirements.
A certification on TISAX® is valid for three years and must be renewed afterward. A new assessment is required to maintain your label, and the associated costs should be factored into your overall planning.
During this period, no external audits take place. However, companies are required to continuously maintain their ISMS and conduct regular internal self-assessments. These help document improvements and prepare for the next audit.
If you cannot provide evidence of internal reviews and ongoing improvements during the re-assessment, the auditor may raise findings that can put your label at risk. This shows that long-term ISMS maintenance, not just initial certification, determines ongoing compliance.
TISAX® provides both operational and strategic advantages for companies in the automotive ecosystem.
Companies with TISAX® assessment results can participate more easily in OEM projects. Many contracts require proof of compliance before collaboration begins.
A structured security framework reduces the likelihood of incidents and improves overall resilience. It also helps align with regulatory expectations.
The financial return of TISAX® certification cannot always be expressed as a fixed number. Factors such as company size, industry, and market conditions influence the overall ROI.
While initial investments can be significant, long-term benefits include reduced audit effort, improved efficiency, and stronger partner trust. What remains clear is the long-term impact: increased trust, access to new markets, and more stable customer relationships all contribute to measurable business value over time.
Certification on TISAX® is not a legal requirement. In practice, however, it is often a prerequisite for working with OEMs. Without it, companies face a higher risk of falling short of industry security standards and losing competitiveness.
Rapid regulatory changes, increasing cyber threats, and stricter customer requirements require continuous ISMS maintenance aligned with TISAX®. Without certification, companies risk not only losing business opportunities but also exposing themselves to higher security risks in their operations.
Business risks
Without a recognized assessment, organizations may struggle to demonstrate adequate security levels. This can impact customer relationships.
Lost opportunities in the automotive supply chain
Many OEMs require TISAX® as a baseline. Without it, companies may be excluded from tenders or partnerships.
TISAX® is based on ISO 27001 and follows a similar approach to information security management. Both frameworks confirm that organizations meet defined requirements for building, implementing, and operating an Information Security Management System.
In both cases, the focus lies on structured risk management, clearly defined processes, and continuous improvement of security controls. This creates a consistent and auditable approach to protecting sensitive information.
While ISO 27001 is a globally applicable standard, TISAX® is specifically tailored to the automotive industry. It translates general information security principles into concrete requirements that reflect the risks and expectations within automotive supply chains.
In addition to information security, TISAX® also covers areas such as prototype protection and data protection. These domains address industry-specific risks that are not part of ISO 27001 in the same level of detail.
Another key difference is the outcome: ISO 27001 results in a formal certificate, while TISAX® uses a label system with results shared through the ENX platform.
An ISO 27001 certification can simplify preparation for TISAX® by providing an established ISMS foundation. However, it does not replace a TISAX® assessment. Companies operating in the automotive sector, especially suppliers, typically need TISAX® to meet OEM requirements, and benefit from combining both frameworks to cover global standards and industry-specific expectations.
A structured roadmap helps you move efficiently toward a successful TISAX® assessment. Each step builds on the previous one and ensures that your organization meets the required security standards in a controlled and traceable way.
Start by determining which parts of your organization are included in the assessment. This typically depends on customer requirements, the type of data you handle, and your role in the supply chain. A clearly defined scope ensures that all relevant systems, processes, and locations are considered from the beginning.
Compare your current setup against the VDA ISA requirements. This helps identify missing or insufficient controls and highlights where adjustments are needed. A structured gap analysis provides a clear baseline for planning your implementation.
Close the identified gaps by introducing or strengthening technical and organizational measures. At this stage, it is important to ensure that controls are not only defined but also operational and supported by proper documentation.
Select an approved audit provider and initiate the formal assessment. This includes submitting your scope, undergoing the audit, and preparing for the validation of your implementation and documentation.
DataGuard supports companies throughout the TISAX® journey. The platform combines structured workflows with expert guidance to help implement and maintain required controls.
You gain visibility into your compliance status, align your processes with VDA ISA requirements and reduce manual effort during preparation and audits.
The timeline depends on your current level of maturity and scope. Preparation and assessment can take several months, especially if new processes need to be implemented.
In many cases, yes. OEMs frequently require TISAX® as a prerequisite for collaboration, especially when sensitive data is involved.
Yes. Company size does not restrict participation. Requirements scale based on scope and risk level, making TISAX® accessible for smaller organizations.
Assessment results are valid for a limited period and must be renewed through reassessment. Continuous maintenance of controls is required.
No. TISAX® complements ISO 27001 but does not replace it. Companies often use both to meet general and industry-specific requirements.
TISAX® is a registered trademark of the ENX Association. DataGuard is not affiliated with the ENX Association. We provide Software-as-a-Service and support for the assessment on TISAX® only. The ENX Association does not take any responsibility for any content shown on DataGuard's website.
All data provided is for information only, based on internal estimates. This information is not indicative of KPIs, and is not given with any warranties or guarantees, expressly stated or implied in relation to accuracy and reliability.
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