TISAX Fundamentals and VDA ISA

TISAX represents the information security standard for the automotive industry, enabling secure information exchange throughout the automotive supply chain. Understanding TISAX requirements is essential for any organization working with major automotive manufacturers.

Understanding TISAX

TISAX, the Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange, was developed by the VDA, Germany's Verband der Automobilindustrie. The standard enables mutual recognition of security assessments across the automotive industry, eliminating the need for each OEM to conduct separate supplier audits.

TISAX builds upon ISO 27001 foundations while adding automotive-specific requirements addressing unique industry concerns. The ENX Association manages TISAX governance, assessment provider accreditation, and the exchange platform where assessment results are shared.

Business Drivers for TISAX

Major automotive OEMs including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen Group, and others require TISAX compliance from their suppliers. This requirement creates a unified security standard across the industry. Organizations can share assessment results instead of undergoing multiple redundant audits for different customers.

TISAX protects the automotive supply chain by ensuring consistent security practices. Intellectual property protection is particularly important given the competitive nature of automotive development. Prototype information, design data, and development schedules require robust protection.

VDA ISA Assessment Criteria

The VDA Information Security Assessment catalog provides the detailed criteria against which TISAX assessments are conducted. The catalog addresses three primary domains.

Information security requirements build upon ISO 27001 while adding automotive-specific controls. Prototype protection requirements address unique automotive concerns around physical and digital protection of pre-production vehicles and components. Data protection requirements address personal data handling for employee and customer information.

Assessment Scope Considerations

Organizations must define their TISAX scope appropriately. Typical scope considerations include handling of confidential information from automotive customers, project-related data protection, prototype and pre-production vehicle security, and personal data processing. The defined scope directly affects assessment effort and requirements.

Organizations register and share assessment results through the ENX Portal, which serves as the central platform for TISAX participation.