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TISAX® Assessment: Your Direct Gate to Automotive Contracts

Secure your supplier relationships and meet the IT security requirements of leading automotive manufacturers. With our pragmatic TISAX® consulting, we systematically prepare your business for the assessment—ensuring a successful TISAX® Label without unnecessary paperwork.

Meet Automotive Standards - Fast, Targeted, and Without Operational Bottlenecks

Automotive manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 suppliers increasingly require business partners to demonstrate an adequate level of information security. Without a valid TISAX® label, companies frequently face exclusion from active RFPs or delays in contract awards.

However, preparing for the VDA ISA assessment raises complex questions: Which Assessment Levels are required? How do you implement prototype protection or data protection within the VDA catalog? And how can you minimize the operational burden on your day-to-day business?

We guide you through the entire TISAX® process—from selecting the right scope and conducting a GAP analysis to passing the audit by an accredited audit provider.

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Regulatory Framework: TISAX®, VDA-ISA, ISO 27001, and Prototype Protection

The TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) assessment and exchange mechanism is based on the German Association of the Automotive Industry audit catalog (VDA ISA):

  • Alignment with ISO 27001: Within the "Information Security" module, the VDA ISA catalog heavily draws on ISO 27001 controls while supplementing them with industry-specific criteria.
  • Prototype Protection: Specific physical and organizational security requirements for handling prototypes, test vehicles, and sensitive components.
  • Data Protection Integration (GDPR): Assessment of data processing agreements and compliance with data privacy standards for connected vehicle and telematics data.
  • Industry-Wide Recognition: Once earned, TISAX® labels can be securely shared with multiple OEMs and partners via the ENX platform.
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Risks of Operating Without a TISAX® Label in the B2B Automotive Sector

Lacking proof of an auditable Information Security Management System (ISMS) based on VDA ISA leads to immediate competitive disadvantages:

  • Loss of Supplier Status & New Business: No awarding of new projects or prototyping contracts without the required TISAX® Assessment Level.
  • Project Delays: Lengthy, customer-specific security questionnaires waste valuable internal capacity.
  • Exposure of Sensitive Customer Data: Inadequate protection of CAD files, engineering designs, or prototypes causes severe reputational damage.
  • Audit Failure: Poor preparation results in non-conformities and costly re-assessments.
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Fast-Track to Your TISAX® Label: Security, Process Insight, and Automotive Expertise

A TISAX® project involves far more than filling out questionnaires. It requires the seamless interplay of physical security, IT safeguards, and clearly defined processes.

Without experienced guidance, organizations often end up with over-engineered controls that paralyze daily operations.

Typical Challenges in TISAX® Preparation:

  • Uncertainty around required scopes: Clutter and confusion regarding Assessment Levels (AL 1, AL 2, or AL 3) and the correct audit scope.
  • Complex requirements: Overwhelm when interpreting granular VDA ISA criteria.
  • Siloed security operations: Lack of integration between physical access controls, IT security, and vendor management.
  • Documentation overload: High time expenditure for drafting audit-ready policy and process documentation.

Our TÜV-certified TISAX® consultants guide you efficiently to your target maturity level—pragmatically, transparently, and aligned with your budget.

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Our Service

We guide your organization step-by-step through every phase of the TISAX® process—right up to the publication of your label on the ENX platform.

1. Baseline Assessment & Scope Definition

  • Customer Requirement Analysis: Evaluation of OEM mandates to determine the correct scope and Assessment Level (AL 1–3).
  • VDA ISA GAP Analysis: Comprehensive gap analysis based on the latest VDA ISA catalog.
  • Actionable Roadmap: Creation of a targeted remediation plan to address identified security gaps.

2. ISMS Implementation & Customization

  • Policy & Documentation Framework: Drafting and optimization of required security policies, business continuity plans, and role profiles.
  • Risk & Asset Management: Alignment of risk and asset management procedures with VDA ISA specifications.
  • Specialized Modules: Integration of high-security modules such as prototype protection and third-party vendor management.

3. Pre-Audit & Team Readiness

  • Mock Audit: Realistic simulation of the audit environment to evaluate current maturity levels.
  • Awareness & Audit Training: Staff training on security policies and optimal conduct during auditor interviews.
  • Documentation Package: Finalization of complete, audit-ready documentation.

4. Audit Defense & Label Publication

  • ENX & Provider Selection: Registration support on the ENX platform and assistance in selecting an accredited audit provider.
  • On-Site Audit Support: Active presence and backing by our TÜV-certified consultants during audit days.
  • Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Swift resolution of potential non-conformities to ensure rapid label release.

What makes us strong:

Experience & expertise

Certified. Industry-Experienced. Solution-Oriented.

Our consultants are fully qualified ISMS auditors and TISAX® specialists. We know OEM requirements inside out and understand exactly what audit firms look for during assessment.

  • TÜV-Certified Experts: Deep specialization in VDA ISA, ISO 27001, and prototype protection.
  • 20+ Years of Experience: Established partner for mid-sized automotive suppliers, engineering firms, and service providers.
  • Proven Methodology: Standardized best-practice templates that significantly accelerate implementation.
Industry focus & practical relevance

Designed to Protect Your Operations, Not Slow Them Down

We translate complex VDA requirements into clear, actionable steps for your team—building security frameworks that support your daily business rather than hindering it.

  • Efficient Resource Management: We handle the heavy documentation lifting so your internal experts can remain focused on their core responsibilities.
  • Targeted Compliance: We aim for the precise maturity level required for your target Assessment Level—no over-engineering or unnecessary overhead.
  • 360° Coverage: Seamless integration of IT security, physical building security, and data privacy.
Full-service support

The Path to Your TISAX® Label: Structured and Transparent

As your consulting partner, we lead you step-by-step through the entire project.

  • Step 1: Baseline Assessment & GAP Analysis
    As-is analysis using the VDA ISA catalog and definition of targeted action items.
  • Step 2: Implementation & Documentation
    Establishment of security policies, core processes, and technical-organizational measures (TOMs).
  • Step 3: Pre-Audit & Team Training
    Dry run under real conditions and thorough training of your team for auditor interviews.
  • Step 4: Assessment Audit & ENX Publication
    On-site audit support alongside the audit provider and publication of your official label on the ENX platform.

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Achieve Success Through Targeted Preparation:

Our SUCCESS STORY: How We Successfully Prepared Even Demanding Special Cases—Like Photographer Stefan Bogner—for TISAX® Assessment

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FAQ - TISAX® & VDA-ISA

What is TISAX® and who needs a TISAX® Label?

TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a universal assessment and exchange mechanism for information security in the automotive industry. It targets automotive suppliers, service providers, software developers, and logistics partners working for OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers who need to demonstrate proof of data confidentiality and information security.

What is the difference between ISO 27001 and TISAX®?

While ISO 27001 is an industry-agnostic, international standard for information security, TISAX® builds directly on the VDA ISA catalog. Although VDA ISA relies heavily on ISO 27001 controls, it adds specific automotive requirements, such as prototype protection criteria and integration with the ENX platform.

What do the Assessment Levels (AL 1, AL 2, AL 3) mean?

The Assessment Levels determine the depth and rigor of the audit:

AL 1 (Assessment Level 1): Pure self-assessment and plausibility check (typically for very low protection requirements).
AL 2 (Assessment Level 2): Plausibility check of your documentation paired with sample testing (frequently conducted via remote audit).
AL 3 (Assessment Level 3): Full on-site audit conducted by an independent accredited audit provider, required for high protection needs or prototype protection.

How long does a TISAX® project take until the label is granted?

Depending on your existing IT security level and available internal resources, preparation typically takes between 4 and 8 months. By leveraging our practical templates and targeted project management, this timeframe can often be significantly reduced.

How long is a TISAX® label valid?

A TISAX® label is valid for exactly three years after a successful assessment. Once the three-year period expires, a re-assessment must be conducted to renew the label.

What role does the ENX Association play in TISAX®?

The ENX Association manages TISAX® on behalf of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). It accredits the independent audit providers (such as TÜV, DEKRA, and DQS) and operates the secure online platform that companies use to share their audit results with OEMs and business partners.

What is an ISMS?

An ISMS stands for Information Security Management System (Informationssicherheits-Managementsystem). It is a systematic framework of policies, procedures, and controls designed to protect an organization's sensitive data through ongoing planning, implementation, review, and improvement.

What are the requirements for TISAX® and the Assessment Levels?

TISAX® requirements and assessment levels depend heavily on the protection needs of the data your company handles—such as early-stage development data, physical prototypes, or sensitive personal information.

These core requirements are structured within the VDA ISA catalog and scaled across three distinct assessment levels (AL 1 to AL 3).

Which TISAX® Level Do You Need to Master?

Which TISAX® level (assessment level) you need to master depends on the type of information you process and how high the protection needs for that information are—in other words, how sensitive and high-risk it is.

How long does audit preparation for a TISAX® certification take?

The preparation time for a TISAX® audit can vary significantly depending on:

  • Company size
  • Maturity level of your existing information security
  • Complexity of the scope
  • Desired assessment level (AL 1–3)