Standards Comparison

    AS9120B

    Mandatory
    2016

    Aerospace QMS standard for parts distributors and stockists

    VS

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules

    Mandatory
    2023

    U.S. regulation for public company cybersecurity disclosures.

    Quick Verdict

    AS9120B ensures aerospace distributor quality via traceability and counterfeit controls for supply chain approval, while U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules mandate public firms disclose material incidents and governance for investor transparency.

    Quality Management

    AS9120B

    AS9120B Quality Management Systems for Distributors

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Prevents counterfeit parts via verification and quarantine processes
    • Ensures traceability for split lots and chain-of-custody
    • Mandates configuration management using sales order records
    • Requires risk-based external provider evaluation and flowdown
    • Demands product safety and ethical behavior awareness training
    Capital Markets

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules

    Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, Incident Disclosure

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Four-business-day material incident disclosure on Form 8-K
    • Annual risk management, strategy, governance disclosures in Item 106
    • Inline XBRL tagging for machine-readable cyber data
    • Board oversight and management expertise requirements
    • Inclusion of third-party systems in incident scope

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    AS9120B Details

    What It Is

    AS9120B is the official quality management system standard (AS9120 Rev B, 2016) for aviation, space, and defense distributors, built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure with over 100 aerospace-specific additions. It targets organizations procuring, storing, splitting, and reselling parts without altering characteristics, using a risk-based thinking approach to mitigate supply chain risks like traceability loss and counterfeits.

    Key Components

    • Core pillars: context analysis, leadership, planning, support, operations, evaluation, improvement.
    • Distributor emphases: counterfeit prevention, traceability for split lots, configuration management, external provider controls.
    • Built on Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA); requires documented information, not full procedures.
    • Certification via accredited bodies, listed in IAQG OASIS database.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enables market access to OEMs/Tier 1 suppliers via ~2,442 global certifications.
    • Reduces risks of nonconformities, recalls, and commercial exclusion.
    • Builds trust through auditable chain-of-custody and supplier verification.
    • Drives efficiency in inventory, delivery, and continual improvement.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months typical).
    • Applies to stockists/distributors globally; scales by size.
    • Involves internal audits, management reviews, third-party Stage 1/2 certification.

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules Details

    What It Is

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules (Release No. 33-11216) is a federal regulation mandating standardized disclosures for Exchange Act reporting companies. It requires timely reporting of material cybersecurity incidents and annual descriptions of risk management, strategy, and governance. The approach is materiality-based, aligning with securities law principles without bright-line thresholds.

    Key Components

    • **Form 8-K Item 1.05Four-business-day disclosure of material incidents' nature, scope, timing, and impacts.
    • **Regulation S-K Item 106Annual disclosures on risk processes, third-party oversight, board oversight, and management's role/expertise.
    • Inline XBRL tagging for structured data comparability.
    • Applies to domestic issuers (10-K/8-K) and FPIs (20-F/6-K); no certification but integrates with disclosure controls.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Enhances investor protection via timely, uniform information; reduces asymmetry; supports capital efficiency. Mandatory for public companies to avoid enforcement; strengthens governance; builds stakeholder trust amid rising cyber threats.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased compliance (Dec 2023 onward); involves cross-functional playbooks, materiality frameworks, IRP updates, TPRM enhancements. Targets all public filers; requires process integration, training, XBRL readiness; no external certification but SEC review/enforcement.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    AS9120B
    Aerospace distributor QMS, traceability, counterfeit prevention
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    Public company cyber incident disclosure and governance

    Industry

    AS9120B
    Aerospace distribution, global certifications
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    U.S. public companies, all sectors, SEC registrants

    Nature

    AS9120B
    Voluntary certification standard based on ISO 9001
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    Mandatory SEC disclosure regulation

    Testing

    AS9120B
    IAQG audits, internal audits, management review
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    No formal testing; disclosure controls evaluation

    Penalties

    AS9120B
    Loss of certification, market exclusion
    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules
    SEC enforcement, fines, civil penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about AS9120B and U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules

    AS9120B FAQ

    U.S. SEC Cybersecurity Rules FAQ

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