What is the primary objective of TISAX?

TISAX standardizes information security assessments and enables secure exchange of results across the automotive supply chain. Developed by the ENX Association using the VDA ISA catalog (version 5.0.4 or later), it verifies protection of sensitive data like IP, prototypes, and personal information against cyber threats via CIA triad controls at Basic, Significant, or Very High maturity levels.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with TISAX?

TISAX is contractually required by OEMs for automotive suppliers handling sensitive data. Targets include Tier 1/Tier 2 suppliers, OEMs (e.g., Volkswagen, BMW), service providers (logistics, IT/cloud), and organizations processing OEM IP, prototypes, or ADAS software; scalable for SMEs to multinationals via ENX portal registration.

Does TISAX require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, TISAX mandates external audits by ENX-accredited providers for Significant and Very High levels. AL1 allows self-assessment (no label); AL2 involves remote plausibility checks; AL3 requires on-site audits with interviews, facility inspections, and evidence review, issuing labels valid for 3 years uploaded to the ENX portal.

How often should an assessment for TISAX be performed?

TISAX assessments are valid for 3 years, with no mandatory surveillance audits. Reassess upon label expiry or significant changes (e.g., new scopes, risks); internal audits, PDCA cycles, and quarterly reviews sustain maturity across 70+ VDA ISA controls.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with TISAX?

Non-compliance risks contractual termination, lost revenue, and exclusion from OEM portals. Penalties include 5% of contract value fines, €20,000-€100,000 re-audit costs, reputational damage, and production halts; e.g., Tier 2 suppliers forfeit €10-50M orders.

Can TISAX be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, TISAX maps directly to ISO 27001/27002 via VDA ISA controls. Overlaps enable 20-30% efficiency in integrated audits; leverages existing ISMS for policy, access, operations, and supplier risks, with automotive extensions like prototype protection.

What is the first step to begin implementing TISAX?

Register on the ENX portal (enx.com) and define ASLP (Assessment Scope and Leadership Profile). Download VDA ISA catalog, conduct gap analysis across 7 control groups, assemble cross-functional team, and prioritize remediation for target maturity level.

What is the primary objective of AS9110C?

AS9110C's primary objective is to enable aviation maintenance organizations to consistently provide products and services meeting customer and statutory/regulatory requirements while enhancing customer satisfaction through effective QMS application and continual improvement. It incorporates ISO 9001:2015's Annex SL structure (Clauses 4–10) with maintenance-specific additions like configuration management, product safety, counterfeit parts prevention, traceability, preservation, and human factors controls to ensure continuing airworthiness.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9110C?

AS9110C applies to aviation maintenance organizations, including repair stations, MRO providers, and OEMs with autonomous maintenance operations, regardless of size. It targets entities performing maintenance, repair, overhaul, or continuing airworthiness management on civil/military aircraft/components, where certification is often mandated by customers, OEMs, or regulators like FAA/EASA for contract eligibility and OASIS listing.

Does AS9110C require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, AS9110C requires third-party certification through accredited bodies, with initial Stage 1/2 audits followed by annual surveillance and triennial recertification. The QMS must be fully operational for at least three months, including a full internal audit cycle and management review, before certification audit.

How often should an assessment for AS9110C be performed?

Internal audits for AS9110C must be performed at planned intervals based on process risk, status, and results, with a full cycle covering all processes before certification. Management reviews occur at regular intervals (e.g., annually), using performance data; external surveillance audits are annual, recertification every three years.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9110C?

Non-compliance with AS9110C risks loss of certification, exclusion from contracts, regulatory sanctions (e.g., FAA/EASA Part 145 certificate suspension), fines, and safety incidents from poor configuration/traceability. It can lead to OEM blacklisting via OASIS, litigation, and operational shutdowns.

Can AS9110C be mapped to other international frameworks?

AS9110C aligns with ISO 9001:2015 via shared Annex SL structure, enabling mapping of Clauses 4–10 for integrated systems. IAQG correlation matrices support harmonization, but customer/regulatory requirements override where conflicts arise.

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9110C?

The first step is to define QMS scope, determine internal/external issues (Clause 4), identify interested parties, and conduct a gap analysis against Clauses 4–10. Justify any non-applicable requirements and map to regulatory approvals like FAA/EASA.

Standards Comparison

TISAX vs AS9110C

TISAX

Mandatory

2017

Automotive standard for secure information exchange in supply chains

AS9110C

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace standard for aircraft maintenance quality management systems.

Quick Verdict

TISAX ensures information security for automotive supply chains via standardized assessments, while AS9110C delivers quality management for aviation MROs with maintenance-specific controls. Organizations adopt TISAX for OEM trust and AS9110C for regulatory compliance and market access.

Cybersecurity

TISAX

Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

ENX portal enables one assessment for multiple partners
Automotive-specific prototype protection controls and modules
Tiered levels AL1 self-assess to AL3 on-site audits
VDA ISA maturity model grades controls 0-5 scale
Builds on ISO 27001 with supply chain focus

Quality Management

AS9110C

AS9110C Quality Management Systems for Aviation Maintenance

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Risk-based thinking in operational planning and execution
Configuration management and traceability controls
Counterfeit and suspect parts prevention
Human factors in root cause analysis
Continuing airworthiness and release requirements

Detailed Analysis

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

TISAX Details

What It Is

TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is an industry-specific assessment framework and exchange platform for the automotive sector. Developed by VDA and managed by ENX Association, it verifies protection of sensitive data like prototypes and IP using VDA ISA catalog version 5.0.4 or later. It employs a risk-based approach with three maturity levels: Basic (AL1), Significant (AL2), Very High (AL3).

Key Components

70+ controls across 7 groups: policy, organization, personnel, physical security, access, cryptography, operations.
Modular objectives: information security, prototype protection (parts/vehicles/events), data protection.
Built on ISO 27001 ISMS with automotive extensions.
Labels valid 3 years, shared via ENX portal.

Why Organizations Use It

OEMs mandate it contractually for suppliers; non-compliance risks contract loss. Benefits: reduces duplicate audits (70-90%), enhances market access, mitigates breaches (€4.5M avg cost), builds trust in €2.5T chain.

Implementation Overview

Phased: preparation/gap analysis (1-3m), remediation/tabletops (3-9m), audit/label (2-4m), sustainment. Applies to OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers, services; scalable for SMEs/multinationals. Requires ENX-accredited audits for AL2/AL3.

AS9110C Details

What It Is

AS9110C (AS9110:2016 Rev C) is an international quality management system (QMS) standard for aviation maintenance organizations (MROs), such as repair stations. It builds on ISO 9001:2015 with aerospace-specific requirements for continuing airworthiness, using a risk-based thinking approach and Annex SL high-level structure across Clauses 4–10.

Key Components

Core pillars: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
Aviation additions: configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, traceability, preservation.
Built on PDCA cycle; no fixed number of controls—focuses on documented information and process effectiveness.
Certification via IAQG-accredited bodies with OASIS listing.

Why Organizations Use It

Meets customer/OEM contracts and regulatory alignment (FAA/EASA).
Mitigates safety risks, ensures traceability for airworthiness.
Enhances on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, market access.
Builds stakeholder trust through auditable QMS.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6–12 months typical).
Applies to MROs globally; requires internal audits, management review before certification.

Key Differences

Aspect	TISAX	AS9110C
Scope	Information security in automotive supply chain	Quality management for aviation maintenance
Industry	Automotive suppliers, OEMs, Europe-focused	Aerospace MRO organizations, global aviation
Nature	Voluntary security assessment exchange	Voluntary quality certification standard
Testing	Self-assess to on-site audits, 3 levels	Internal audits, certification audits, 3-year cycle
Penalties	Contract loss, no legal fines	Certification loss, regulatory sanctions

Scope

TISAX

Information security in automotive supply chain

AS9110C

Quality management for aviation maintenance

Industry

TISAX

Automotive suppliers, OEMs, Europe-focused

AS9110C

Aerospace MRO organizations, global aviation

Nature

TISAX

Voluntary security assessment exchange

AS9110C

Voluntary quality certification standard

Testing

TISAX

Self-assess to on-site audits, 3 levels

AS9110C

Internal audits, certification audits, 3-year cycle

Penalties

TISAX

Contract loss, no legal fines

AS9110C

Certification loss, regulatory sanctions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about TISAX and AS9110C

TISAX FAQ

AS9110C FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

70+ controls across 7 groups: policy, organization, personnel, physical security, access, cryptography, operations.

Modular objectives: information security, prototype protection (parts/vehicles/events), data protection.

Built on ISO 27001 ISMS with automotive extensions.

Labels valid 3 years, shared via ENX portal.

What It Is

Key Components

Core pillars: context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.

Aviation additions: configuration management, counterfeit parts prevention, human factors, traceability, preservation.

Built on PDCA cycle; no fixed number of controls—focuses on documented information and process effectiveness.

Certification via IAQG-accredited bodies with OASIS listing.

Aspect

TISAX

AS9110C

Scope

Information security in automotive supply chain

Quality management for aviation maintenance

Industry

Automotive suppliers, OEMs, Europe-focused

Aerospace MRO organizations, global aviation

Nature

Voluntary security assessment exchange

Voluntary quality certification standard

Testing

Self-assess to on-site audits, 3 levels

Internal audits, certification audits, 3-year cycle

Penalties

Contract loss, no legal fines

Certification loss, regulatory sanctions