What is the primary objective of TISAX?

TISAX's primary objective is to standardize information security assessments and enable secure exchange of results across the automotive supply chain via the ENX Portal. Developed by the ENX Association using the VDA ISA catalog (version 6.0 as of 2023), it verifies protection of sensitive data like prototypes, IP, and personal information at three assessment levels (AL1 self-assessment, AL2 remote check, AL3 on-site audit), emphasizing CIA triad plus prototype protection.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with TISAX?

TISAX is a contractual requirement, not legal mandate, for automotive OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers, service providers, and logistics firms handling sensitive data. OEMs like Volkswagen and BMW mandate it in RFPs for IP access; non-compliance risks contract termination. Scalable for SMEs (self-assess) to multinationals; over 2,000 ENX participants as of 2023.

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

Yes, TISAX requires external audits by ENX-accredited providers (e.g., DQS, TÜV) for AL2 and AL3, issuing labels valid for three years. AL1 is self-assessment only (no label); AL2 involves remote plausibility checks; AL3 mandates on-site inspections for prototype objectives. Results are uploaded to ENX Portal for sharing.

How often should an assessment for TISAX be performed?

TISAX assessments must be fully repeated every three years to renew labels. No annual surveillance audits; organizations maintain via internal PDCA cycles, risk reviews, and tabletop exercises. Re-scope for changes (e.g., new OEM contracts); Simplified Group Assessment (SGA) aids multi-site renewals.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with TISAX?

Non-compliance results in contractual termination, lost OEM portal access, and revenue forfeiture (e.g., €10-50M for mid-tier suppliers). ENX-partnered OEMs impose penalties up to 5% of contract value, plus €20K-€100K re-audit costs; reputational damage from breaches cascades supply chain disruptions.

Can TISAX be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, TISAX maps extensively to ISO 27001/27002 via VDA ISA's 70+ controls across seven groups (e.g., Policy, Access, Operations). Enables 20-30% efficiency in integrated audits; covers NIS2-relevant requirements per ENX. Reuse ISMS evidence for harmonization, reducing duplication.

What is the first step to begin implementing TISAX?

The first step is registering on the ENX Portal (enx.com) and defining Assessment Scope and Leadership Profile (ASLP). Download VDA ISA 6.0 Excel for gap analysis against maturity levels (0-5, target ≥3); classify data needs (Normal/High/Very High) with OEMs.

What is the primary objective of AS9120B?

AS9120B establishes a quality management system (QMS) for organizations that procure, store, split, and resell aerospace parts without altering product characteristics. Built on ISO 9001:2015’s 10-clause structure, it adds over 100 aerospace-specific requirements targeting distribution risks like loss of traceability, counterfeit/suspected unapproved parts, documentation errors, and external provider weaknesses. Core focus: chain-of-custody integrity via identification/traceability (Clause 8.5.2), counterfeit prevention (Clauses 8.1.4/8.1.5), configuration management (8.1.2), and preservation controls.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with AS9120B?

AS9120B applies to aviation, space, and defense distributors that purchase, store, split, or resell parts without modifying conformity. It targets stockist distributors, pass-through distributors, and batch splitters, excluding value-added activities altering characteristics (e.g., machining) or MRO. Certification is not legally mandatory but commercially essential—OEMs/primes require it for supply chain approval; ~2,442 global certifications (836 U.S., May 2023) enable OASIS listing and market access.

Does AS9120B require an external audit or third-party certification?

Yes, AS9120B requires third-party certification via accredited registrars using AS9101F audit criteria. Organizations undergo Stage 1 (documentation review) and Stage 2 (on-site effectiveness audit), followed by annual surveillance and triennial recertification. IAQG oversight ensures consistency; certification demonstrates QMS conformity to Clauses 4-10, with OASIS registration for visibility.

How often should an assessment for AS9120B be performed?

AS9120B requires internal audits at planned intervals to cover the QMS annually, plus management reviews at defined intervals aligning with performance evaluation (Clause 9). Audits verify conformity to requirements and effectiveness; schedule per risk/process (e.g., quarterly for high-risk areas like traceability). External surveillance audits occur yearly post-certification, with full recertification every 3 years.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with AS9120B?

Non-compliance with AS9120B risks commercial exclusion, supply chain rejection, and operational liabilities from nonconformities. No direct legal penalties, but OEM contract breaches lead to de-listing; audit failures delay certification; poor controls cause recalls, counterfeit incidents, or safety issues impacting product conformity and traceability.

Can AS9120B be mapped to other international frameworks?

Yes, AS9120B aligns directly with ISO 9001:2015’s high-level structure, enabling seamless mapping of its 10 clauses. Aerospace additions (e.g., counterfeit prevention, traceability) build on ISO baseline without exclusions; “not applicable” determinations (e.g., Clause 8.3 design) must justify no impact on conformity.

What is the first step to begin implementing AS9120B?

Conduct a gap analysis against AS9120B clauses using cross-functional teams to map current processes to requirements. Document scope (Clause 4.3), justify “not applicable” items, identify risks/interested parties (Clauses 4.1/4.2), and prioritize distributor controls like traceability and supplier evaluation for a phased rollout.

Standards Comparison

TISAX vs AS9120B

TISAX

Mandatory

2017

Automotive standard for trusted information security assessments

AS9120B

Mandatory

2016

Aerospace QMS standard for parts distributors.

Quick Verdict

TISAX ensures information security for automotive suppliers via risk-based assessments, while AS9120B mandates quality controls for aerospace distributors emphasizing traceability and counterfeit prevention. Organizations adopt them for supply chain trust, OEM mandates, and market access.

Cybersecurity

TISAX

Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Standardized exchange of assessments via ENX portal
Automotive-specific prototype protection controls
Risk-based levels: AL1 self-assess to AL3 onsite
Maturity-graded controls based on VDA ISA catalog
Reduces duplicate audits across OEM supply chain

Quality Management

AS9120B

AS9120B Quality Management Systems - Requirements

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts prevention
Traceability and chain-of-custody controls for split lots
Risk-based external provider evaluation and monitoring
Configuration management via sales order records
Preservation and product safety during distribution

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 framework developed by the ENX Association and VDA for standardizing information security assessments in the automotive supply chain. It verifies protection of sensitive data like prototypes and IP using VDA ISA catalog (version 5.0.4+), building on ISO 27001 with risk-based maturity levels.

Key Components

**7 control groupsPolicy, Organization, Personnel, Physical Security, Access, Cryptography, Operations.
**Assessment levelsAL1 (self), AL2 (remote), AL3 (onsite).
**ModulesInformation Security, Prototype Protection, Data Protection.
3-year labels shared via ENX portal.

Why Organizations Use It

OEMs mandate TISAX contractually for suppliers, preventing revenue loss and enabling market access. It reduces duplicate audits (70-90% efficiency), mitigates breaches (€4.5M avg cost), builds trust, and drives ROI through resilience and IP protection in €2.5T chain.

Implementation Overview

Phased: Preparation (gap analysis), Remediation (controls, table-tops), Audit (provider like DQS/TÜV), Sustainment. Applies to OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers, services globally; scalable for SMEs to enterprises. Costs €15K-€150K+, 6-18 months.

AS9120B Details

What It Is

AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system standard for aviation, space, and defense distributors. It augments ISO 9001:2015's high-level structure with over 100 aerospace-specific requirements. Primary purpose: ensure traceability, prevent counterfeit parts, and maintain product conformity in distribution without altering characteristics. Adopts risk-based thinking and PDCA approach.

Key Components

Core clauses 4-10 covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
Distributor emphases: counterfeit prevention, traceability for split lots, external provider controls, configuration management, preservation.
Built on ISO 9001:2015; certification via accredited bodies, OASIS listing.

Why Organizations Use It

Commercial prerequisite for OEM/Tier-1 supply chains.
Mitigates risks like traceability loss, documentation errors.
Builds customer trust, enables market access (2,442 global certifications).
Drives efficiency, reduces nonconformities.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, process design, training, audits (6-12 months).
Applies to stockists, pass-through distributors globally.
Requires internal audits, management review, Stage 1/2 certification audits.

Key Differences

Aspect	TISAX	AS9120B
Scope	Information security for sensitive data/prototypes	Quality management for parts distribution/traceability
Industry	Automotive supply chain, global participants	Aerospace distribution, aviation/space/defense
Nature	Voluntary industry assessment/exchange platform	Voluntary QMS certification standard
Testing	Self-assess to on-site audits, 3 levels	Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance
Penalties	Contract loss, no legal fines	Market exclusion, no legal penalties

Scope

TISAX

Information security for sensitive data/prototypes

AS9120B

Quality management for parts distribution/traceability

Industry

TISAX

Automotive supply chain, global participants

AS9120B

Aerospace distribution, aviation/space/defense

Nature

TISAX

Voluntary industry assessment/exchange platform

AS9120B

Voluntary QMS certification standard

Testing

TISAX

Self-assess to on-site audits, 3 levels

AS9120B

Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance

Penalties

TISAX

Contract loss, no legal fines

AS9120B

Market exclusion, no legal penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about TISAX and AS9120B

TISAX FAQ

AS9120B FAQ

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What It Is

Key Components

Core clauses 4-10 covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement.

Distributor emphases: counterfeit prevention, traceability for split lots, external provider controls, configuration management, preservation.

Built on ISO 9001:2015; certification via accredited bodies, OASIS listing.

Aspect

TISAX

AS9120B

Scope

Information security for sensitive data/prototypes

Quality management for parts distribution/traceability

Industry

Automotive supply chain, global participants

Aerospace distribution, aviation/space/defense

Nature

Voluntary industry assessment/exchange platform

Voluntary QMS certification standard

Testing

Self-assess to on-site audits, 3 levels

Stage 1/2 certification audits, surveillance

Penalties

Contract loss, no legal fines

Market exclusion, no legal penalties