TISAX
Automotive standard for trusted information security assessments exchange
NERC CIP
Mandatory standards for BES cybersecurity and reliability
Quick Verdict
TISAX standardizes automotive supply chain info sec via assessments for OEM trust, while NERC CIP mandates BES cyber-physical protections for grid reliability. Automotive firms adopt TISAX for contracts; utilities follow CIP to avoid FERC fines and outages.
TISAX
Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange (TISAX)
Key Features
- Centralized ENX portal enables result sharing across partners
- Automotive-specific prototype protection and IP controls
- Risk-based assessment levels AL1-AL3 with maturity grading
- VDA ISA catalog adapts ISO 27001 for sector needs
- Three-year labels reduce duplicate OEM audits
NERC CIP
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards
Key Features
- Risk-based BES Cyber System impact categorization
- Mandatory FERC-enforced annual audits and penalties
- Electronic/physical security perimeters with monitoring
- 35-day patch evaluation and configuration monitoring
- Incident response/recovery plans with testing
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 for standardizing information security assessments in the automotive supply chain. Developed by VDA and managed by ENX Association, it verifies protection of sensitive data like IP, prototypes, and personal information using the VDA ISA catalog. It employs a risk-based approach with three assessment levels (AL1-AL3) based on protection needs.
Key Components
- Core pillars: Policy, access control, operations, supplier relationships, prototype protection.
- 70+ controls in VDA ISA, derived from ISO 27001.
- Maturity grading (0-5 scale), requiring level 3+ for compliance.
- **Certification modelLabels valid 3 years, shared via ENX portal.
Why Organizations Use It
OEMs mandate TISAX contractually for suppliers, preventing revenue loss and access denial. It mitigates cyber risks, reduces duplicate audits (70-90% savings), enables market access, and builds trust in €2.5T chain. Enhances resilience and ROI through efficiencies.
Implementation Overview
Phased: Preparation/gap analysis (1-3 months), remediation/tabletops (3-9 months), audit (2-4 months), sustainment. Targets automotive ecosystem (OEMs, Tier 1/2 suppliers, services); scalable for SMEs to globals. Requires ENX-accredited audits for AL2/AL3.
NERC CIP Details
What It Is
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards are mandatory cybersecurity and physical security regulations for the North American Bulk Electric System (BES). Developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and enforced by FERC, they employ a risk-based, tiered approach categorizing BES Cyber Systems as High, Medium, or Low impact to prioritize controls.
Key Components
- Core standards: CIP-002 (scoping) to CIP-014 (supply chain/physical security), ~45 requirements across asset identification, perimeters, system hardening, personnel training, incident response.
- Built on governance (CIP Senior Manager), recurring cycles (15/35-day reviews), and evidence retention (3 years).
- Compliance via annual audits, penalties up to $1M+ per violation.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal mandate for BES owners/operators to prevent misoperation/instability.
- Mitigates cyber-physical risks, reduces outages (e.g., 2003 blackout lessons).
- Enhances resilience, insurance benefits, stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
Phased: scoping, policy development, technical controls, testing. Applies to utilities/transmission entities in US/Canada/Mexico; requires audits, no certification but ongoing enforcement.
Key Differences
| Aspect | TISAX | NERC CIP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Automotive info sec, prototypes, CIA triad | BES cyber-physical reliability, grid stability |
| Industry | Automotive supply chain, global OEMs/suppliers | Electric utilities, BES owners/operators North America |
| Nature | Voluntary industry assessment/exchange platform | Mandatory enforceable reliability standards |
| Testing | AL1-3 self/audit, 3-year label validity | Annual audits, 35/15-day cadences, 3-year retention |
| Penalties | Contract loss, no legal fines | FERC fines up to $1M+, operational penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about TISAX and NERC CIP
TISAX FAQ
NERC CIP FAQ
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