Standards Comparison

    TISAX

    Mandatory
    2017

    Automotive framework for information security assessments and exchange

    VS

    UAE PDPL

    Mandatory
    2022

    UAE federal law for personal data protection

    Quick Verdict

    TISAX ensures automotive supply chain security via assessments for OEM trust, while UAE PDPL mandates personal data protection for all onshore firms with fines. Automotive suppliers adopt TISAX for contracts; UAE businesses comply to avoid penalties and build trust.

    Cybersecurity

    TISAX

    Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Standardized exchange of results via ENX portal
    • Automotive-specific prototype protection controls
    • Risk-based three assessment levels AL1-AL3
    • Maturity model scoring 0-5 per control
    • One assessment reusable across multiple OEMs
    Data Privacy

    UAE PDPL

    Federal Decree-Law No. 45/2021 on Personal Data Protection

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Extraterritorial scope for foreign processors of UAE data
    • Mandatory Records of Processing Activities for all
    • Risk-based DPO and DPIA requirements
    • GDPR-like data subject rights portfolio
    • Breach notification to UAE Data Bureau

    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 certification framework developed by the ENX Association and based on the VDA ISA catalog. It standardizes information security assessments for the automotive supply chain, focusing on protecting sensitive data like prototypes and IP through risk-based evaluations at three levels: AL1 (self), AL2 (remote), AL3 (on-site).

    Key Components

    • Over 70 controls across policy, access, operations, and prototype protection.
    • Builds on ISO 27001 with automotive extensions.
    • Maturity scoring (0-5) per control.
    • Modular objectives for info security, data protection, prototypes.
    • ENX portal for secure result exchange; labels valid 3 years.

    Why Organizations Use It

    OEMs mandate TISAX contractually, preventing revenue loss and access denial. It reduces duplicate audits (70-90% savings), enhances resilience, enables market access, and builds trust in €2.5T supply chain.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: preparation/gap analysis (1-3 months), remediation/tabletops (3-9), audit (2-4), sustainment. Applies to suppliers/OEMs/services; scalable for SMEs to globals via self-assess or audits (€15k-€150k). 6-18 months typical.

    UAE PDPL Details

    What It Is

    UAE PDPL (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data) is a comprehensive federal regulation establishing UAE's first economy-wide personal data protection framework. Effective 2 January 2022, it governs processing of personal data onshore, with extraterritorial reach for foreign entities targeting UAE residents. It adopts a risk-based approach emphasizing fairness, transparency, and accountability.

    Key Components

    • Core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, security, storage limitation.
    • Obligations: Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), DPO for high-risk processing, DPIAs, data subject rights (access, portability, erasure, objection).
    • No fixed control count; ~47 articles plus pending Executive Regulations.
    • Compliance via self-attestation, Bureau oversight, administrative penalties.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for onshore controllers/processors; aligns with GDPR for multinationals.
    • Mitigates fines, breach risks, builds trust in digital economy.
    • Enables secure data flows, competitive edge in UAE market.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: assess/gap analysis, design controls, operationalize, monitor.
    • Applies to private sector (excl. free zones, health/banking); all sizes.
    • No certification; focus on RoPA, DPIAs, audits. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    TISAX
    Information security in automotive supply chain
    UAE PDPL
    Personal data protection across all sectors

    Industry

    TISAX
    Automotive OEMs, suppliers globally
    UAE PDPL
    All private sectors in UAE onshore

    Nature

    TISAX
    Voluntary industry assessment framework
    UAE PDPL
    Mandatory federal personal data law

    Testing

    TISAX
    Self-assess to on-site AL3 audits
    UAE PDPL
    DPIAs, records, no formal certification

    Penalties

    TISAX
    Contract loss, no legal fines
    UAE PDPL
    Administrative fines up to millions AED

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about TISAX and UAE PDPL

    TISAX FAQ

    UAE PDPL FAQ

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