What is TISAX?
TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a standardized assessment and exchange mechanism developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and managed by the ENX Association. It enables automotive companies to demonstrate information security maturity aligned with ISO/IEC 27001 and industry-specific requirements.
Purpose:
TISAX provides a unified, trusted framework for manufacturers, suppliers, and partners to:
- Assess information security consistently
- Ensure GDPR compliance
- Protect prototypes and sensitive IP
- Reduce duplicate audit efforts across the supply chain
Who Needs TISAX Compliance? Applicability, Triggers, and Requirements
Is TISAX Compliance Required for My Organization?
TISAX compliance is not mandated by law, but in practice, it is often a prerequisite for doing business within the European automotive supply chain. Use this quick checklist to determine if you should pursue TISAX:
- Do you handle sensitive data (e.g., prototypes, technical specs, personal information) for a European automotive manufacturer or supplier?
- Has a current or prospective automotive client asked you for TISAX certification as part of a contract, RFP, or vendor onboarding process?
- Are you a supplier, sub-supplier, service provider, or partner (including IT, logistics, R&D, or consulting) with access to confidential automotive data?
- Are you planning to enter the European automotive market or expand relationships with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers?
- Do you rely on vendors or partners who may also be required to demonstrate TISAX compliance due to shared data or joint projects?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, TISAX compliance is likely required—either now or in the near future.
Common Triggers That Make TISAX Effectively Mandatory
- Contractual obligations from automotive clients
- Participation in RFPs or tenders for automotive projects
- Handling or processing of prototype, R&D, or personal data
- Onboarding as a new supplier to a European OEM or Tier 1 supplier
- Requests from upstream or downstream partners in your supply chain
Tip: Even if you are not directly required to certify, your partners or vendors may need you to comply to maintain their own certification status.
Applicability Matrix: Who Needs TISAX and When?
Organization Type Typical Trigger for TISAX Is TISAX Mandatory? Likely Assessment Level OEM/Manufacturer Internal policy, client demand Yes AL2/AL3 Tier 1 Supplier Client contract, RFP Yes AL2/AL3 Sub-supplier Upstream partner requirement Often AL1/AL2 Service Provider (IT, R&D) Access to sensitive automotive data Often AL2/AL3 Logistics/Transport Handling prototypes or critical parts Conditional AL1/AL2 Non-European Companies Working with EU automotive clients Often AL2/AL3
Real-World Example Scenarios
- A US-based software company is asked by a German automaker to process vehicle telemetry data. The automaker requires TISAX certification before signing the contract.
- A logistics provider transporting prototype vehicles for a European OEM is required to demonstrate TISAX compliance due to the sensitivity of the cargo.
- An R&D consultancy developing advanced driver-assistance systems for multiple OEMs is asked to certify to TISAX AL3 because of the highly sensitive nature of the project data.
TISAX Compliance in Technology and Cloud Services
How TISAX Applies to Cloud and Technology Platforms
As organizations increasingly rely on cloud services and advanced technology platforms, understanding how TISAX compliance intersects with these environments is critical. TISAX requirements are not limited to on-premises IT—they extend to any infrastructure, application, or service that processes, stores, or transmits sensitive automotive data. This includes major public cloud providers, SaaS platforms, and managed IT services.
How Cloud Providers Support TISAX Compliance
Leading cloud and technology providers recognize the importance of TISAX for automotive customers and have taken steps to align their services with TISAX requirements:
- Independent TISAX Assessments: Providers such as Microsoft Azure and Palo Alto Networks have undergone independent audits by ENX-accredited assessors. Their successful assessments demonstrate that specific data center regions and services meet TISAX standards for information security, data protection, and prototype confidentiality.
- Attestation and Documentation: Cloud vendors typically make their TISAX assessment results available through the ENX Portal, using a unique scope ID. This allows customers and partners to verify the provider’s compliance status and understand exactly which regions and services are covered.
- Assessment Levels and Scope: Not all cloud regions or services may be covered at the same TISAX assessment level. For example, only certain data center regions may be certified at AL3 (the highest level), which is required for processing highly sensitive or confidential data. Organizations must ensure that their workloads are deployed within the certified scope.
Best Practices for Using Cloud Services in TISAX-Regulated Environments
To maximize compliance and minimize risk when leveraging cloud or technology platforms for TISAX-regulated data:
- Verify Certification Scope: Always check the provider’s TISAX scope and assessment level via the ENX Portal. Confirm that the regions and services you intend to use are included.
- Understand Shared Responsibility: While cloud providers secure the infrastructure, customers remain responsible for configuring their environments, managing access, and implementing application-level controls.
- Document Data Flows: Maintain clear documentation of where sensitive data is processed or stored, especially if using multiple cloud regions or hybrid environments.
- Request Attestation Evidence: Obtain and retain the provider’s TISAX assessment documentation for your own audit and due diligence processes.
Choosing a TISAX-Aligned Technology Partner
When selecting cloud or technology partners, consider:
- Their TISAX certification status and assessment level
- Geographic and service coverage relevant to your operations
- Ease of accessing attestation reports and support for compliance documentation
- Alignment with your own TISAX scope and requirements
By proactively addressing these considerations, organizations can confidently leverage cloud and technology platforms while maintaining robust TISAX compliance.
Essential Resources and Support Channels for TISAX Compliance
Achieving and maintaining TISAX compliance is rarely a solo journey. Organizations benefit greatly from tapping into a robust ecosystem of official resources, expert advisory services, automation platforms, and peer communities. Leveraging these support channels can accelerate your progress, reduce uncertainty, and ensure audit-ready results.
1. Official TISAX and VDA Resources
- ENX Portal: The ENX Association manages TISAX and provides a central portal for registration, official documentation, assessment results, and FAQs. This is the authoritative source for process updates, auditor lists, and compliance news.
- VDA ISA Documentation: The VDA Information Security Assessment (ISA) catalog is the foundation of TISAX requirements. The latest versions and updates are available directly from the VDA website.
- TISAX Participant Handbook: This comprehensive guide details each step of the TISAX journey, from scoping to assessment and remediation. It is invaluable for both first-time applicants and those seeking recertification.
2. Accredited Consultants and Audit Providers
Navigating TISAX requirements can be complex. Accredited consultants and audit providers offer tailored support, including gap assessments, policy reviews, and readiness workshops. Engaging experienced professionals can help clarify ambiguous requirements, streamline documentation, and avoid common pitfalls.
3. Automation and Compliance Management Platforms
Modern compliance platforms can significantly reduce manual effort by automating evidence collection, mapping controls, and tracking remediation tasks. These tools often include:
- Pre-built templates aligned with VDA ISA domains
- Integration with common IT and security tools
- Real-time dashboards for audit readiness
4. Peer Communities and Industry Groups
Connecting with industry peers through user groups, forums, or virtual events can provide practical insights and shared experiences. These communities are valuable for benchmarking, troubleshooting, and staying informed about regulatory changes or best practices.
5. Cloud and Technology Provider Support
Major cloud and technology providers often offer dedicated compliance resources, attestation documentation, and customer support channels for TISAX-related inquiries. Leverage these to ensure your technology stack remains aligned with evolving requirements.
How Trustero Helps: Start with Speed, Win with Quality
TISAX readiness is not just about moving fast — it’s about getting it right. High-quality inputs (controls, policies, evidence) determine certification success. Trustero balances speed and substance by:
- Flagging gaps
- Validating control and evidence quality
- Guiding teams step-by-step through readiness
You can start with Trustero’s curated content set or bring your own controls and documentation.
Option 1: Use Our Curated Content Set
- Pre-built controls mapped to VDA ISA domains
- Aligned with ISO 27001 across assessment levels (AL1–AL3)
- Provides a high-quality foundation for controls and documentation
Option 2: Bring Your Own Controls & Policies
Upload your documentation and let Trustero’s AI assess alignment:
- Policy design & structure
- Control objectives & clarity
- Evidence type & relevance
- Audit test procedures
Outcome: Less rework, auditor-ready quality from the start
Why Trustero for TISAX?
- Guarantee audit-worthy outcomes through data-in quality
- Align ISO 27001 & TISAX maturity simultaneously
- Eliminate redundancy across customers and partners
- Enable clarity, collaboration, and continuous improvement
TISAX Compliance: Common Pain Points & How Trustero Solves Them
How Trustero Solves ItAmbiguity in VDA ISA requirementsCurated content + AI modeling translates vague expectations into actionable, auditable tasksManual, redundant evidence collectionIntegrations with Jira, Google Workspace, EDRs automate evidence collection & organizationPoor alignment with ISO 27001Mapping engine links ISO controls & evidence directly to TISAX for maximum reuseLack of readiness visibilityDashboards show real-time status by domain, policy, and evidenceHigher assessment levels (AL2–AL3) require rigorGuided examples, quality checks, and tailored steps clarify what “good enough” looks likePainful cross-functional collaborationCentralized platform unifies security, engineering, privacy & legal with linked policies, controls, evidence