TISAX® Certification: Costs, Process, and Preparation

TISAX® and its importance for data protection and information security

TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) is a standard developed by the European ENX Association on behalf of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). It enables representatives of the automotive industry to verify and ensure information security within their supply chains, thereby making an important contribution to protecting their data.

Similar to ISO 27001, this standard ensures that companies in the industry adhere to the high security standards required by manufacturers and suppliers for collaboration. Certification demonstrates that companies have implemented an effective Information Security Management System (ISMS) and are continuously monitoring and improving it to manage and protect sensitive corporate information.

To learn about the differences between TISAX® and ISO 27001,
check out our comparison of the two security standards.

Why does the automotive industry need its own standard?

In the automotive industry, information security and data protection are of critical importance. Companies that manufacture cars or supply parts and information to other businesses work with a vast amount of sensitive data. This includes, for example, development plans and customer information. To protect this information, it is essential that companies meet strict requirements. TISAX® certification provides proof that they can present to their business partners. 

Companies that are TISAX® certified can therefore build a reputation as a secure partner and strengthen the trust of their business partners and customers in their business practices. At the same time, the certification provides them with the tools to minimize IT and data protection risks.

Read more about the importance of TISAX® for the automotive industry on our blog.

Cost overview: What effort is involved in TISAX® certification?

As with many other areas, the same applies to certification costs: the final investment amount depends on numerous factors. Since every company is unique, the implementation of measures prior to certification and the audit process itself vary accordingly for every organization. 

In principle, the following factors play a role in the costs of TISAX® certification:

• company size
• the scope of the areas to be audited
• the duration of the TISAX® process
• the audit service provider 

For small companies, costs are generally lower because their scope is usually limited compared to large corporations. Large companies, on the other hand, have to dig deeper into their pockets, as they often include multiple locations and more extensive IT systems in the audit. Various sources indicate a rough range of 10,000 to over 200,000 euros on average.

TISAX® costs in detail

Whether you are a large corporation or an SME, companies must account for various expenses when preparing for and passing a TISAX® assessment, specifically for

• internal resources
• external consulting
• assessment fees 

Internal costs arise, for example, from the resources required to prepare for the assessment, such as internal evaluations, employee training, the implementation of security measures, self-assessments, gap analyses to identify existing security vulnerabilities, the introduction and enforcement of policies, or measures to update internal processes. 

Good to know: The self-assessment helps to evaluate the current state of information security and plan necessary improvements. 

Many companies rely on the expertise of external consultantswhen preparing for certification, and their fees must also be factored in. In connection with the assessment by a certified service provider, costs such as registration fees and fees for individual assessment steps must be paid. 

The costs for auditing services vary depending on the assessment provider and the scope of the assessment, and include the actual audit as well as the issuance of the TISAX® label. They also depend on the number of locations involved in the audit.

Costs you can save with TISAX®

However, companies should be aware that certification not only incurs costs, but on the other hand also saves costs . This includes, for example, premiums for cyber insurance, which protects companies against cyber threats. In addition, an ISMS can be used to close security gaps and reduce the associated financial risks.

Long-term costs and recertification

Even after passing the audit, companies must expect ongoing costs . To maintain the certification and renew it with as little effort as possible, companies must regularly check their ISMS for vulnerabilities and continuously improve it. 

TISAX® certificates are valid for three years. Recertification is necessary to ensure that security standards continue to be met. The effort required for recertification can vary depending on changes in the company structure or IT landscape.

TISAX® certification process

TISAX® certification follows a clearly structured process, which is described in detail in the ENX Association's TISAX® participant handbook. This association of European automotive manufacturers manages the TISAX® standard and is responsible for, among other things, the accreditation of audit providers. 

The following are the three essential steps of the certification process.

1. Registration

In the first step, you register your company for the audit. The paid registration can be completed easily via the ENX Association online portal. This requires providing company details. 

You must also define a scope for the assessment and determine the required extent of the information security audit. Companies must select at least one assessment objective .

You can learn more about the available assessment objectives and what an assessment level is in our free TISAX® guide.

2. Assessment

In the next step, you prepare your company for the assessment. This includes, among other things, a self-assessmentto evaluate the current state of information security and, if necessary, plan remediation measures . The basis for this is the ISA (Information Security Assessment) – the VDA catalog of criteria.

During the audit preparation, the identified gaps are closed and necessary documentation is created. You then select an ENX-approved audit provider to conduct an initial assessment carries out. The service provider inspects the implemented security measures on-site and evaluates them.

There are three different types of audits:

• Initial audit
• Corrective action plan audit
• Follow-up audit

Following the initial audit, the auditor creates a reportthat summarizes the audit results. The goal of the TISAX® audit is to confirm that your information security management system meets all defined requirements.

If there are any discrepancies, you must make improvements and undergo further audit steps. The plan required for this is the corrective action plan. With a corrective action plan audit, you ensure that your plan meets TISAX® requirements.

As part of the follow-up audit, it is then determined whether the discrepancies have been resolved by your established measures. You have nine months to resolve them. If this time has elapsed, you must have an initial audit performed again.

3. Exchange

Once the audit is successfully completed, the TISAX® label is issued. It certifies that your organization meets the required security standards and may be shared with your partners. You will also receive a TISAX® assessment report, which the auditor will coordinate with you.

The audit result is valid for three years and must then be proactively renewed. ENX recommends starting the new process at least one year before the label expires. This is because all three certification steps must be completed again for recertification. This also means that you will incur new costs.

How long does a TISAX® audit take?

The duration of the TISAX® certification process varies depending on the size of the company and the scope of the audit. The longer the certification process takes, the higher the final costs will be. Therefore, companies should aim for the most efficient certification process possible and prepare thoroughly for the audit.

Preparing for the TISAX® audit: Your opportunity to save costs

To minimize the costs of TISAX® certification, companies should focus on thoroughly preparingfor the audit. This means, among other things, that they should begin their self-assessment early to identify potential security gaps.

It is recommended to conduct internal Working groups to form and clear responsibilities to define. Using checklists and standardized processes can also help reduce the effort involved.

Exchanging ideas with other certified companies can also provide valuable insights and best practices. For many companies, collaborating with specialized experts has also proven to be helpful.

At Proliance, as a candidate for TISAX® certification, you receive the necessary expertise and support to navigate the path to robust information security management as efficiently as possible. A personal ISMS consultant helps you stay focused and efficiently prepares your company for TISAX® certification.

Even after passing the certification, the ISMS solution remains a helpful companion, for example by proactively informing you about changes in the law and providing concrete recommendations for action.

Learn more about InfoSec – the efficient solution for anyone looking to save time and money on the road to the TISAX® label.

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Conclusion: Success through good preparation

TISAX® certification is a complex process that offers significant advantages for companies in the automotive industry. Through careful planning and efficient preparation you can keep costs under control and sustainably improve information security within your company.

The ISMS professionals at Proliance are here to help, keeping an eye on both your information security and your data protection.