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TISAX® 2025: Why Quality Managers Need to Lead the Cybersecurity Conversation

DQS Global

Blog Author

Jul 16 , 2025

As cybersecurity expectations rise across the automotive industry, information security is no longer just an IT concern, it’s a quality issue.

The latest developments in TISAX® (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange), including the updated assessment structure and stronger alignment with global standards, have brought one thing into focus: quality managers play a crucial role in managing and sustaining information security compliance.

Here’s why quality leaders need to step forward and drive the cybersecurity conversation within their organizations.

Information Security Is a Core Quality Requirement

For automotive suppliers, delivering quality doesn’t stop at physical products. It includes how you handle sensitive development data, protect prototypes, and secure communication across the supply chain.

TISAX® has become a de facto requirement for doing business with OEMs. And just like IATF 16949 or ISO 9001, quality managers are best positioned to:

Interpret customer-specific requirements
Manage internal audits and assessments
Integrate cybersecurity into existing quality systems

Cybersecurity isn’t an add-on, it’s now part of what defines a “quality” supplier.

people in a car driving down the road happily

TISAX® Builds on Familiar Principles

TISAX® isn’t starting from scratch. Its framework draws heavily from ISO/IEC 27001, but it’s designed specifically for the automotive industry, and that means it's built to integrate with quality and risk-based thinking.

Quality managers already work with:

Documented processes
Continuous improvement systems
Cross-functional teams
Supplier and customer audits

This makes them ideally suited to align TISAX® objectives with existing business systems, without creating unnecessary complexity or duplication.

Risk-Based Thinking Now Includes Cyber Threats

Many quality professionals are already familiar with managing products and process risks. Now, those same skills are essential for managing information-related risks, from IP theft to system vulnerabilities.

TISAX® encourages organizations to take a structured, risk-based approach to information security, especially when it comes to:

Protecting prototype and development data
Managing access controls and physical security
Identifying internal and external threats

Quality managers can help ensure these risks are assessed and controlled with the same discipline used for traditional quality risks.

Rear-side view of a luxury car on sunset

Quality Teams Are Change Leaders

Implementing TISAX® requires more than installing firewalls or updating IT policies. It takes cross-functional coordination, employee awareness, and leadership commitment, all areas where quality teams already lead.

In many organizations, quality managers:

Coordinate internal training
Lead corrective and preventive actions
Ensure compliance across departments

Their involvement in the TISAX® process helps bridge the gap between technical cybersecurity requirements and day-to-day operational practices.

Cybersecurity Assessments Are Now a Competitive Advantage

More OEMs are requiring valid TISAX® labels from their suppliers—and they’re starting to look beyond the minimum level of compliance. Suppliers with a proactive, well-integrated information security strategy are increasingly seen as trusted, long-term partners.

When quality managers take the lead in these efforts, they help position their companies to:

Winning new contracts
Reduce audit fatigue
Build long-term trust with customers

It’s not just about passing an assessment, it’s about demonstrating maturity, resilience, and reliability.

Ready to align quality and information security?

Find out more about TISAX®.

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Author

DQS Global

"In everything we do, we set the highest standards for quality and competence in every project. This makes our actions the benchmark for our industry, but also our own mission statement, which we renew every day"