Build Securely. Deliver Quality.
SECURING AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING
We help automotive manufacturers protect assembly operations, safeguard proprietary designs, and meet stringent OEM security requirements including TISAX while maintaining just-in-time production efficiency.
"Automotive manufacturers operate in a highly competitive, globally connected ecosystem where cybersecurity failures can compromise proprietary designs, disrupt synchronized supply chains, and violate stringent OEM security mandates."
Automotive Manufacturing Cyber Security Challenges
Quality, Efficiency and Supply Chain Synchronization are critical imperatives for automotive manufacturing.
Automotive manufacturing represents one of the most automated and connected industrial environments. Assembly lines utilize hundreds of industrial robots, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), vision inspection systems, and torque control tools - all coordinated by sophisticated manufacturing execution systems (MES) to maintain takt time and quality standards.
The industry faces unique cybersecurity pressures: OEM-mandated security requirements (TISAX assessments), just-in-time supply chain dependencies requiring real-time data exchange, protection of proprietary vehicle designs and manufacturing processes, and the integration of connected vehicle data systems with production networks.
With automotive supply chains being primary targets for intellectual property theft and ransomware attacks, tier suppliers must demonstrate robust OT cybersecurity to maintain OEM relationships and avoid production disruptions that cascade across global manufacturing networks.
Automotive Threat Environment
Industry-Specific Threats
- Intellectual property theft targeting vehicle designs, manufacturing processes, and supplier tooling data
- Ransomware attacks halting assembly lines with cascading impacts across multi-tier supply chains
- Supply chain attacks compromising tier suppliers to reach OEM production networks
- Industrial espionage from competitors seeking proprietary manufacturing techniques
- Quality system manipulation affecting traceability and safety-critical component documentation
- Connected vehicle data integration creating attack vectors into production systems
Business Impact
- Assembly line stoppages cost hundreds of thousands per hour with ripple effects across supply tiers
- OEM contract violations and loss of preferred supplier status due to cybersecurity failures
- Intellectual property loss undermining competitive position and R&D investments
- TISAX assessment failures blocking new business with European OEMs
- Quality traceability compromises triggering safety recalls and liability exposure
- Supply chain disruption from tier supplier cyber incidents affecting production schedules
Automotive Manufacturing Systems We Secure
Assembly Automation
Industrial robotics for welding, painting, assembly; AGVs for material handling; and automated tool changers maintaining production flow and takt time.
Quality & Testing
Vision inspection systems, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), torque verification, leak testing, and end-of-line validation ensuring quality standards.
Body Shop Systems
Welding robots, geometric measurement, framing fixtures, and body-in-white (BIW) automation controlling structural integrity and dimensional accuracy.
Paint Shop Controls
Spray booth automation, paint mixing systems, oven controls, and environmental monitoring ensuring finish quality and emissions compliance.
MES/Traceability
Manufacturing execution systems, serialization, genealogy tracking, and quality documentation systems providing complete vehicle traceability.
Supplier Integration
EDI systems, supplier portals, sequencing systems, and just-in-time delivery coordination requiring secure data exchange with tier suppliers.
Automotive Security & TISAX Compliance
OEM-Aligned Security Strategy
For automotive suppliers, OTFIELD provides cybersecurity programs aligned with OEM requirements including TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange) assessments mandated by German automakers and increasingly required across the global automotive supply chain.
We understand automotive operational realities: just-in-time production tolerance for downtime is measured in minutes, quality traceability is non-negotiable, and supplier security failures can result in immediate loss of business. Our approach delivers effective security within these constraints while meeting stringent OEM audit requirements.
TISAX-Aligned Implementation
Phase 1: Gap Assessment & Risk Analysis
Objective: Assess current security posture against TISAX and OEM requirements
- Evaluate controls against VDA ISA (Information Security Assessment) catalog requirements
- Identify protection needs for intellectual property (prototype data, CAD models, tooling designs)
- Assess OT systems supporting assembly, quality, and traceability functions
- Review supplier connections and data exchange security controls
- Evaluate connected vehicle data integration with production systems
- Map current state against TISAX assessment levels (AL1, AL2, AL3)
This assessment identifies gaps requiring remediation before TISAX audits and OEM security reviews.
Phase 2: Automotive Security Program
Objective: Implement controls meeting TISAX, IEC 62443, and OEM-specific requirements
Compliance Framework:
- TISAX / VDA ISA - Automotive industry information security assessment
- IEC 62443 - Industrial automation and control systems security
- ISO/IEC 27001 - Information security management system
- OEM-specific requirements - Security appendices in supplier contracts
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework - Risk-based security approach
Automotive-Specific Controls:
- Intellectual property protection (CAD data, tooling designs, process documentation)
- Production system segmentation isolating assembly, body, paint, and quality zones
- Supplier connection security for EDI, sequencing, and just-in-time coordination
- Quality and traceability system integrity (MES, serialization, genealogy)
- Incident response procedures minimizing production downtime
- Access controls for engineering workstations and programming devices
- Backup and recovery enabling rapid production restoration
- Third-party risk management for suppliers and OEM auditors
- Security awareness for production, quality, and maintenance personnel
TISAX Assessment Support
We provide end-to-end support for TISAX assessments required by automotive OEMs:
Assessment Preparation
- Gap analysis against VDA ISA control objectives
- Evidence collection and documentation preparation
- Control implementation and remediation support
- Pre-assessment readiness validation
- Interview preparation for audit sessions
Ongoing Compliance
- Annual reassessment support and evidence updates
- Continuous monitoring and control validation
- Change management for TISAX-relevant systems
- OEM audit response and corrective actions
- Multi-site TISAX coordination
Automotive Manufacturing Success Factors
Automotive manufacturers must address these critical considerations:
- Can we achieve TISAX certification without disrupting just-in-time production?
- How do we protect intellectual property in highly connected manufacturing environments?
- Are we meeting OEM security requirements in supplier contracts?
- Can we secure supplier connections while maintaining production synchronization?
- How do we prevent quality system compromises affecting traceability?
- Do we have rapid recovery capabilities to minimize assembly line downtime?
Success requires balancing rigorous security with operational efficiency in time-sensitive automotive manufacturing.
Standards & Requirements Landscape
- TISAX / VDA ISA - Automotive industry information security assessment (mandatory for German OEM suppliers)
- IEC 62443 - Industrial automation and control systems security for manufacturing
- ISO/IEC 27001 - Information security management system requirements
- OEM Security Requirements - Supplier-specific security appendices and audit protocols
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework - Risk-based approach to critical manufacturing security
Meet TISAX Requirements. Protect Production.
Automotive suppliers cannot afford cybersecurity failures that disrupt production, violate OEM requirements, or compromise intellectual property. Discover how we help manufacturers achieve TISAX compliance while maintaining operational excellence.
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