ISO/SAE 21434 vs. Other Cybersecurity Standards:
What’s the Difference?

Ensuring the cybersecurity of modern vehicles is a crucial priority. With the increasing use of advanced systems and technologies, the threat landscape has evolved significantly, leading to the development of standards such as ISO/SAE 21434. But how does it differ from other cybersecurity standards such as ISO 27001 or TISAX®? In this article, we will explain the main features and applications of these standards and highlight why ISO/SAE 21434 is essential for the automotive industry.

ISO/SAE 21434, published in 2021, is a standard that establishes requirements for cybersecurity risk management throughout the lifecycle of vehicles. This standard is specifically designed for the automotive industry and addresses crucial issues such as the protection of electronic systems, software and data in vehicles. It also ensures that safety measures are properly integrated at every stage of vehicle development, from design to market operation.
This standard emerged in response to the increase in cyber threats in the automotive sector, as modern vehicles are becoming increasingly intelligent and connected, making them potential targets for attacks.

ISO 27001 is a globally recognized standard for information security management. Although it shares some principles with ISO/SAE 21434, its approach is more general and covers all industries, not just automotive.
The main difference between the two standards lies in their application. While ISO/SAE 21434 is specifically designed to address cyber risks related to vehicles and their electronic systems, ISO 27001 focuses on managing information security in all areas of an organization, regardless of the industry in which it operates. Therefore, ISO 27001 offers a more general approach, while ISO/SAE 21434 is more specific to the needs of the automotive industry.
In addition, ISO/SAE 21434 includes requirements related to the full lifecycle of vehicles, ensuring that cyber risks are managed from design to operation. This is something that is not as deeply covered by ISO 27001, which focuses more on protecting data within an organization.

TISAX®, is another standard that is gaining popularity in the automotive industry. Although it also focuses on information security, its primary focus is on protecting sensitive information flowing between manufacturers and suppliers in the supply chain. It is particularly useful for assessing the security of data exchanges between the various parties involved in vehicle development and manufacturing.
For its part, ISO/SAE 21434 focuses more on the cyber security of the vehicles themselves, protecting electronic systems and ensuring that vehicles are invulnerable to potential cyber attacks during their lifecycle. Although the two standards are complementary, ISO/SAE 21434 is more specific to technical threats within connected vehicles and their electronic components.

While multiple cybersecurity standards exist, ISO/SAE 21434 is unique in its focus on connected vehicles and the protection of their electronic systems. While ISO 27001 provides a general framework for information security management and TISAX® focuses on protecting data throughout the supply chain, ISO/SAE 21434 is crucial to the automotive industry because of its ability to address the specific risks faced by modern vehicles.
If your company is considering adopting a cybersecurity standard, it is essential to understand how ISO/SAE 21434 can complement other standards to strengthen vehicle security and keep drivers protected from cyber threats.