Vehicle Cybersecurity (ISO/SAE 21434) Certification

ISO/SAE 21434 defines requirements for cybersecurity engineering in road vehicles. Where ISO 26262 addresses functional safety (failure-driven risks), 21434 addresses risks arising from deliberate attack. It covers the entire life cycle from the concept phase to decommissioning and places threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA) at its centre.

• Vehicle manufacturers and system integrators
• Developers of ECUs, telematics and connectivity modules
• Automotive software suppliers
• Firms offering over-the-air (OTA) software updates
• Manufacturers obtaining type approval under UNECE R155

Voluntary as a standard, but its outcome is effectively mandatory: the UNECE R155 regulation requires a Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) for vehicle type approval, and ISO/SAE 21434 is the standard referenced to meet this requirement. For suppliers, the obligation comes from OEM contracts.

• Organisational cybersecurity management: policy, roles, culture, competence
• Project-dependent cybersecurity management and the cybersecurity plan
• Distributed cybersecurity activities: sharing of responsibility between customer and supplier
• Continuous cybersecurity activities: vulnerability monitoring, incident management and response
• Concept phase: item definition, cybersecurity goals
• Threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA): asset identification, threat scenarios, impact rating, attack-path analysis, feasibility and risk determination
• Product development: the cybersecurity specification, integration and verification
• Cybersecurity verification and validation; penetration testing
• Production, operations and maintenance: update management
• End of support and decommissioning

1. 1ApplicationThe organisation's field of activity, headcount, number of sites and scope boundaries are determined. The number of audit days is calculated from this information.
2. 2Document Review (Stage 1)The management system documentation, scope definition, risk assessment and internal-audit/management-review records are examined; readiness for the on-site audit is assessed.
3. 3Certification Audit (Stage 2)It is verified on site that the system is implemented and effective. Findings are classified as major/minor nonconformity or observation.
4. 4Closing NonconformitiesThe organisation submits a root-cause analysis and corrective action plan. The certificate is not issued until major nonconformities are closed.
5. 5Issuing the CertificateThe certificate is issued after review by an independent decision-maker. The audit team cannot make the certification decision.
6. 6Surveillance AuditsA surveillance audit is carried out at least once a year during the certificate's validity. The first surveillance cannot exceed 12 months from the last day of Stage 2.
7. 7RecertificationAt the end of three years, the entire system is re-audited; it must be completed before the certificate expires.

Management system certificates are valid for three years. At least one surveillance audit is carried out per year during this period; the certificate is suspended if surveillance is not carried out. A recertification audit is completed at the end of the third year.

• Trade registry record and operating licence
• The organisation's organisation chart and headcount
• The list of sites/branches within scope
• The management system manual or process documentation
• Internal audit and management review records
• Legal permits, licences and operating documents, if any

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The headcount within scope (directly determines the number of audit days)
• The number of sites and branches; whether multi-site sampling applies
• The activity's risk level and process complexity
• The number of standards to be certified — an integrated audit reduces the number of days
• The three-year cycle: certification + two surveillance audits

Management system certification is carried out within the scope of ISO/IEC 17021-1. The certification body is accredited by an accreditation body party to the IAF multilateral recognition agreement (IAF MLA); This agreement establishes a chain of international recognition that ensures that a document issued in one country is accepted in other countries. EUROLAB has internationally recognized accreditation from IAF member accreditation bodies within the scope of ISO/IEC 17021-1.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• ISO 26262Functional Safety
• TISAXAutomotive Information Security Assessment
• IATF 16949Automotive Quality Management
• VDA 6.1Automotive Quality Management System Audit
• VDA 6.3Process Audit
• VDA 6.5Product Audit
• UNECEVehicle Type Approval
• E-MarkVehicle Homologation