Key Definitions

• Cybersecurity: The condition of being protected from unauthorized digital access or attacks that affect confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authenticity.
• TARA (Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment): A formal process to identify potential cyber threats, assess risks, and define mitigation strategies.
• CSMS (Cybersecurity Management System): A structured system used to manage and govern cybersecurity activities across the organization and its products.
• Assets: Components or systems (ECUs, CAN buses) that need protection from cyber threats.
• Vulnerabilities: Weaknesses in a system that could be exploited by a threat actor.

If you are looking for compliance support for ISO/SAE 21434, contact us at support@pacificcert.com! 

Clause-wise Structure of ISO 21434

Implementation Requirements

To comply with ISO/SAE 21434, organizations should:

• Establish an organizational-level Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) aligned with UN R155
• Define cybersecurity roles and responsibilities in each project
• Integrate TARA processes from the concept phase to identify and mitigate threats early
• Implement security controls across system, hardware, and software architectures
• Maintain traceability between cybersecurity goals, requirements, and test results
• Establish incident response processes and software update policies
• Collaborate with suppliers on cybersecurity requirements and interface definitions
• Keep systems updated through vulnerability monitoring and security patching

Documentation Required

• Cybersecurity policy and CSMS structure
• Project-specific cybersecurity plans
• TARA reports and threat models
• System architecture with asset mapping
• Cybersecurity requirements traceability matrix
• Test cases, validation records, and review results
• Supplier communication and coordination logs
• Monitoring and incident response plans
• Decommissioning procedures and risk controls

Benefits of ISO 21434 Implementation

• Improved vehicle safety by managing cybersecurity risks in safety-critical functions
• Regulatory compliance with UN R155/R156 and national approval schemes
• Lifecycle protection of vehicle systems from design through retirement
• Supplier alignment with consistent security expectations across the supply chain
• Early risk detection via structured TARA and design phase security integration
• Customer trust and brand protection through resilience against cyberattacks
• Supports Over-the-Air (OTA) update management securely and reliably
• Foundation for secure-by-design and future mobility technologies (e.g., V2X, autonomous driving)

Certification and Compliance

• Organizations receive conformance assessments to demonstrate alignment
• Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) certification, as required by UN R155, must be aligned with ISO/SAE 21434 principles
• OEMs increasingly require suppliers to demonstrate compliance through audits, security documentation, and testing

If you are preparing for UN R155 CSMS approval or supplier evaluations, contact us at support@pacificcert.com.