Frequently Asked Questions
ISO 21434:2021 Overview
What is ISO 21434:2021?
ISO/SAE 21434:2021 is the international standard for cybersecurity risk management in road vehicles, covering the entire vehicle lifecycle from concept to decommissioning. It provides structured requirements and processes for addressing cyber risks in road vehicles and is essential for compliance with UN Regulation No. 155 (UNECE R155).
Why is ISO 21434 important for MSPs and MSSPs?
ISO 21434 enables MSPs and MSSPs to deliver scalable, high-value cybersecurity services to automotive clients facing complex regulatory and technical requirements. By aligning with the standard, providers can support OEMs and suppliers with risk assessments, vulnerability management, and compliance reporting, opening opportunities in a specialized, fast-growing market.
Which organizations does ISO 21434:2021 apply to?
ISO 21434 applies to all organizations involved in the design, development, production, and maintenance of road vehicles and their components. This includes automotive OEMs, mobility and telematics providers, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, vehicle cybersecurity engineering teams, embedded software and hardware vendors, and MSPs/MSSPs supporting automotive cybersecurity.
Is ISO 21434 compliance mandatory?
While ISO 21434 itself is voluntary, compliance is required in practice to meet UNECE R155, which mandates cybersecurity management systems for vehicle type approvals. OEMs and suppliers must demonstrate adherence to ISO 21434 processes to satisfy regulatory requirements.
What are the core components of ISO 21434:2021?
The standard outlines cybersecurity engineering requirements across the vehicle lifecycle, including: cybersecurity management, project-dependent cybersecurity, risk assessment methods (TARA), concept and design phase requirements, product development and validation, and operations, incident response, and post-production processes.
What is TARA in ISO 21434?
Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA) is a foundational method in ISO 21434 used to identify, evaluate, and mitigate cybersecurity threats in vehicle systems. It helps organizations systematically address risks throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
Who enforces ISO 21434 requirements?
Compliance is enforced indirectly by automotive OEMs and regulators, such as UNECE, through mandatory cybersecurity management systems and supplier documentation requirements. Organizations must demonstrate adherence to ISO 21434 to meet regulatory and client expectations.
How does Cynomi help MSPs and MSSPs comply with ISO 21434?
Cynomi guides service providers step by step through managing cybersecurity and compliance. The platform automates ISO 21434-based assessments, generates AI-powered cyber profiles and gap analyses, auto-generates risk registers and remediation plans, aligns tasks to ISO 21434 controls, adapts to framework changes, and tracks real-time progress in a unified dashboard.
What are the steps to achieving ISO 21434 compliance with Cynomi?
With Cynomi, the process includes: 1) Assess & Identify – conduct automated ISO 21434-based assessments and generate cyber profiles; 2) Establish and Plan – auto-generate risk registers, remediation plans, and policies mapped to ISO 21434; 3) Optimize and Track Progress – monitor real-time progress, maintain audit-ready documentation, and report on compliance status.
How does Cynomi support TARA analysis for automotive clients?
Cynomi automates the generation of TARA-aligned reports and documentation, enabling MSPs and MSSPs to deliver structured, repeatable risk assessments for automotive clients. The platform streamlines threat analysis and risk mitigation processes in line with ISO 21434 requirements.
What documentation does Cynomi provide for ISO 21434 compliance?
Cynomi auto-generates risk registers, remediation plans, policies, and audit-ready documentation mapped to ISO 21434 controls. This ensures organizations have the necessary evidence and reports to demonstrate compliance during audits and regulatory reviews.
Can Cynomi help with compliance for other automotive cybersecurity frameworks?
Yes, Cynomi supports compliance readiness across 30+ frameworks, including ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, GDPR, SOC 2, and HIPAA, in addition to ISO 21434. This allows MSPs and MSSPs to deliver tailored assessments for diverse client needs in the automotive sector and beyond.
What types of automotive clients benefit from Cynomi's ISO 21434 capabilities?
Automotive OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, mobility and telematics providers, vehicle cybersecurity engineering teams, and embedded software/hardware vendors all benefit from Cynomi’s ISO 21434-aligned services. MSPs and MSSPs can use Cynomi to support these clients with structured, automated cybersecurity and compliance processes.
How does Cynomi help MSPs and MSSPs stand out in the automotive cybersecurity market?
Cynomi enables providers to deliver repeatable, ISO 21434-aligned services, automate assessments, and generate audit-ready documentation. This positions MSPs and MSSPs as trusted partners for automotive clients navigating complex regulatory environments and helps them differentiate in a specialized, underserved market.
Does Cynomi provide audit-ready reporting for ISO 21434?
Yes, Cynomi maintains audit-ready documentation and reporting for all ISO 21434 functions. Providers can track real-time progress, generate branded reports, and ensure compliance evidence is available for regulatory reviews and client audits.
How does Cynomi adapt to changes in ISO 21434 controls?
Cynomi automatically adapts to framework and control changes, ensuring that risk registers, remediation plans, and policies remain aligned with the latest ISO 21434 requirements. This helps providers maintain ongoing compliance and respond quickly to regulatory updates.
Can Cynomi help with UNECE R155 compliance?
Yes, Cynomi supports clients with UNECE R155 vehicle cybersecurity compliance and lifecycle security planning. The platform’s ISO 21434-aligned processes help organizations meet the mandatory requirements for vehicle type approvals under UNECE regulations.
What are the benefits of using Cynomi for ISO 21434 compliance?
Cynomi automates up to 80% of manual processes, streamlines risk assessments, generates audit-ready documentation, and enables providers to scale services without increasing resources. This results in faster service delivery, reduced operational overhead, and improved compliance outcomes for automotive clients.
Does Cynomi support integrations with scanners and cloud platforms for automotive cybersecurity?
Yes, Cynomi supports integrations with scanners such as NESSUS, Qualys, Cavelo, OpenVAS, and Microsoft Secure Score, as well as native integrations with AWS, Azure, and GCP. These integrations help users understand attack surfaces and streamline cybersecurity processes for automotive clients.
Does Cynomi offer API-level access for custom workflows?
Yes, Cynomi offers API-level access, allowing for extended functionality and custom integrations to suit specific workflows and requirements. For more details about the API and its documentation, contact Cynomi directly or refer to their support team.
What technical documentation is available for ISO 21434 and related compliance?
Cynomi provides access to compliance checklists, risk assessment templates, incident response plan templates, and continuous compliance guides for frameworks like ISO 21434, NIST, and CMMC. These resources help organizations understand requirements and streamline compliance efforts. See Continuous Compliance Guide and NIST Compliance Checklist for examples.
How does Cynomi compare to competitors for ISO 21434 compliance?
Cynomi is purpose-built for MSPs, MSSPs, and vCISOs, offering AI-driven automation, embedded CISO-level expertise, and support for 30+ frameworks. Competitors like Apptega, ControlMap, Vanta, Secureframe, and Drata often require more manual setup, user expertise, or focus on in-house teams. Cynomi’s automation, multitenant management, and client-friendly reporting differentiate it in the market.
What pain points does Cynomi solve for automotive cybersecurity providers?
Cynomi addresses time and budget constraints, manual processes, scalability issues, compliance and reporting complexities, lack of engagement tools, knowledge gaps, and challenges maintaining consistency. By automating up to 80% of manual tasks and standardizing workflows, Cynomi enables providers to deliver high-quality, consistent services efficiently.
What customer feedback has Cynomi received regarding ease of use?
Customers consistently praise Cynomi for its intuitive and well-organized interface. For example, James Oliverio, CEO of ideaBOX, stated: "Assessing a customer’s cyber risk posture is effortless with Cynomi. The platform’s intuitive Canvas and ‘paint-by-numbers’ process make it easy to uncover vulnerabilities and build a clear, actionable plan." Steve Bowman from Model Technology Solutions noted ramp-up time for new team members was reduced from four or five months to just one month. (Source: Cynomi Solutions)
What measurable business outcomes have customers achieved with Cynomi?
Customers report significant improvements, such as increased revenue, reduced operational costs, and enhanced compliance. For example, CompassMSP closed deals 5x faster using Cynomi, and ECI achieved a 30% increase in GRC service margins while cutting assessment times by 50%. (Source: Arctiq Case Study)
What industries are represented in Cynomi's case studies?
Cynomi’s case studies span the legal industry, cybersecurity service providers, technology consulting, managed service providers (MSPs), and the defense sector. Examples include CyberSherpas, CA2 Security, Secure Cyber Defense, Arctiq, and CompassMSP. (Source: Testimonials)
What is Cynomi's overarching vision and mission?
Cynomi’s mission is to transform the vCISO space by enabling service providers to deliver scalable, consistent, and high-impact cybersecurity services without increasing headcount. The company empowers MSPs, MSSPs, and vCISOs to become trusted advisors, fostering strong client relationships and addressing modern security challenges. (Source: Risk Management Framework)
How does Cynomi's security-first design benefit automotive clients?
Cynomi prioritizes security over mere compliance, linking assessment results directly to risk reduction. This ensures robust protection against threats and helps automotive clients address both regulatory and technical cybersecurity requirements.
How does Cynomi enable scalability for MSPs and MSSPs?
Cynomi allows service providers to scale their vCISO services without increasing resources by automating up to 80% of manual processes and standardizing workflows. This ensures sustainable growth and efficiency for MSPs and MSSPs serving automotive and other sectors.
What are Cynomi's key product performance highlights?
Cynomi automates up to 80% of manual processes, enables faster service delivery, allows scalable vCISO services, and features an intuitive interface. Customers report measurable outcomes such as increased revenue, reduced costs, and enhanced compliance. Security-first design ensures robust protection against threats. (Source: Cynomi Features_august2025_v2.docx)
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When was this page last updated?
This page wast last updated on 12/12/2025 .
