Minsait, INA Partner to Boost Cybersecurity in Auto Parts Sector

Minsait, a consultancy firm within the Indra Group, has formed a strategic alliance with Mexico’s National Auto Parts Industry Association (INA) to enhance cybersecurity awareness, enhance industry resilience, and support the sector’s digital transformation. This collaboration aims to assess the current state of cybersecurity in the industry and promote compliance with international security standards.

The auto parts industry in Mexico, comprising over 700 manufacturing plants affiliated with INA,  is increasingly integrating digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving systems. While these advancements optimize production and connectivity, they also increase exposure to cyber threats that could disrupt manufacturing operations, compromise vehicle safety, and expose sensitive user data.

The first initiative under the Minsait-INA alliance is a cybersecurity diagnostic across INA-affiliated auto parts plants. This assessment will evaluate the sector’s maturity in information security, resilience to cyberattacks, and adherence to global cybersecurity frameworks.

The evaluation will be based on three key standards:

• TISAX (Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange): Developed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), this standard ensures information protection across the automotive value chain.

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework: This US-developed framework evaluates organizations’ ability to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents.

• ISO/IEC 27001 Certification: A globally recognized standard for information security management.

Each participating company will receive a personalized report outlining its strengths, vulnerabilities, and recommendations compared to global benchmarks.

“The goal is to help companies understand their cybersecurity maturity level and drive the adoption of advanced security technologies across the value chain,” said Julio Galván, Economic Studies Manager, INA.

“Our shared objective is to raise awareness of cybersecurity’s importance and promote best practices to protect the automotive sector. Minsait works closely with both public and private organizations to stay ahead of cyber threats,” explained Erik Moreno, Cybersecurity Director, Minsait Mexico.

Since 2017, TISAX has been a key security benchmark for automotive manufacturers and suppliers. However, its implementation in Mexico faces challenges due to the diverse and extensive supply chain, which includes many SMEs lacking strong cybersecurity frameworks. 

“Protecting connected vehicles, securing vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and minimizing vulnerabilities are our top priorities,” Moreno added.

In 2020, Indra acquired SIA, a cybersecurity company, to integrate products and services such as identity and access management, electronic signatures, comprehensive risk management, security infrastructure, threat and vulnerability management, and data protection. The decision was driven by SIA’s proprietary products, scalable capabilities, and a strong presence in Europe.

In 2024, Minsait Payments completed the acquisition of Totalnet, Uruguay’s largest electronic payment processor, further expanding its presence in Latin America.