A safety module for a secured drive control of an automated drive system is configured to receive encoder data sent from an encoder unit to a drive unit, based on an encoder protocol via a protocol active unit. The safety module is configured to forward the encoder data from the protocol active unit to a safety logic and a protocol passive unit, check the forwarded encoder data with the aid of the safety logic for correspondence with predetermined safety criteria relating to operation of a motor unit, and transmit the forwarded encoder data via the protocol passive unit to the drive unit, in respective data packets based on the encoder protocol. The safety module can stop operation of the motor unit with the aid of the safety logic, if the encoder data does not correspond to the predetermined safety criteria. A corresponding drive system and automation system are also provided.