The reliance on third-party suppliers, contractors, and vendors has introduced a complex web of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the manufacturing industry. The traditional approach of assessing third-party risk solely during onboarding is no longer sufficient. Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) has emerged as a proactive strategy to identify, assess, and mitigate these risks in real-time.

The Expanding Attack Surface in Manufacturing

Manufacturers are increasingly vulnerable due to:

• Third-Party Access: Nearly half (42%) of organizations acknowledge that third-party remote access is becoming the most common attack surface.
  
  
• Supply Chain Complexity: The intricate network of suppliers and contractors amplifies the potential for cyber threats.
  
  
• Regulatory Pressures: Compliance with evolving cybersecurity regulations adds another layer of complexity to managing third-party risks.

A recent WTW 2025 Global Supply Chain Risk Survey highlights the escalating challenges in managing supply chain risks, particularly concerning cybersecurity and third-party contracts. The survey reveals that the increasing complexity of global supply chains, driven by digitalization and evolving threats like cyberattacks and supplier contract failures, is challenging insurers' ability to accurately model and price coverage. This underscores the necessity for manufacturing companies to adopt proactive risk management strategies, such as Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), to continuously assess and mitigate third-party risks beyond initial onboarding processes.

CTEM: A Proactive Approach to Cybersecurity

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) is a structured, ongoing approach to identifying, validating, prioritizing, and remediating security exposures across assets, attack paths, and business risks before attackers exploit them. 

Key Components of CTEM:

1. Scoping: Defining the boundaries of the assessment, including third-party environments.
   
   
2. Discovery: Identifying assets and potential vulnerabilities within the defined scope.
   
   
3. Prioritization: Assessing which vulnerabilities pose the greatest risk based on exploitability and potential impact.
   
   
4. Validation: Testing the identified vulnerabilities to confirm their existence and potential for exploitation.
   
   
5. Mobilization: Implementing remediation strategies and continuously monitoring for new threats.

Implementing CTEM in Manufacturing

To effectively integrate CTEM:

• Asset Visibility: Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all assets, including those managed by third parties.
  
  
• Continuous Monitoring: Implement tools that provide real-time insights into the security posture of both internal systems and third-party connections.
  
  
• Risk-Based Prioritization: Focus on vulnerabilities that pose the highest risk to critical operations.
  
  
• Collaborative Remediation: Work closely with third-party vendors to address identified vulnerabilities promptly.

Benefits of CTEM for Manufacturers

• Enhanced Security Posture: Proactively identifying and mitigating risks reduces the likelihood of successful cyberattacks.
  
  
• Regulatory Compliance: Continuous monitoring ensures adherence to evolving cybersecurity regulations.
  
  
• Operational Resilience: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyber incidents maintains production continuity.
  
  
• Improved Vendor Relationships: Collaborative risk management fosters trust and accountability with third-party partners.
  
  

Conclusion: Embracing Continuous Risk Management

The manufacturing sector is undergoing a digital transformation, but with innovation comes increased exposure. Supply chains, once viewed as mere operational necessities, are now frontline battlegrounds in the fight against cyber threats. The reliance on third parties—whether for materials, maintenance, or technology—creates new and often overlooked vulnerabilities that can bring entire operations to a halt.

In this high-stakes environment, waiting for annual assessments or reacting after a breach is no longer an option. Manufacturers must evolve beyond legacy risk management practices and adopt a posture of continuous vigilance. CTEM isn’t just a technical enhancement—it’s a strategic imperative. It enables manufacturers to move from passive defense to active resilience by:

• Continuously identifying exposures across their extended digital ecosystem.
  
  
• Prioritizing threats based on business-critical impact.
  
  
• Collaborating with third-party partners to remediate risks before they manifest as incidents.

By embedding CTEM into their operational DNA, manufacturers can transform third-party risk from a liability into a source of competitive advantage. In doing so, they ensure not only the security of their shop floors but also the trust of their customers, the integrity of their products, and the long-term sustainability of their operations.

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