How Should Manufacturers Prepare for a Cybersecurity Assessment? (2026 Guide)

The Short Answer

Manufacturers should prepare for a cybersecurity assessment by identifying their critical business and production systems, documenting technology assets, reviewing existing security controls, verifying backups, evaluating remote vendor access, and gathering the policies and records needed to support the review.

For a manufacturer with approximately 25–50 computer users, preparation may take two to six weeks, depending on the number of facilities, production systems, vendors, cloud applications, and existing documentation.

The goal is not to make the environment appear perfect before the assessment. The goal is to give the assessor an accurate picture of:

• What technology the company uses
• Which systems are critical
• What cybersecurity protections are in place
• Where known weaknesses exist
• How incidents would be detected and handled
• Whether essential systems can be recovered
• What should be improved first

A useful cybersecurity assessment should result in a prioritized roadmap covering immediate risks, near-term improvements, planned projects, responsible parties, and realistic budget ranges.

At TR Technologies, we have been serving Chicagoland manufacturers since 2001, helping companies prepare for cybersecurity assessments without unnecessarily disrupting production.

Why Manufacturers Are Being Asked to Complete Cybersecurity Assessments

Manufacturing companies increasingly receive cybersecurity questions from:

• Customers
• Cyber insurance carriers
• Insurance brokers
• Banks
• Government agencies
• Prime contractors
• Auditors
• Business partners
• Prospective buyers
• Private equity firms
• Legal counsel
• Supply chain partners

These requests may take the form of:

• Cyber insurance applications
• Customer security questionnaires
• Vendor risk reviews
• NIST-aligned assessments
• CMMC readiness reviews
• Penetration tests
• Vulnerability assessments
• IT security audits
• Business continuity reviews
• Merger-and-acquisition due diligence

Manufacturers often depend on interconnected systems for production scheduling, ERP access, shipping, inventory, accounting, customer communication, engineering, and remote machine support. A cybersecurity incident affecting one of these systems can create operational consequences beyond the loss of data.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 is designed to help organizations of any size or industry understand, assess, prioritize, and communicate cybersecurity risk. It defines desired cybersecurity outcomes without requiring every organization to use the same products or technical methods.

NIST also provides a Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 Quick-Start Guide specifically for small and medium-sized organizations with modest or developing cybersecurity programs.

Preparation helps a manufacturer complete an assessment more efficiently and reduces the likelihood that important systems, vendors, or risks will be overlooked.

The READY Framework for Cybersecurity Assessment Preparation

TR Technologies recommends using the READY Framework to organize assessment preparation.

R — Review Critical Business and Production Systems

E — Evaluate Existing Security Controls

A — Assemble Documentation and Asset Information

D — Demonstrate Backup and Recovery Readiness

Y — Yield a Prioritized Improvement Roadmap

R — Review Critical Business and Production Systems

The first step is determining which systems matter most to the business.

Not every workstation, application, or device creates the same level of operational risk.

A cybersecurity assessment should identify the systems required for:

• Production scheduling
• ERP access
• Inventory management
• Work orders
• Quality documentation
• Engineering
• CNC programming
• Shipping and receiving
• Customer communication
• Accounting
• Payroll
• Microsoft 365
• File storage
• Employee authentication
• Internet connectivity
• Remote access
• Vendor support
• Backup and recovery

Classify Systems by Business Impact

A practical preparation process can divide systems into three categories.

Critical Systems

A failure or compromise could immediately stop production, shipping, customer service, or essential business operations.

Examples may include:

• ERP
• Production scheduling
• Authentication services
• Core network infrastructure
• Internet connectivity
• Critical file servers
• Shipping systems
• Machine-control support systems

Important Systems

A failure would significantly reduce productivity but might not stop production immediately.

Examples may include:

• Department file shares
• Accounting systems
• Collaboration platforms
• Remote-access tools
• Quality-management applications
• Secondary business applications

Standard Systems

A failure would affect a limited number of users or a noncritical process.

This classification helps the assessor connect technical findings with business consequences.

For example, an unsupported computer in a conference room does not create the same operational concern as an unsupported computer required to program or monitor a production machine.

Identify System Dependencies

Manufacturers should also document how systems depend on one another.

An ERP system may require:

• A local or cloud server
• Database services
• Identity services
• Internet connectivity
• Network switches
• File storage
• Vendor support
• Backup systems
• User workstations

A shipping system may depend on:

• Internet service
• Carrier websites
• Label printers
• ERP data
• Network connectivity
• User authentication

Understanding these dependencies helps determine which systems must be protected and restored first.

Questions to Answer Before the Assessment

• Which systems could stop production if unavailable?
• Which applications are required for shipping?
• Which systems store sensitive customer or employee data?
• Which machines connect to the business network?
• Which systems are managed by outside vendors?
• Which applications require Internet access?
• Which systems are unsupported?
• What manual workarounds exist?
• How long can each system be unavailable?

Related Reading: IT vs. OT: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter for Manufacturers?

E — Evaluate Existing Security Controls

The next step is to review the safeguards already in place.

The purpose is not to correct every weakness before the assessment. It is to understand the current environment and gather evidence showing which protections are operating.

Identity and Access Controls

Review:

• Multi-factor authentication
• Password policies
• Administrative accounts
• Shared accounts
• Local administrator rights
• Former employee accounts
• Vendor accounts
• Account lockout policies
• Conditional-access rules
• User onboarding
• User offboarding

Important questions include:

• Is MFA enabled for Microsoft 365?
• Is MFA required for remote access?
• Do administrators use separate privileged accounts?
• Are shared administrator credentials still used?
• Are former employees removed promptly?
• Are dormant accounts reviewed?

Endpoint Security

Review protections on:

• Desktop computers
• Laptops
• Servers
• Remote workstations
• Production-related computers
• Vendor-installed computers

Gather information about:

• Endpoint detection and response
• Antivirus
• Patch management
• Disk encryption
• Device monitoring
• Security alerts
• Unsupported operating systems
• Local administrator access
• USB device controls

Email and Microsoft 365 Security

Review:

• MFA
• Email filtering
• Anti-phishing controls
• External sender warnings
• Safe-link or attachment protections
• Administrative roles
• Mail-forwarding rules
• Audit logging
• Data retention
• Microsoft 365 backup
• Security alerting

Network Security

Review:

• Firewall age
• Firewall support status
• Security subscriptions
• Network segmentation
• Wireless security
• Guest wireless
• VPN configuration
• Remote-access rules
• Internet-exposed services
• Network monitoring
• Switch and firewall documentation

Employee Security Awareness

Gather records related to:

• Cybersecurity awareness training
• Phishing simulations
• New employee training
• Policy acknowledgments
• Remedial training
• Reporting procedures

Incident Response

Determine whether the company has a written plan covering:

• Internal escalation
• Technical containment
• Leadership notification
• Cyber insurance notification
• Legal support
• Customer communication
• Evidence preservation
• Vendor coordination
• Recovery procedures

Common Manufacturing Security Gaps

Assessment preparation frequently uncovers:

• Missing MFA
• Shared administrator accounts
• Unsupported Windows systems
• Unmanaged production computers
• Weak remote-access controls
• Flat networks
• Inconsistent endpoint protection
• Missing Microsoft 365 backups
• Old firewall hardware
• Excessive user permissions
• Incomplete logging
• Limited employee training
• Dormant vendor accounts
• Unpatched software

Documenting these issues before the assessment allows the assessor to spend less time discovering basic facts and more time evaluating risk and priorities.

Related Reading: What Does Cyber Insurance Require for Manufacturing Companies in 2026?

A — Assemble Documentation and Asset Information

Documentation is one of the most important parts of assessment preparation.

A company may have effective cybersecurity tools but still struggle during an assessment because it cannot show:

• What systems exist
• Who owns them
• Which controls are enabled
• When systems were last reviewed
• Which vendors have access
• Whether backups were tested
• Who is responsible for security decisions

Technology Asset Inventory

Prepare an inventory of:

• Servers
• Desktop computers
• Laptops
• Firewalls
• Network switches
• Wireless access points
• Backup appliances
• Storage systems
• Printers
• VoIP equipment
• Mobile devices
• Production-related computers
• Vendor-managed devices
• Cloud applications
• Remote-access tools
• Internet connections
• Uninterruptible power supplies

For each asset, document:

• Manufacturer
• Model
• Serial number
• Physical location
• Assigned user
• Business purpose
• Operating system
• Warranty status
• Support status
• Age
• Replacement target
• Responsible vendor

Software and Cloud Application Inventory

Include:

• Microsoft 365
• ERP
• Accounting software
• CAD and engineering applications
• Production scheduling
• Quality-management systems
• Backup platforms
• Remote-support tools
• Security software
• Cloud storage
• File-sharing services
• Payroll systems
• Customer portals
• Shipping platforms

For each application, identify:

• Business owner
• Technical owner
• Vendor
• Renewal date
• User count
• Authentication method
• MFA status
• Data stored
• Backup responsibility
• Support contact

User and Account Information

Prepare:

• Current employee list
• Current user-account list
• Administrator-account list
• Vendor-account list
• Service-account list
• Former employee review
• MFA enrollment status
• Privilege assignments
• Shared-account inventory

Network Documentation

Gather:

• Network diagram
• Internet provider information
• Firewall model and configuration summary
• VPN configuration
• Wireless network list
• IP address ranges
• Office and production network information
• Remote vendor connection paths
• Secondary Internet information
• Network equipment inventory

Policies and Procedures

Prepare available documentation such as:

• Acceptable-use policy
• Password policy
• Access-control policy
• Incident response plan
• Disaster recovery plan
• Backup policy
• Remote-access policy
• Vendor-access policy
• Employee onboarding procedure
• Employee offboarding procedure
• Data-retention policy
• Cybersecurity awareness policy

Do not create inaccurate documents solely to satisfy an assessor.

When a required policy does not exist, identify it as a gap and include its development in the improvement roadmap.

Vendor and Contract Information

Create a list of:

• IT provider
• ERP provider
• Machine vendors
• Automation integrators
• Cloud providers
• Internet providers
• Backup provider
• Cybersecurity provider
• Software vendors
• Cyber insurance contacts
• Legal and breach-response contacts

Document which vendors:

• Store company information
• Connect remotely
• Manage critical systems
• Use subcontractors
• Control administrative credentials
• Provide emergency support

Evidence That May Be Requested

An assessor may request:

• MFA reports
• Endpoint-security reports
• Patch reports
• Vulnerability reports
• Backup reports
• Recovery test results
• Firewall configuration summaries
• Security-training records
• Phishing-test results
• User access reviews
• Incident logs
• Cyber insurance applications
• Vendor security agreements

NIST CSF Organizational Profiles can be used to describe current and target cybersecurity outcomes and prioritize improvements based on business objectives, stakeholder expectations, threats, and requirements.

Related Reading: What Should Be Included in a Manufacturing IT Assessment?

D — Demonstrate Backup and Recovery Readiness

Backups should be verified rather than assumed.

An assessment may determine that backup jobs are running successfully while discovering that:

• Important systems are excluded
• Recovery has never been tested
• Microsoft 365 is not independently protected
• Backup credentials are not separated
• Backup copies can be altered or deleted
• Retention is too short
• Recovery priorities are undocumented
• Production-related configurations are missing

Identify What Is Backed Up

Review backup coverage for:

• Servers
• ERP databases
• File storage
• Accounting data
• Microsoft 365
• SharePoint
• OneDrive
• Email
• Critical workstations
• Production application data
• CNC programs
• Engineering files
• Firewall configurations
• Network switch configurations
• Cloud applications

Review Backup Architecture

Document:

• Backup frequency
• Retention period
• Local copies
• Off-site copies
• Cloud copies
• Encryption
• Immutability
• Access permissions
• Monitoring
• Failure alerts
• Administrative accounts
• Recovery procedures

Define Recovery Objectives

Recovery Time Objective

The Recovery Time Objective, or RTO, defines how quickly a system should be restored after an interruption.

For example:

• ERP: four hours
• File server: eight hours
• Accounting: 24 hours
• Secondary application: two business days

Recovery Point Objective

The Recovery Point Objective, or RPO, defines how much recent data the business can afford to lose.

For example:

• ERP database: one hour
• File data: four hours
• Archived records: 24 hours

These numbers should reflect business requirements rather than assumptions made only by the IT department.

Test Recovery

Where appropriate, verify recovery through:

• File restores
• Microsoft 365 restores
• Virtual server recovery
• ERP database recovery
• Bare-metal recovery
• Configuration recovery
• Alternate-system recovery

Document:

• Date of test
• System tested
• Person responsible
• Time required
• Problems encountered
• Corrective actions
• Next scheduled test

Establish Recovery Priorities

A typical manufacturing recovery sequence may include:

1. Network and authentication services
2. Internet and secure communications
3. ERP and production scheduling
4. Critical file storage
5. Shipping and receiving
6. Accounting
7. Secondary applications

The sequence should reflect the manufacturer’s actual operational needs.

Related Reading: Does Your Manufacturing Company Have a Disaster Recovery Plan?

Y — Yield a Prioritized Improvement Roadmap

A cybersecurity assessment should not end with an unranked list of weaknesses.

Leadership needs to understand:

• What requires immediate attention
• Which improvements can be completed quickly
• Which projects require planning
• What can reasonably wait
• How much each initiative may cost
• Who is responsible
• What business outcome is expected

Priority 1: Immediate Risks

Address within approximately 0–30 days.

Examples include:

• Missing MFA on administrator accounts
• Exposed remote-access services
• Failed backups
• Active malware
• Unsupported firewall systems
• Shared privileged accounts
• Former employee accounts
• Security tools disabled on critical systems
• Publicly accessible systems with weak authentication

Priority 2: Near-Term Improvements

Address within approximately 30–90 days.

Examples include:

• Standardize endpoint protection
• Correct major patching gaps
• Secure remote vendor access
• Remove unnecessary administrator rights
• Improve email protection
• Update incident-response procedures
• Complete asset documentation
• Review dormant accounts
• Verify backup recovery

Priority 3: Planned Projects

Schedule within approximately 3–12 months.

Examples include:

• Network segmentation
• Firewall replacement
• Backup modernization
• Microsoft 365 security improvements
• Security-monitoring improvements
• Vulnerability-management program
• Internet redundancy
• Wireless redesign

Priority 4: Strategic Initiatives

Plan within approximately 12–36 months.

Examples include:

• IT and OT cybersecurity program
• Legacy production-system modernization
• ERP modernization
• Multi-site standardization
• Privileged-access management
• Formal compliance initiatives
• Long-term identity modernization
• Manufacturing security governance

What Every Recommendation Should Include

Each recommendation should identify:

• Finding
• Business risk
• Affected systems
• Recommended action
• Priority
• Responsible party
• Target timeline
• Estimated budget range
• Operational dependencies
• Expected business benefit
• Method for verifying completion

The roadmap should align security improvements with operational realities and available resources.

A small manufacturer does not need to complete every possible cybersecurity initiative at once. NIST’s framework is designed to support prioritization based on an organization’s mission, risk, requirements, and available resources rather than prescribe one universal implementation method.

Related Reading: How Should Manufacturing Companies Budget for IT?

What Information Will a Cybersecurity Assessor Request?

The exact request will depend on the assessment’s scope.

A practical information checklist may include:

Business Information

• Number of employees
• Number of computer users
• Number of locations
• Key business processes
• Major customers
• Regulatory obligations
• Contractual requirements
• Cyber insurance information
• Critical suppliers

Technology Information

• Asset inventory
• Software inventory
• Network diagram
• Cloud application list
• Microsoft 365 information
• Firewall information
• Internet connections
• Backup architecture
• Remote-access tools
• Production-system connections

Security-Control Information

• MFA status
• Endpoint-security coverage
• Email-security configuration
• Patch-management process
• Vulnerability reports
• Administrative account list
• Security awareness records
• Logging and monitoring
• Incident-response procedures
• Recovery-test records

Vendor Information

• Vendor list
• Remote-access methods
• Systems supported
• Contracts
• Support contacts
• Administrative access
• Data access
• Breach-notification requirements

Policy Information

• Security policies
• Acceptable-use policy
• Incident-response plan
• Disaster recovery plan
• Vendor-access policy
• Backup policy
• Employee onboarding and offboarding procedures

Missing information does not automatically mean the assessment will fail.

It indicates where documentation or governance should be improved.

How Long Does a Manufacturing Cybersecurity Assessment Take?

The timeline depends on:

• Number of users
• Number of facilities
• Number of servers
• Cloud services
• Production systems
• Network complexity
• Vendor connections
• Existing documentation
• Assessment depth
• Compliance requirements
• Testing scope

Small Single-Site Manufacturer

A manufacturer with approximately 15–25 users, limited servers, and relatively complete documentation may complete discovery and review within several business days.

Mid-Sized Single-Site Manufacturer

A manufacturer with approximately 25–75 users, several servers, cloud applications, production connectivity, and multiple vendors may require one to several weeks.

Multi-Site Manufacturer

A manufacturer with multiple locations, complex ERP infrastructure, many vendors, and production dependencies may require several weeks or longer.

Preparation Activities

Preparation may include:

1. Leadership interviews
2. Asset collection
3. Account review
4. Network discovery
5. Security-control review
6. Backup verification
7. Vendor-access review
8. Production dependency review
9. Policy collection
10. Findings validation

The most important factor is not speed. It is whether the scope includes the systems and dependencies that could materially affect operations.

What Types of Cybersecurity Assessments Are Available?

The term “cybersecurity assessment” can refer to several different services.

Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

Evaluates threats, vulnerabilities, controls, business impact, and priorities.

NIST CSF Assessment

Compares current cybersecurity practices with desired outcomes organized around the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

NIST CSF 2.0 organizes cybersecurity outcomes around six functions:

• Govern
• Identify
• Protect
• Detect
• Respond
• Recover

Vulnerability Assessment

Uses technical tools and review processes to identify weaknesses such as:

• Missing patches
• Unsupported software
• Exposed services
• Weak configurations
• Known vulnerabilities

Penetration Test

Uses authorized testing to determine whether selected vulnerabilities can be exploited.

A penetration test is not a substitute for a complete cybersecurity program review.

Cyber Insurance Readiness Review

Evaluates whether the company can accurately answer insurance questions and provide evidence of controls such as:

• MFA
• Endpoint protection
• Backups
• Incident response
• Security training
• Remote-access controls

CMMC or NIST SP 800-171 Readiness Review

Evaluates requirements relevant to organizations handling specified Department of Defense information or contract obligations.

IT and OT Security Assessment

Evaluates business technology and production-related systems, including connectivity, segmentation, vendor access, ownership, and operational dependencies.

NIST released an initial public draft of a Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 Manufacturing Profile intended to support manufacturing environments and provide a voluntary, risk-based roadmap. At the time of writing, the document is still identified as a draft, so manufacturers should verify its current status before treating it as final guidance.

Common Cybersecurity Assessment Findings in Manufacturing

Missing Multi-Factor Authentication

MFA may be enabled for Microsoft 365 but missing from:

• VPN access
• Administrative accounts
• Vendor portals
• Backup systems
• Remote-support tools

Shared Administrative Accounts

Shared accounts make it difficult to determine who performed an action.

Unsupported Operating Systems

Legacy production applications may require old operating systems that no longer receive standard security updates.

These systems should be:

• Documented
• Segmented
• Restricted
• Monitored
• Included in replacement planning

Weak Remote Vendor Access

Common issues include:

• Shared vendor credentials
• Permanent access
• No MFA
• Limited logging
• Unrestricted VPN access
• Former vendor accounts
• Unapproved remote-access tools

Flat Networks

Office systems, servers, guest devices, and production equipment may share the same network or have limited separation.

Incomplete Endpoint Protection

Some workstations or servers may lack:

• EDR
• Monitoring
• Patching
• Encryption
• Security policy enforcement

Untested Backups

Backup jobs may appear successful even though critical applications have not been restored.

Missing Microsoft 365 Backup

Native retention features may not meet the company’s independent backup and recovery requirements.

Excessive User Permissions

Employees may have local administrator access or access to files beyond their job responsibilities.

Dormant Accounts

Former employees, vendors, or unused service accounts may remain active.

Incomplete Documentation

The company may lack:

• A network diagram
• Asset inventory
• Incident-response plan
• Recovery priorities
• Vendor-access list
• Equipment lifecycle plan

Common Assessment Preparation Mistakes

Trying to Hide Known Weaknesses

An assessment is most useful when leadership and the assessor receive accurate information.

Known weaknesses should be documented and prioritized.

Fixing Systems Without Change Control

Rushed changes can create production problems.

Changes involving production technology should be coordinated with:

• Operations
• Engineering
• Machine vendors
• Application providers
• Authorized integrators

Limiting the Review to Office Computers

Manufacturing assessments should consider:

• Production dependencies
• Remote vendor access
• Machine connectivity
• IT and OT boundaries
• Internet reliability
• Business continuity

Assuming Backups Work

Successful job notifications do not prove that systems can be restored.

Gathering Policies Without Operational Evidence

A written policy has limited value when actual practices do not match it.

Treating Every Finding as an Emergency

Risk should be prioritized according to:

• Business impact
• Likelihood
• Operational exposure
• Customer requirements
• Cost
• Complexity

Confusing a Framework With Certification

Using NIST CSF does not automatically make an organization “NIST certified.”

The framework helps organize cybersecurity risk-management outcomes and priorities.

Questions to Ask a Cybersecurity Assessment Provider

Before selecting an assessment provider, ask:

• Do you have experience with manufacturers?
• Will you review business and production dependencies?
• Will you evaluate Microsoft 365?
• Will you review remote vendor access?
• Will you assess backups and recovery?
• Will you examine office and production network separation?
• Will the review align with NIST CSF 2.0?
• Will you identify unsupported systems?
• Will you interview leadership and operations?
• Will production be interrupted?
• Will findings include business impact?
• Will recommendations include priorities?
• Will you provide budget ranges?
• Will you present the findings to leadership?
• Will you coordinate with machine vendors?
• Who owns the completed documentation?
• Does the assessment require a long-term contract?

Clear answers help determine whether the assessment will provide a practical business roadmap rather than only a technical scan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a manufacturing cybersecurity assessment?

A manufacturing cybersecurity assessment is a structured review of the technology, people, processes, vendors, and security controls that support business and production operations. It identifies risks, evaluates safeguards, and produces prioritized recommendations.

How should a manufacturer prepare for an assessment?

Prepare by identifying critical systems, completing an asset inventory, gathering policies and technical reports, reviewing security controls, documenting vendor access, and verifying backup and recovery capabilities.

How long does preparation take?

Preparation may take two to six weeks for a small or mid-sized manufacturer, depending on documentation, system complexity, production dependencies, and vendor involvement.

Will the assessment interrupt production?

Most discovery and documentation activities can be completed with little or no production disruption. Any testing involving production systems should be scheduled and coordinated with operations and authorized vendors.

Is a cybersecurity assessment required for cyber insurance?

Requirements vary by insurance carrier and policy. Insurers may request information about MFA, endpoint security, backups, remote access, incident response, and employee training.

Does the assessment include Microsoft 365?

A complete assessment should review Microsoft 365 identity, MFA, administrative roles, email security, logging, data protection, and backup responsibilities.

Should the assessment include OT systems?

It should include IT and OT dependencies, network connections, ownership, vendor access, recovery requirements, and cybersecurity exposure. Specialized industrial-control testing may require additional OT expertise.

Is a vulnerability scan the same as a cybersecurity assessment?

No. A vulnerability scan identifies selected technical weaknesses. A cybersecurity assessment also evaluates governance, documentation, people, vendors, recovery, business impact, and strategic priorities.

Does using NIST CSF 2.0 mean the company is compliant?

No. NIST CSF 2.0 is a voluntary cybersecurity risk-management framework. Customer, contractual, insurance, and regulatory requirements should be evaluated separately.

What happens after the assessment?

Leadership should review the findings, approve priorities, assign responsibility, establish budgets, and track progress through a documented cybersecurity roadmap.

Why Manufacturers Choose TR Technologies

Manufacturing cybersecurity assessments require more than scanning office computers.

Manufacturers choose TR Technologies because we provide:

• Serving Chicagoland manufacturers since 2001
• 25 years of manufacturing IT experience
• Manufacturing cybersecurity expertise
• NIST-aligned security planning
• Cyber insurance readiness
• Microsoft 365 security
• Network segmentation experience
• Backup and disaster recovery planning
• Secure remote vendor access
• Machine-vendor coordination
• Strategic vCIO services
• Equipment lifecycle planning
• Average response under 15 minutes
• 99% uptime for managed systems
• A single point of accountability

We help manufacturers understand their current cybersecurity posture, identify operational risks, and turn technical findings into practical business priorities.

Key Takeaways

• Preparation helps a cybersecurity assessment produce more accurate and useful results.
• Manufacturers should identify critical business and production systems before the review.
• Security controls should be documented and supported with evidence.
• Asset, account, vendor, and software inventories are essential.
• Backups should be tested rather than assumed to work.
• Remote vendor access should be inventoried and controlled.
• The assessment should include IT and production dependencies.
• Findings should be organized into immediate, near-term, planned, and strategic priorities.
• Recommendations should include owners, timelines, business impact, and budget ranges.
• Done is better than perfect. Accurate preparation is more valuable than delaying the assessment until every weakness is corrected.

Are You Ready for a Cybersecurity Assessment?

TR Technologies helps Chicagoland manufacturers prepare for cybersecurity assessments by reviewing infrastructure, Microsoft 365, security controls, backups, remote vendor access, documentation, and production dependencies.

Contact TR Technologies today with a discovery call.