Supply Chain Cyber Risk
Vendor Risk Assessment Template
Mitigating Supply Chain Cyber Risk in OT/ICS Environments
In today’s hyper-connected industrial landscape, supply chains have become one of the most exploited attack vectors. Whether you're managing PLCs in a smart factory, DCS in a refinery, or SCADA systems across power grids, your cybersecurity is only as strong as your weakest third-party connection.
According to recent insights from the U.S. CISA and ENISA, 65% of industrial cyber incidents in 2024 involved vulnerabilities introduced via third-party vendors. And with supply chain attacks increasing in complexity, fueled by nation-state threat actors and AI-powered exploits, it's no longer enough to secure only your internal networks. You must proactively assess the cyber hygiene of every vendor with access to your OT/ICS ecosystem.
At Shieldworkz, we specialize in protecting critical infrastructure and industrial systems across manufacturing, oil & gas, and energy sectors. That’s why we've developed a comprehensive Vendor Risk Assessment Template, tailored specifically to the needs of OT/ICS and IoT-integrated industrial operations.
Why This Template Matters in 2025’s Threat Landscape
The Hidden Risks in Your Supply Chain
OT networks were once considered “air-gapped” fortresses, but the integration of remote services, cloud-based monitoring tools, and IoT sensors has opened new attack surfaces. While these technologies drive operational efficiency, they also invite cyber risks from third-party suppliers, such as:
Insecure firmware updates from hardware vendors
Remote access via unmanaged support contractors
Software libraries from external developers with hidden vulnerabilities
Unauthorized data sharing from system integrators or MSPs
These indirect paths have become the preferred routes for attackers, often going undetected until significant damage has occurred.
What’s At Stake
A successful vendor-based attack can lead to:
Production downtime and financial losses (average cost: $4.8M per incident in 2024)
Safety hazards in critical infrastructure
Regulatory violations (including IEC 62443, NIST CSF, and NERC CIP compliance gaps)
Erosion of customer and stakeholder trust
By evaluating vendor risk at the procurement and partnership level, you can mitigate these threats before they reach your industrial control systems.
What’s Inside the Vendor Risk Assessment Template
Our downloadable template isn’t just a checklist, it’s a strategic tool engineered for real-world application. Designed with insights from frontline OT cybersecurity practitioners, the template enables you to:
Assess vendor security postures across hardware, software, and services
Evaluate network access controls, authentication methods, and encryption protocols
Score vendors based on compliance with key frameworks like IEC 62443 and ISO 27001
Create a standardized evaluation process for onboarding or re-assessing suppliers
Document risk mitigation actions and assign accountability for follow-up
This isn’t just paperwork, it’s a foundation for building a resilient, cyber-aware industrial supply chain.
Why Download This Now?
Tailored for OT/ICS Leaders: Unlike IT-focused vendor templates, this one speaks the language of plant managers, CISOs, OT engineers, and risk officers in sectors where uptime, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable.
Improve Regulatory Alignment: Strengthen your internal governance and streamline your audit trail with structured assessments aligned to IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-161r1, and emerging SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) expectations.
Get Ahead of Modern Threats: AI-driven malware, supply chain backdoors, and geopolitical threat actors are evolving fast. This template helps you stay ahead, not just compliant.
Key Takeaways from the Template
Third-Party Access Mapping: Identify and map every external connection to your industrial network, from remote maintenance ports to cloud APIs.
Risk Categorization Model: Prioritize vendors based on risk levels, critical (e.g., firmware providers), moderate (e.g., service vendors), and low-risk (e.g., office suppliers).
Assessment Frameworks Integration: Built-in compatibility with IEC 62443 zones/conduits model and zero-trust principles for ICS networks.
Score-Based Evaluation Metrics: Use objective scoring criteria to approve, monitor, or reject vendor engagements.
Mitigation Planning and Follow-Up Logs: A dedicated section to track remediation steps, timelines, and responsible personnel.
Who Should Download This Template?
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
OT Security Architects and Engineers
Procurement and Vendor Management Teams
Risk and Compliance Officers
Plant Managers and OT Operations Heads
If you’re responsible for ensuring the cyber resilience of an industrial operation, this template is a must-have strategic asset.
Protect Your Operations from Vendor-Based Breaches
Don’t wait for the next supply chain cyberattack to expose your vulnerabilities. Be proactive. Strengthen your OT/ICS defenses with a structured vendor risk assessment strategy, starting today.
Download the Shieldworkz Vendor Risk Assessment Template now. Empower your team with a proven tool to identify, evaluate, and manage cyber risk in your industrial supply chain.
Ready to Strengthen Your Cyber Defense?
Complete the form below to instantly access the Vendor Risk Assessment Template and take the first step toward a more secure, resilient industrial ecosystem.
Download your copy today!
Mitigating Supply Chain Cyber Risk in OT/ICS Environments
In today’s hyper-connected industrial landscape, supply chains have become one of the most exploited attack vectors. Whether you're managing PLCs in a smart factory, DCS in a refinery, or SCADA systems across power grids, your cybersecurity is only as strong as your weakest third-party connection.
According to recent insights from the U.S. CISA and ENISA, 65% of industrial cyber incidents in 2024 involved vulnerabilities introduced via third-party vendors. And with supply chain attacks increasing in complexity, fueled by nation-state threat actors and AI-powered exploits, it's no longer enough to secure only your internal networks. You must proactively assess the cyber hygiene of every vendor with access to your OT/ICS ecosystem.
At Shieldworkz, we specialize in protecting critical infrastructure and industrial systems across manufacturing, oil & gas, and energy sectors. That’s why we've developed a comprehensive Vendor Risk Assessment Template, tailored specifically to the needs of OT/ICS and IoT-integrated industrial operations.
Why This Template Matters in 2025’s Threat Landscape
The Hidden Risks in Your Supply Chain
OT networks were once considered “air-gapped” fortresses, but the integration of remote services, cloud-based monitoring tools, and IoT sensors has opened new attack surfaces. While these technologies drive operational efficiency, they also invite cyber risks from third-party suppliers, such as:
Insecure firmware updates from hardware vendors
Remote access via unmanaged support contractors
Software libraries from external developers with hidden vulnerabilities
Unauthorized data sharing from system integrators or MSPs
These indirect paths have become the preferred routes for attackers, often going undetected until significant damage has occurred.
What’s At Stake
A successful vendor-based attack can lead to:
Production downtime and financial losses (average cost: $4.8M per incident in 2024)
Safety hazards in critical infrastructure
Regulatory violations (including IEC 62443, NIST CSF, and NERC CIP compliance gaps)
Erosion of customer and stakeholder trust
By evaluating vendor risk at the procurement and partnership level, you can mitigate these threats before they reach your industrial control systems.
What’s Inside the Vendor Risk Assessment Template
Our downloadable template isn’t just a checklist, it’s a strategic tool engineered for real-world application. Designed with insights from frontline OT cybersecurity practitioners, the template enables you to:
Assess vendor security postures across hardware, software, and services
Evaluate network access controls, authentication methods, and encryption protocols
Score vendors based on compliance with key frameworks like IEC 62443 and ISO 27001
Create a standardized evaluation process for onboarding or re-assessing suppliers
Document risk mitigation actions and assign accountability for follow-up
This isn’t just paperwork, it’s a foundation for building a resilient, cyber-aware industrial supply chain.
Why Download This Now?
Tailored for OT/ICS Leaders: Unlike IT-focused vendor templates, this one speaks the language of plant managers, CISOs, OT engineers, and risk officers in sectors where uptime, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable.
Improve Regulatory Alignment: Strengthen your internal governance and streamline your audit trail with structured assessments aligned to IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-161r1, and emerging SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) expectations.
Get Ahead of Modern Threats: AI-driven malware, supply chain backdoors, and geopolitical threat actors are evolving fast. This template helps you stay ahead, not just compliant.
Key Takeaways from the Template
Third-Party Access Mapping: Identify and map every external connection to your industrial network, from remote maintenance ports to cloud APIs.
Risk Categorization Model: Prioritize vendors based on risk levels, critical (e.g., firmware providers), moderate (e.g., service vendors), and low-risk (e.g., office suppliers).
Assessment Frameworks Integration: Built-in compatibility with IEC 62443 zones/conduits model and zero-trust principles for ICS networks.
Score-Based Evaluation Metrics: Use objective scoring criteria to approve, monitor, or reject vendor engagements.
Mitigation Planning and Follow-Up Logs: A dedicated section to track remediation steps, timelines, and responsible personnel.
Who Should Download This Template?
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
OT Security Architects and Engineers
Procurement and Vendor Management Teams
Risk and Compliance Officers
Plant Managers and OT Operations Heads
If you’re responsible for ensuring the cyber resilience of an industrial operation, this template is a must-have strategic asset.
Protect Your Operations from Vendor-Based Breaches
Don’t wait for the next supply chain cyberattack to expose your vulnerabilities. Be proactive. Strengthen your OT/ICS defenses with a structured vendor risk assessment strategy, starting today.
Download the Shieldworkz Vendor Risk Assessment Template now. Empower your team with a proven tool to identify, evaluate, and manage cyber risk in your industrial supply chain.
Ready to Strengthen Your Cyber Defense?
Complete the form below to instantly access the Vendor Risk Assessment Template and take the first step toward a more secure, resilient industrial ecosystem.
Download your copy today!
Mitigating Supply Chain Cyber Risk in OT/ICS Environments
In today’s hyper-connected industrial landscape, supply chains have become one of the most exploited attack vectors. Whether you're managing PLCs in a smart factory, DCS in a refinery, or SCADA systems across power grids, your cybersecurity is only as strong as your weakest third-party connection.
According to recent insights from the U.S. CISA and ENISA, 65% of industrial cyber incidents in 2024 involved vulnerabilities introduced via third-party vendors. And with supply chain attacks increasing in complexity, fueled by nation-state threat actors and AI-powered exploits, it's no longer enough to secure only your internal networks. You must proactively assess the cyber hygiene of every vendor with access to your OT/ICS ecosystem.
At Shieldworkz, we specialize in protecting critical infrastructure and industrial systems across manufacturing, oil & gas, and energy sectors. That’s why we've developed a comprehensive Vendor Risk Assessment Template, tailored specifically to the needs of OT/ICS and IoT-integrated industrial operations.
Why This Template Matters in 2025’s Threat Landscape
The Hidden Risks in Your Supply Chain
OT networks were once considered “air-gapped” fortresses, but the integration of remote services, cloud-based monitoring tools, and IoT sensors has opened new attack surfaces. While these technologies drive operational efficiency, they also invite cyber risks from third-party suppliers, such as:
Insecure firmware updates from hardware vendors
Remote access via unmanaged support contractors
Software libraries from external developers with hidden vulnerabilities
Unauthorized data sharing from system integrators or MSPs
These indirect paths have become the preferred routes for attackers, often going undetected until significant damage has occurred.
What’s At Stake
A successful vendor-based attack can lead to:
Production downtime and financial losses (average cost: $4.8M per incident in 2024)
Safety hazards in critical infrastructure
Regulatory violations (including IEC 62443, NIST CSF, and NERC CIP compliance gaps)
Erosion of customer and stakeholder trust
By evaluating vendor risk at the procurement and partnership level, you can mitigate these threats before they reach your industrial control systems.
What’s Inside the Vendor Risk Assessment Template
Our downloadable template isn’t just a checklist, it’s a strategic tool engineered for real-world application. Designed with insights from frontline OT cybersecurity practitioners, the template enables you to:
Assess vendor security postures across hardware, software, and services
Evaluate network access controls, authentication methods, and encryption protocols
Score vendors based on compliance with key frameworks like IEC 62443 and ISO 27001
Create a standardized evaluation process for onboarding or re-assessing suppliers
Document risk mitigation actions and assign accountability for follow-up
This isn’t just paperwork, it’s a foundation for building a resilient, cyber-aware industrial supply chain.
Why Download This Now?
Tailored for OT/ICS Leaders: Unlike IT-focused vendor templates, this one speaks the language of plant managers, CISOs, OT engineers, and risk officers in sectors where uptime, safety, and compliance are non-negotiable.
Improve Regulatory Alignment: Strengthen your internal governance and streamline your audit trail with structured assessments aligned to IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-161r1, and emerging SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) expectations.
Get Ahead of Modern Threats: AI-driven malware, supply chain backdoors, and geopolitical threat actors are evolving fast. This template helps you stay ahead, not just compliant.
Key Takeaways from the Template
Third-Party Access Mapping: Identify and map every external connection to your industrial network, from remote maintenance ports to cloud APIs.
Risk Categorization Model: Prioritize vendors based on risk levels, critical (e.g., firmware providers), moderate (e.g., service vendors), and low-risk (e.g., office suppliers).
Assessment Frameworks Integration: Built-in compatibility with IEC 62443 zones/conduits model and zero-trust principles for ICS networks.
Score-Based Evaluation Metrics: Use objective scoring criteria to approve, monitor, or reject vendor engagements.
Mitigation Planning and Follow-Up Logs: A dedicated section to track remediation steps, timelines, and responsible personnel.
Who Should Download This Template?
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
OT Security Architects and Engineers
Procurement and Vendor Management Teams
Risk and Compliance Officers
Plant Managers and OT Operations Heads
If you’re responsible for ensuring the cyber resilience of an industrial operation, this template is a must-have strategic asset.
Protect Your Operations from Vendor-Based Breaches
Don’t wait for the next supply chain cyberattack to expose your vulnerabilities. Be proactive. Strengthen your OT/ICS defenses with a structured vendor risk assessment strategy, starting today.
Download the Shieldworkz Vendor Risk Assessment Template now. Empower your team with a proven tool to identify, evaluate, and manage cyber risk in your industrial supply chain.
Ready to Strengthen Your Cyber Defense?
Complete the form below to instantly access the Vendor Risk Assessment Template and take the first step toward a more secure, resilient industrial ecosystem.