July 07, 2025
If you're in automotive manufacturing, you've probably seen them—long supplier cybersecurity questionnaires from OEMs. Some are five pages. Some are fifty. But they all boil down to one question: Can we trust you?
Too often, these forms get treated like busywork. Someone in finance or engineering fills in a few blanks and sends them off. But today's OEMs aren't just asking—they're checking. And if your answers don't align with your practices, it could cost you.
According to the Auto-ISAC, 63% of supply chain breaches in 2023 originated from third-party vendors lacking basic security protocols.
One tooling firm took a different approach. With help from their IT partner, they built a shared response library that mapped real cybersecurity practices to each questionnaire section. They reduced form turnaround by 50% and earned preferred supplier status with two OEMs.
"Preparedness isn't paperwork—it's protection." - Ann Dunkin, CIO, U.S. Department of Energy
Meanwhile, a drivetrain component supplier submitted a sloppy, half-complete response to a Tier 1's questionnaire. It triggered a review—and a six-month contract freeze. They eventually streamlined their processes, but the revenue never recovered.
"Speed and accuracy in security communication is not a bonus—it's the baseline." - Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft
These questionnaires are your chance to stand out—not blend in. They're not just compliance checks—they're trust indicators.
If your largest customer asked for your security questionnaire today, would your team be confident—or scrambling?
Interested in a conversation or want to learn more about Affiliated's IT Services for Manufacturers in Ohio ? Call us or email michaelmoran@aresgrp.com.
