Manufacturers across Europe face regulatory fines, supply chain disruptions, and lost contracts if they fail to comply with the NIS2 directive. Yet most are unprepared, stuck in fragmented processes or spreadsheets that won’t survive regulatory audits.
If your manufacturing business relies on critical suppliers, subcontractors, or digital service providers, you are in scope.
And NIS2 isn’t optional.
Let’s break down what manufacturers need to do, the real risks of inaction, and how to turn NIS2 compliance into a competitive advantage with Supplier Shield.
The NIS2 directive expands the EU’s cybersecurity obligations for critical and highly important sectors—and manufacturing is a top target.
If you produce:
You are likely classified as an essential or important entity under NIS2.
Read how to manage third-party risks to protect against data breaches
Manufacturers must meet six legal obligations under NIS2:
Appoint a NIS2 compliance lead and prove that leadership actively manages cybersecurity and supply chain risks.
Explore key compliance considerations for TPRM
Implement documented, repeatable processes to assess and manage operational and third-party risks.
Evaluate the cyber resilience of all critical suppliers, including vendors and service providers.
Detect cyber incidents and report them within 24 hours to national authorities.
Develop and test incident response and recovery plans.
Maintain documented evidence of all risk management activities for regulatory inspections.
Your cybersecurity risk doesn’t stop at your company’s edge.
NIS2 extends your responsibility across your entire supply chain.
This includes:
A Tier 2 supplier gets hit with ransomware, halting production of a critical part you rely on.
If you didn’t assess their risk or can’t prove your due diligence, you share the liability under NIS2.
Learn how to monitor and manage third-party performance to stay compliant
Manufacturers face three recurring challenges:
Risk information is often scattered across spreadsheets, emails, or siloed systems—making it impossible to see the full picture.
Procurement teams lack the technical knowledge to evaluate cyber risk, relying too heavily on IT or external consultants.
Proving compliance during audits becomes a manual, time-consuming scramble without centralized documentation.
Use this practical checklist to close your gaps:
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See how to secure onboarding and contracting with TPRM best practices
A mid-sized automotive parts manufacturer in Germany and Poland was struggling to manage over 150 suppliers across multiple countries.
By implementing Supplier Shield’s centralized risk management platform, the company:
Source: Supplier Shield internal data
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Deepen your understanding of third-party risk management
Book a demo today to see how Supplier Shield helps manufacturers turn compliance into a business advantage.
NIS2 is the EU’s cybersecurity directive requiring manufacturers to manage supply chain and cyber risks, report incidents, and prove compliance with documented evidence.
Governance, risk management, supply chain security, incident reporting, business continuity, and audit readiness.
Because manufacturers are liable for third-party failures that could impact their operations or customers.
By mapping suppliers, assessing risks, documenting activities, and using tools like Supplier Shield.
A step-by-step guide to appointing leads, assessing risks, documenting processes, and preparing for audits.
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