An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a company that produces components, products, or systems used as parts in another company’s final product. In many industries, particularly technology and electronics, OEMs are a vital and foundational part of larger supply chains. 

Why are OEMs Important? 

OEMs design and manufacture products or components that other companies integrate into their own branded offerings. For example, a computer manufacturer might use processors, memory modules, and storage devices produced by various OEMs. 

Many final products, although typically marketed under a well-known brand name, depend heavily on the components that OEMs supply. This layered relationship means that a vulnerability in an OEM-supplied component can jeopardize the integrity of an entire product.  

From a security perspective, reliance on multiple OEMs often means that companies must trust that each supplier has implemented robust security measures in both the design and manufacturing phases. Any failure in this trust-based model creates potential weak links in cybersecurity defenses. 

Supply Chain Risks and Vulnerabilities 

OEMs present a cybersecurity risk. They are vulnerable to attacks that could have compound effects on the rest of the supply chain. In fact, many malicious actors specifically target OEMs to compromise components that will later be integrated into a brand’s final product. For example, if an attacker successfully embeds malicious code in a firmware update from an OEM, every device that relies on that firmware could be exposed to the threat.  

Risks also arise from the complex web of subcontractors and component suppliers that an OEM might employ. Each additional layer in the supply chain increases the risk of a breach, and any vulnerability introduced at any stage of the manufacturing process can have cascading effects throughout the supply chain. This means that if an OEM has a vulnerability, so does every other organization in its supply chain, all the way through to end users.  

Integrating Cybersecurity into the OEM Process 

Mitigating these risks relies on OEMs incorporating cybersecurity best practices from the very beginning of the design phase. Examples of secure design principles include:  

• implementing code reviews. 

• performing rigorous testing. 

• establishing protocols for prompt patch management. 

However, secure design is not a one-time exercise; it’s a continuous commitment to maintaining the integrity of products as new threats emerge.  

Moreover, OEMs play a significant role in vulnerability disclosure and response. Well-coordinated systems mean that when OEMs discover a vulnerability, they can quickly and effectively inform all stakeholders, including but not limited to end-product manufacturers and consumers. 

The Future of OEMs 

As technology continues to evolve, OEMs will become an increasingly important part of the cybersecurity landscape. The increasing complexity of products – from smart appliances to interconnected industrial systems – gives rise to increasingly large attack surfaces. OEMs must, therefore, invest in advanced cybersecurity measures and staff.  

Collaboration between OEMs will also become more important. By sharing threat intelligenceWhat is Threat Intelligence?Also known as cyber threat intelligence or simply threat intel, threat intelligence is the body of evidence-based knowledge that can be used to inform organizations of threat… More and best practices, OEMs and their partners can collectively enhance the security of the entire ecosystem. Such cooperation not only helps in identifying vulnerabilities more quickly but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement in cybersecurity measures. 

For more essential cybersecurity definitions, check out our glossary here.