OEM Software Security Risks: How to Protect Your Business

Post Views: 7

A scenario unfolds in a manufacturing facility where an IT administrator repeatedly provides local administrative credentials to shop floor workers to facilitate software updates.

Industrial environments face unique challenges in cybersecurity

Unlike corporate settings, where standard applications like Microsoft Office dominate, manufacturing and automotive sectors depend on specialized software that demands administrative access. Diagnostic tools in dealership service bays receive frequent updates, while CAD programs designed a decade ago still require elevated rights for operations. Similarly, CNC machine interfaces and production monitoring systems operate under the same constraints, necessitating constant updates and elevated access without viable modern alternatives.

Security frameworks designed for traditional enterprise environments struggle to adapt to these industrial workflows

Forrester’s research highlights the tension between protecting critical equipment from cyber threats and ensuring operational continuity. In corporate settings, privilege management techniques work because user activities are predictable, allowing for the removal of administrative rights with exception handling via support tickets. However, in manufacturing environments, these exceptions represent the standard workflow. Technicians may need administrative access to install firmware updates, run diagnostic tools, or deploy production software at specific times. If the process for granting access is slow or cumbersome, it leads to workarounds that compromise security.

Forrester’s research highlights the tension between protecting critical equipment from cyber threats and ensuring operational continuity.

A viable solution involves moving beyond blanket administrative privileges

Instead, organizations should conduct a thorough assessment of their environment to identify which applications require elevated access, how frequently, and by whom. Many industrial settings find that a small number of OEM applications account for the majority of access requests. By establishing rules for temporary, application-specific elevation, organizations can grant necessary permissions without exposing endpoints to prolonged risks. For example, when a technician needs to update diagnostic software, the system could automatically grant elevated access for that specific task, revoking it once the process completes. This approach maintains operational efficiency while eliminating standing administrative rights.

Compliance requirements further complicate the issue

The FTC Safeguards Rule imposes significant penalties for non-compliance, with fines reaching $100,000 per infraction. Cyber insurance providers are also tightening their criteria, demanding detailed records of access controls. Audits under frameworks like SOC 2 and NIST require visibility into who accessed what, when, and for how long. Organizations can no longer rely on vague policies; they must implement measurable, auditable solutions.

The core lesson from years of IT infrastructure experience is that effective security controls are those that align with user workflows

If a system forces technicians to circumvent security measures, it will fail. OEM software is unlikely to disappear, nor will its administrative requirements. However, the practice of granting permanent administrative rights to address these needs is outdated. Modern solutions enable temporary elevation for specific tasks, automatic revocation upon completion, and clear audit trails. These measures exist today, but the critical question remains: will organizations adopt them before regulatory, insurance, or breach-related pressures force the issue?