The New Rules of Manufacturing Cybersecurity: What to Know in 2025

You know how to build, ship, and deliver. But in 2025, the question is—can you prove you're secure?

Between federal initiatives to bolster domestic manufacturing and DoD efforts to reduce foreign reliance in supply chains, U.S. manufacturers are back in the spotlight. There’s pride in that. But there’s also a pile of cybersecurity acronyms getting pushed down from primes, federal agencies, and customers—NIST 800-171. CMMC 2.0. OT. SCADA.

You didn’t get into manufacturing to become a cybersecurity compliance expert. But now your next contract, insurance renewal, or system upgrade might depend on it.

This guide breaks down what manufacturers need to know about compliance in 2025—and what to do next if you’re not sure where you stand.

The Compliance Landscape: What’s Required in 2025

Some of what’s coming is mandatory. Some of it’s just smart. All of it matters if you want to stay competitive, compliant, and secure.

CMMC 2.0 & NIST 800-171 (DoD Contractors & Suppliers)

If you’re in the defense supply chain—or want to stay in it—CMMC 2.0 is no longer a wait-and-see. The final rule is in effect. Contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) will need to show they’ve implemented all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls and, in most cases, undergo a third-party assessment every three years.

Self-attesting isn’t going to cut it anymore. The DoJ’s already fined companies for saying they were compliant when they weren’t.

DFARS & Incident Reporting

Have a current DoD contract? Then DFARS 252.204-7012 applies. This clause mandates protection of Covered Defense Information (CDI) through NIST SP 800-171—and requires reporting any incident involving CDI to the DoD within 72 hours via the DIBNet portal.

Miss the window, and you could lose your eligibility for future contracts.

State IoT & Consumer Data Security Laws

States like California and Oregon now require manufacturers of connected devices to include basic security—no more default passwords, for instance. If your equipment connects to the internet or stores personal data, you're likely on the hook for compliance.

And, even if your manufacturing operation isn’t based in these states, if your connected products are sold into California or Oregon—or if you're part of a supply chain that reaches those markets—these laws can apply to your products.

CIRCIA & ICS/SCADA Events

If your operation is part of U.S. critical infrastructure, the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) will soon require you to report qualifying incidents within 72 hours (and ransomware payments within 24). That includes ransomware locking your OT systems, SCADA disruptions, and events that could pose safety risks.

Tip:
Not sure what CIRCIA

Download the CISA CIRCIA Fact Sheet (PDF) for a plain-language summary of the 72-hour and 24-hour reporting rules—including who’s covered, what counts as a reportable incident, and what to expect next.

Not Sure Where You Stand? Start With This

Here’s a gut-check to help gauge your cybersecurity readiness in 2025. Each item you leave unchecked is a gap worth closing—before a client, auditor, or attacker finds it for you.

☐ We’ve documented where sensitive data lives (CUI, IP, HR records, etc.)
☐ We’ve segmented our IT and OT networks—or have a plan in motion
☐ We use multi-factor authentication, especially for remote and admin access
☐ We can restore from backup without paying ransom
☐ We’ve tested our incident response plan within the last 12 months
☐ We know which CMMC or NIST 800-171 level applies to us—and what’s left to do
☐ We actively log and monitor access to ICS/SCADA systems
☐ We understand which state or federal reporting rules apply to us
☐ We’ve completed a third-party cybersecurity assessment in the past year

If more than one box is blank, let’s fix that.

Book a cybersecurity assessment with Decypher

Voluntary Frameworks That Now Feel Mandatory

Even if the law doesn’t require them, your customers, insurers, or board probably do.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

Now in version 2.0, the CSF helps benchmark maturity across five core areas: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Some states even offer legal or regulatory incentives for aligning with it.

NIST SP 800-82 (OT-Specific)

Written for operational technology environments, this guide offers real-world security tactics for the machines on your factory floor—from ransomware protections to safe remote access.

ISA/IEC 62443

The gold standard for ICS/SCADA security. Covers everything from OT architecture to supplier risk management. If you’re selling into industrial or energy sectors, expect this to come up.

Why OT Security Matters to Compliance

When IT gets hit, it’s a breach. When OT gets hit, it’s downtime, damage—or danger.

CISA has flagged ICS/SCADA environments as high-risk areas in U.S. critical infrastructure. Compliance frameworks are catching up fast.

Your OT systems should have:

Segmentation from your business IT network
Vendor access controls and logging
Monitored system access
Backup and recovery strategies built for control systems

If your operations depend on industrial automation, these systems must be part of your cybersecurity program—not an afterthought.

What Industrial Network Segmentation Really Means

Segmentation is often overlooked—but it’s one of the most effective controls you can implement.

It means isolating the plant floor from the front office. Creating zones within OT. Blocking business systems from writing directly to PLCs. And yes, keeping your network diagrams up to date.

Think of it like watertight doors on a ship. A breach shouldn’t sink the whole operation.

Segmentation isn’t just smart—it’s required in NIST 800-82, ISA/IEC 62443, and CISA’s Cross-Sector Performance Goals.

And when something goes wrong, segmentation often determines whether you have a minor hiccup… or a full-blown shutdown.

The Bottom Line

You’re being asked to do a lot: deliver on time, stay competitive, manage labor challenges—and now prove your cybersecurity posture.

You don’t have to do it alone.

Decypher helps manufacturers:

Identify which rules and frameworks apply
Build risk-based roadmaps to compliance
Secure OT environments without slowing production
Prepare for CMMC, NIST, or insurance audits
Respond to incidents with a clear, tested plan

We’ve worked with DoD suppliers, high-stakes manufacturers, and industrial teams that don’t have time to slow down. We know the difference between what looks good on paper—and what actually protects you.

Ready for an assessment? Let’s talk.