Case Study: Basildon Automotive Manufacturer Achieves First-Time Ford TPRM Pass
A Basildon-based automotive manufacturer, part of the wider Essex supply chain supporting Ford and other major OEMs, approached Sunrise Technologies with a critical challenge:
they had 30 days to complete a detailed Ford Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) audit.
Unlike a standard Cyber Essentials assessment, this audit demanded comprehensive policies, documented controls, and robust evidence.
For many manufacturers in Basildon, South Essex, and along the A127 corridor, these requirements are becoming increasingly common as supply-chain scrutiny tightens.
The Challenge
The client already followed strong IT practices, but, like many growing and fast-moving manufacturers, the processes weren’t formally documented.
They needed:
Clear, compliant policies
Evidence of governance and security controls
A full, audit-ready package within 30 days
This scenario is typical across Essex manufacturing: production is the priority, documentation often lags behind, and customer audits create intense time pressure.
Our Approach
Sunrise delivered a structured, accelerated compliance project using our SAY IT – DO IT – PROVE IT methodology.
SAY IT – Policies & Documentation
We mapped each Ford TPRM requirement to industry standards and carried out a rapid gap analysis.
Within days, we produced or updated:
Password & authentication standards
Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plans
Supplier & supply-chain risk management procedures
Acceptable use, access control, and patching policies
All documentation was formalised, approved, and rolled out to staff.
DO IT – Aligning Controls
Because the client uses our full Support, Security & Strategy service, most technical controls were already in place.
We validated and aligned:
System hardening
Patching cadence and evidence
Access control and account reviews
Endpoint configuration and security settings
This ensured the manufacturer’s operational technology (OT) and IT estate matched audit expectations.
PROVE IT – Evidence for Auditors
We built a complete audit-ready evidence pack, including:
Vulnerability scan results
Penetration testing outputs
Backup test logs
Firewall and security configurations
System snapshots
Policy acknowledgement records
This eliminated follow-up queries and created a smooth audit experience.
The Results
The Basildon manufacturer achieved a first-time pass on their Ford TPRM audit.
Key outcomes:
Comprehensive policy framework
Strengthened governance
Enhanced staff awareness
Centralised and validated audit evidence
A smoother compliance journey with minimal disruption to production schedules
The entire project was completed within five days of Sunrise time plus internal effort from the client, demonstrating how focused partnership accelerates compliance.
Why This Matters for Essex Manufacturing
Across Basildon, Thurrock, Southend, and the wider Essex industrial belt, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are increasing supply-chain security requirements.
Manufacturers are now expected to demonstrate:
Cyber maturity
Documented policies
Reliable processes
Strong evidence of good IT governance
Whether supplying Ford in Dunton, aerospace in Southend, or precision engineering firms across the county, compliance has become a competitive differentiator.
Sunrise Technologies supports Essex manufacturers with structured, repeatable compliance frameworks that reduce pressure, strengthen security, and help win (and retain) major contracts.
Conclusion
Compliance isn’t about perfection, it’s about clarity, responsibility, and evidence.
By documenting processes, aligning controls, and assembling a robust evidence pack, our client passed their audit on the first attempt.
If your manufacturing business in Basildon or across Essex is facing customer questionnaires, supplier audits, or cyber maturity assessments, Sunrise Technologies can guide you every step of the way.