Manufacturing Identity Management: The Expert’s Guide

Manufacturing has always been about precision, safety, and efficiency. Today, manufacturers face a new challenge: managing who has access to facilities, machines, and digital systems in an era of cyber-physical risk. Plants need to prevent unauthorized access to operational technology (OT), protect sensitive intellectual property, and maintain safety standards across complex supply chains and multi-site operations.

That's where identity management comes in. Identity and Access Management (IAM) gives manufacturers a way to know who is on the shop floor, which systems they can access, and what permissions contractors, employees, and visitors hold. Done right, IAM reduces risk, streamlines processes, and creates secure, compliant operations.

This guide explains what identity management means in a manufacturing context, why it matters, the challenges leaders face, the technologies best suited for industrial environments, and how Acre helps manufacturers put it into practice.

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What is identity management in manufacturing?

Identity management refers to the processes and technologies that verify people and control what they can access. In manufacturing, this means ensuring employees, contractors, and visitors only gain access to the areas, equipment, and systems they are authorized to use.

• A production worker needs access to specific assembly lines and shift applications.
• A plant engineer requires access to OT systems, SCADA software, and restricted labs.
• A contractor needs temporary clearance to maintain equipment for one day.

Identity management brings this together in one system that authenticates individuals, grants appropriate permissions, and logs activity for accountability.

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Why manufacturers need robust identity management

The importance of IAM in manufacturing continues to grow, due to:

Insider and outsider threats. Plants are high-value targets for sabotage, theft of trade secrets, and ransomware. IAM limits risk by controlling access tightly.

Regulatory compliance. Standards like OSHA, ISO 27001, NIST, and sector-specific frameworks require strict oversight of access and auditability.

Workforce complexity. Manufacturing plants rely on contractors, seasonal staff, and temporary workers, all of whom need different levels of access.

Cyber-physical convergence. As OT systems connect with IT networks, the attack surface expands. IAM provides the gatekeeping layer across both domains.

Multi-site operations. Large manufacturers must coordinate identity management across global plants, warehouses, and supply chain partners.

Key identity management challenges in manufacturing

Manufacturers face a set of identity management challenges that differ from other sectors, driven by the scale, complexity, and safety requirements of industrial operations.

One challenge is securing access across multiple facilities. Plants, warehouses, and R&D centers all need consistent identity policies, yet those policies must also adapt to local requirements. Modern IAM platforms address this by centralising access rules while allowing site-level flexibility.

Another difficulty is integrating legacy OT and control systems with modern identity solutions. Many factories still run on decades-old technology that does not easily connect to IT security platforms. Hybrid IAM models with open APIs and middleware provide a bridge, enabling manufacturers to modernise gradually without losing visibility or control.

Managing contractors and shift workers adds further complexity. High turnover, variable schedules, and reliance on external partners mean identities are constantly being created and retired. Automated provisioning linked directly to HR and contractor management systems ensures accounts are granted or revoked in real time, eliminating manual errors and reducing insider risk.

Finally, manufacturers must balance productivity with strict security. Employees need frictionless access to systems and machinery to keep production running smoothly, yet security controls cannot be relaxed. Adaptive authentication, including mobile credentials, multi-factor authentication, and biometrics strikes this balance by applying stronger checks only when risk factors are present.

Essential IAM technologies for manufacturing environments

Modern manufacturing identity management unites digital and physical access.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Assigns permissions based on roles like operator, supervisor, or contractor, ensuring clarity at scale.

Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC): Context-aware permissions (time, location, device) allow fine-grained control for high-risk environments.

Biometric authentication and smart badges: Fingerprints, facial recognition, and encrypted ID badges enhance physical entry security.

Single Sign-On (SSO): Simplifies secure access to digital apps used on the shop floor, from production planning to quality control.

Visitor and contractor management systems: Track who enters and exits plants, integrate with access control, and ensure audit-ready accountability.

Integration with OT and IoT devices: IAM links access policies to industrial systems, securing both human and machine identities.

Benefits of strong identity management in manufacturing

With IAM implemented effectively, manufacturers achieve:

Improved safety. Only qualified personnel can access dangerous machinery or restricted areas.

Stronger IP and data protection. Designs, formulas, and production data are safeguarded against theft or leaks.

Streamlined onboarding. Contractors and seasonal workers can be granted and removed access automatically.

Regulatory compliance. Audit trails and automated deprovisioning reduce compliance risk and simplify inspections.

Operational efficiency. Centralised identity control reduces admin burden and ensures plants run without interruptions.

Implementing identity management in manufacturing: best practices

If you’redeploying IAM in manufacturing, here’s what you need to do:

1. Conduct an identity audit. Map every system, facility, and machine requiring access. Identify shadow accounts and unmanaged credentials.
2. Unify physical and digital access. Manage plant entry, OT systems, and IT platforms from one IAM platform.
3. Automate provisioning. Link IAM to HR and contractor management to ensure accounts are created and revoked instantly.
4. Add strong verification. Enforce MFA, mobile credentials, and biometrics for staff accessing critical OT or IT systems.
5. Train workforce and contractors. Educate staff on credential safety, phishing, and tailgating. Human error is often the weakest link.
6. Monitor continuously. Use real-time logs and anomaly detection to identify unusual behavior and respond quickly to risks.

Acre Security supports manufacturers with identity management

Acre Security provides manufacturing facilities with a comprehensive identity and access management portfolio designed to protect employees, operations, and intellectual property. Our approach combines advanced access control, visitor management, intrusion detection, and secure communications to meet the demanding requirements of industrial environments.

Manufacturers use Acre to:

• Regulate worker access to sensitive production areas through role-based access controls and mobile credentials.
• Streamline visitor and contractor entry with digital workflows and real-time hazard alerts, ensuring only authorized personnel enter the facility.
• Detect and respond to threats quickly with facility-wide monitoring and intrusion detection.
• Protect operational data with secure industrial networking from Comnet by Acre, for resilient connectivity across sites.
• Gain insights into production by analysing access control data for efficiency and workforce trends.

Success stories include:

A leading food manufacturer in the US implemented Acre's ACT365 cloud access control to modernise security and improve efficiency.

A specialist steel company in the UK upgraded its access control with Acre and OLS, securing critical operations and reducing costs.

Analog Devices Ireland strengthened its plant security with a fully customised visitor management system, improving accountability and compliance.

With Acre, you get:

• Customizable, scalable solutions tailored to plants of any size.
• Seamless integration with existing production and IT systems.
• Flexible deployment options: cloud, hybrid, or on-premises.
• Compliance-ready reporting aligned with ISO 27001 and other safety standards.
• Future-ready infrastructure designed for Industry 4.0 and IoT connectivity.

Ready to modernise your approach to manufacturing digital identity management? Talk to an Acre Security expert today.

FAQs on manufacturing identity management

What is identity and access management (IAM) in manufacturing?
IAM verifies employees, contractors, and visitors, ensuring they only access authorised facilities, systems, and equipment.

Why is IAM important for manufacturers?
IAM reduces risks from insider threats, protects IP, ensures compliance, and supports safe, efficient operations across plants.

How does IAM improve cybersecurity in manufacturing?
IAM controls access to IT and OT systems, using multi-factor authentication, biometrics, and single sign-on to prevent breaches.

What are common IAM challenges in manufacturing?
Key challenges include securing multi-site operations, integrating legacy OT systems, managing contractors, and balancing security with productivity.

Can IAM integrate with industrial control systems?
Yes. Modern IAM connects with SCADA, IoT devices, and OT networks via APIs, securing both human and machine identities.

How does IAM support compliance in manufacturing?
IAM provides audit trails, automated provisioning, and access controls that align with ISO, NIST, OSHA, and GDPR standards.

What are the benefits of IAM for manufacturing staff?
Employees get faster onboarding, simple sign-on to applications, and safe access to equipment and facilities.

Is cloud-based IAM safe for manufacturing plants?
Yes. Cloud-native IAM offers encrypted access, real-time control, resilience against downtime, and central management across sites.

How can IAM improve plant safety?
By restricting access to hazardous areas and machinery, IAM ensures only trained and authorised staff can enter or operate.

Why choose Acre Security for manufacturing IAM?
Acre Security delivers flexible, integrated IAM solutions designed for industrial environments, uniting digital and physical access under one secure platform.