Managing complex, cross-site multi-layered physical access requirements across highly secure and restricted areas
Aerospace│Defence
Challenges
Both in the aerospace and defence sector, possible security attacks are a significant threat. Whether cyber-attacks, terrorism, or physical threats: Such high-value targets are vulnerable environments. A secure Physical Identity & Access Management (PIAM) is crucial to protect sensitive facilities, assets, and data from unauthorised access and insider threats. It also ensures compliance with strict security regulations while safeguarding national security and intellectual property.
Common PIAM requirements in the aerospace/defence sector
Preventing insider threats and unauthorised access by accurately verifying personnel, contractors, passengers, and visitors
Lifecycle management of access authorisations for a large, diverse workforce, including employees, contractors, and passengers
Ensuring compliance with strict regulatory frameworks and policies while adapting to evolving security threats
Maintaining real-time overview and control as well as audit trails without disrupting critical operations or delaying missions
Protecting against cyber-physical convergence risks where physical access systems are targeted by cyberattacks
Sensitive areas & insider threats in the aerospace sector
In aerospace, PIAM challenges include controlling access to sensitive areas like hangars and manufacturing floors while ensuring compliance with common standards. Insider threats where employees, contractors or vendors with authorised access might misuse to gain unauthorised entry to restricted areas must be prevented. This is compounded by the high value of aerospace intellectual property and the presence of complex, multi-level access environments.
High risk factors and critical national security in the defence sector
In the defence sector, unauthorised physical access is particularly dangerous because defence facilities often house advanced technologies, weapons systems, and intelligence data, making any breach potentially catastrophic for national security. Additional risk factors include inadequate vetting processes, shared or poorly managed credentials or different legacy access control systems that are hard to monitor in real time. Effective mitigation requires strict identity verification, continuous monitoring, role-based access policies, and integration of physical and cyber security measures.
Cyber-physical convergence and compliance requirements
In both aerospace and defence, strict physical access control and authentication ensures that security gaps are minimised also with regard to cyber-threats: Sensitive assets are protected from unauthorised physical access, preventing cyber-attacks. Maintaining these controls also ensures compliance with regulatory standards which is essential for both operational integrity and legal adherence.
How ID-ware’s PIAM Suite can support to master these challenges
Physical access management across all sensitive areas
- Creation, issuance, tracking, and revocation of permissions in one platform
- Cross-site physical access management for multiple areas
- Temporary, role-based access permissions can be issued and revoked when no longer needed (e.g. for visitors, vendors and contractors)
Time-limited, role-based physical access
- Dynamic updating of access permissions in case of role changes
- Integrates legacy access control systems for real-time monitoring and alerts
- Reduction of manual errors due to automated processes
Cyber-physical convergence & automated audit trails
- Controlled physical access can prevent cyber-attacks
- Automated audit trails to protect sensitive assets
- Secure Contractor Management to prevent insider threats
Just contact us for more information!
All our departments and processes are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified.
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