CyberArk and Device Authority, in collaboration with Microsoft, deliver device authentication for manufacturers
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CyberArk and Device Authority, in collaboration with Microsoft, have launched a solution that strengthens and scales connected device authentication to enterprise applications with Zero Trust principles. It helps manufacturers reduce cyber risk from connected devices in factory floors and edge environments with robust identity security, automated access management and device lifecycle protection.
The manufacturing industry is rapidly transforming to digital, driven by the coming together of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Operational Technology (OT), with countless devices connected to optimise operations. Each connected device potentially introduces new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The NIST reference architecture for IoT, introduced in May 2024, provides a structured approach to secure onboarding, continuous device management and threat monitoring across the device lifecycle. The collaboration between Microsoft, CyberArk and Device Authority helps organisations translate this framework into practical, scalable solutions.
Each partner brings essential capabilities to this end-to-end solution architecture for NIST compliance.
- Through Microsoft Azure IoT and Defender for IoT, Microsoft enables secure, scalable device management and real-time monitoring. The cloud-edge integration ensures consistent device security, even in remote, air-gapped environments.
- CyberArk’s modern privileged access management capabilities restrict unauthorised human access to critical devices and systems, enforcing user and device security policies without the need for time consuming, error-prone manual human intervention.
- Device Authority automates secure device onboarding, identity credentialing and encryption, minimising human error, accelerating incident response and maintaining data integrity through the connected ecosystem.
Device Authority’s CEO, Darron Antill, commented: “Manufacturers often face unique security challenges, particularly at the edge, where devices operate in remote or decentralised locations. Edge environments introduce added vulnerabilities thanks to high device density, varying network connectivity, and intermittent monitoring, but there is still the need for real-time decision-making. This complex environment requires a solution operating across widely dispersed devices and locations to help ensure device and data security and operational continuity. Our joint solution addresses these challenges with a unified solution that enables manufacturers to protect devices from malicious access and maintain operational resilience, even in the most distributed settings.”
Clarence Hinton, the chief strategy officer at CyberArk, added: “The complexity of the security challenges faced by manufacturers, in particular, means that no single solution can enable an organisation to be fully compliant with important NIST guidelines, while creating a piecemeal solution is impractical. By joining forces, we are smoothing the way for people to implement NIST compliance best practices, extending privileged access management controls across the entire spectrum of identities.”
Dayan Rodriquez, the corporate vice president of manufacturing and mobility at Microsoft, concluded: “As connected technologies become more embedded in manufacturers operations, protecting these devices is critical. This collaboration provides manufacturers with a comprehensive approach to their IoT security, directly aligned with NIST’s latest guidelines. With an ecosystem-based security solution, manufacturers can protect their operations from the factory floor to the edge, ensuring regulatory compliance and resilience against cyber threats.”
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