Pic credit: Pexels|ThisIsEngineering
By Surya Narayana Mallik, Software Developer, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions
May 15, 2025: With the rapid convergence of operational technology (OT) and IT, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are increasingly accessed remotely by operators, engineers, and third-party vendors. While this enhances flexibility and operational efficiency, it introduces substantial cybersecurity risks. Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) has emerged as a critical enabler of secure, compliant, and scalable remote access to SCADA environments.
This article explores how IDaaS applies to remote SCADA monitoring, how it enables Zero Trust security, supports IEC 62443 compliance, and integrates with legacy systems, with practical comparisons to VPNs and insights into top IDaaS solutions.
What is IDaaS for Remote SCADA Monitoring?
Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) is a cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution that offers centralized authentication, authorization, and user identity governance. For remote SCADA monitoring, IDaaS ensures that only verified users can securely access control systems, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and remote terminal units (RTUs) across geographically distributed industrial environments.
IDaaS enables:
Centralized access control across multiple SCADA instances
Integration with both IT directories (Active Directory, LDAP) and OT environments
Secure remote access using modern protocols (SAML, OAuth2, OpenID Connect)
Logging and auditing for user activity in compliance with industry regulations
How to Secure Remote SCADA Access with IDaaS
To securely implement IDaaS in a SCADA architecture:
Integrate SCADA Applications with IDaaS using APIs or identity gateways.
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all remote users.
Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to restrict access by user role.
Apply Conditional Access Policies based on device health, geolocation, or time of day.
Leverage Federation for third-party vendor access using temporary, scoped credentials.
Monitor and Log all access events through centralized logging and SIEM integrations.
These steps help mitigate risks such as stolen credentials, unauthorized access, or lateral movement within industrial networks.
Best IDaaS Solutions for SCADA Systems
Here are some top IDaaS platforms suited for industrial and SCADA environments:
| Vendor | Strengths | OT Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Entra ID | Deep integration with Active Directory and Azure; Conditional Access; scalable | Moderate OT integration |
| Okta Workforce Identity | Strong identity federation, MFA, and RBAC; extensive integrations | Requires third-party OT bridges |
| ForgeRock | Identity orchestration and support for legacy systems | Suitable for hybrid IT/OT |
| CyberArk Identity | Privileged access management (PAM) for OT assets | SCADA-specific modules |
| Xage Security | Built for industrial edge, SCADA, and Zero Trust in OT | High OT/SCADA specialization |
| Keyfactor + Azure IoT | IoT and SCADA-focused certificate management and access control | Device identity-centric |
When evaluating solutions, prioritize IEC 62443 compliance, protocol compatibility (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT), and edge deployment capabilities.
Zero Trust Architecture for SCADA Using IDaaS
Traditional perimeter-based security is insufficient for modern SCADA systems. IDaaS helps enforce Zero Trust by:
Never trusting by default, always verifying identity and context
Authenticating continuously with adaptive policies
Limiting access strictly through least-privilege principles
Micro-segmenting access between zones (e.g., control center and field assets)
Monitoring every session for anomalies or policy violations
With IDaaS, SCADA environments can shift from implicit trust models to continuous verification, ensuring secure remote access and segmentation of critical assets.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for SCADA Remote Access
MFA is a vital security control in remote SCADA environments. IDaaS platforms support:
Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP)
Hardware tokens or smart cards
Biometric authentication
Push notifications via mobile apps
FIDO2/WebAuthn device authentication
MFA reduces the risk of credential compromise—especially critical in industries like energy and water, where unauthorized access could lead to service disruption or safety hazards.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in SCADA via IDaaS
RBAC allows administrators to define user roles (e.g., operator, technician, engineer, contractor) and assign access permissions based on the principle of least privilege.
With IDaaS:
Roles are centrally defined and enforced across SCADA platforms.
Temporary and just-in-time access can be granted to vendors.
Access changes are automatically logged for auditing.
For example, an on-site technician may only access sensor data and alarms for their assigned plant, while a remote engineer may require access to configuration parameters—both managed via IDaaS.
IDaaS for IEC 62443 Compliance in SCADA Systems
The IEC 62443 standard defines security requirements for industrial automation and control systems (IACS). IDaaS supports compliance by:
Enforcing strong user authentication (62443-3-3 SR 1.1)
Implementing account management and RBAC (SR 1.2 – 1.4)
Maintaining audit logs of identity-related events (SR 6.1)
Supporting secure remote access and session termination (SR 1.6, SR 3.1)
By aligning access control with IEC 62443 security levels, IDaaS helps industrial operators meet audit and governance mandates with minimal overhead.
IDaaS Integration with Legacy SCADA Systems
One of the most common concerns is integrating IDaaS with older SCADA platforms that lack modern API support or SAML/OAuth compatibility.
Solutions include:
Identity Gateways that translate legacy authentication into modern protocols
Proxy-based access where the IDaaS controls the gateway or jump host
Edge identity agents installed at control layer or DMZ
Use of protocol-aware access brokers for Modbus, DNP3, or OPC DA systems
These integrations enable secure identity control without requiring disruptive SCADA upgrades.
Secure SCADA Monitoring Over Cloud with IDaaS
As organizations migrate SCADA systems to hybrid or cloud-hosted models, IDaaS plays a pivotal role in enabling secure, compliant access:
Cloud-native identity management for mobile workforces
Integration with IoT platforms and data lakes
Geo-restricted and time-bound access policies
Encrypted connections with identity-aware proxies
By combining IDaaS with secure cloud networking (e.g., SD-WAN, SASE), industrial operators can monitor and control remote assets while maintaining strong security postures.
IDaaS vs VPN for SCADA Operator Remote Access
| Feature | IDaaS | VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Access Granularity | Per user, per role, per resource | All-or-nothing access to internal network |
| Security Model | Zero Trust, identity-aware | Perimeter-based, implicit trust |
| User Experience | Seamless SSO, browser/app-based | Requires VPN client installation |
| Visibility & Logging | Centralized, detailed identity logs | Limited session visibility |
| Compliance Alignment | Built-in support for IEC 62443, NIST | Requires separate monitoring tools |
| Scalability | Cloud-native, easy user onboarding | Manual provisioning, bandwidth limitations |
| Integration with OT | Identity gateways and edge agents | Lacks identity-level control in OT context |
Conclusion: While VPNs offer network access, IDaaS delivers application-level, identity-aware access that better aligns with modern security and compliance requirements for SCADA environments.
Final Thoughts
Remote SCADA access is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern industrial operations. But without proper identity controls, it becomes a vector for cyberattacks and compliance violations.
IDaaS provides the foundation for secure, scalable, and standards-aligned remote access to SCADA systems. With features like Zero Trust enforcement, RBAC, MFA, and seamless legacy integration, IDaaS transforms how organizations manage identity in critical infrastructure.
An experienced IDaaS consultant can help you implement Zero Trust architecture, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC), and integrate modern identity solutions with legacy SCADA environments. Whether you’re aiming to replace VPNs with identity-aware access or meet IEC 62443 and NIST compliance standards, a consultant ensures a secure, efficient rollout tailored to your operational needs.