By Surya Narayana Mallik, Software Developer, Shreyas Webmedia Solutions
May 8, 2025: The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is reshaping how industries operate by linking machines, sensors, and software to create smart, automated ecosystems. From predictive maintenance to real-time production monitoring, IIoT is enabling a new era of efficiency and innovation. However, with this transformation comes an expanding attack surface—particularly at the IoT gateway level, where edge devices connect to cloud or on-premise systems.
To protect these critical nodes, organizations are increasingly turning to Identity as a Service (IDaaS)—a cloud-based identity and access management solution that provides secure, scalable, and centralized control over users, devices, and applications. This article explores how IDaaS applies specifically to industrial IoT, the security mechanisms it enables, and how it supports compliance, lifecycle management, and Zero Trust architectures.
1. What is IDaaS for Industrial IoT?
IDaaS is a cloud-delivered platform that manages digital identities and controls access to systems. In the context of industrial IoT, IDaaS governs the identity lifecycle of machines, gateways, and users across highly distributed and heterogeneous environments.
2. How Does IDaaS Secure IoT Gateways?
IDaaS platforms enhance security at the gateway level using:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for administrative access
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for encrypted, mutual TLS communication
Device certificates to authenticate non-human entities
Access policies based on identity, location, and operational context
This layered security model reduces the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement.
3. Best IDaaS Providers for Industrial IoT
Organizations evaluating IDaaS for industrial use often consider providers with robust device identity features:
Thales – Offers strong encryption, HSM integration, and certificate-based access
GlobalSign – PKI platform supporting secure IoT device identity lifecycle
Azure Active Directory – Integrates with Azure IoT Hub for unified access control
AWS IAM + IoT Core – Device policies, mutual authentication, and certificate provisioning
4. IDaaS Integration with Legacy Industrial Systems
A major challenge is integrating modern IDaaS systems with aging Operational Technology (OT). Solutions include:
Protocol adapters or gateway proxies that bridge old protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC-UA) with secure identity systems
Edge-resident IDaaS agents that function even during cloud disconnects
5. IDaaS vs Traditional IAM in Industrial IoT
Traditional IAM systems are often on-premise and user-centric, whereas IDaaS is cloud-native, API-driven, and supports device-to-cloud identity at scale.
| Feature | Traditional IAM | IDaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | On-premise | Cloud-native |
| Scope | User-centric | User + device identities |
| Scalability | Limited | Designed for scale |
| Maintenance | Manual | Auto-updated |
| Integration | Limited APIs | Rich API support |
6. PKI-Based IDaaS for IoT Gateways
PKI enables gateways to use mutual TLS (mTLS) and digital certificates to establish secure channels. With IDaaS:
Devices are issued unique certificates at onboarding
Keys are rotated automatically
Revoked credentials are instantly invalidated
PKI ensures trust across distributed IIoT environments, where human intervention is not feasible.
7. Compliance and IDaaS in Industrial Settings
Industrial sectors face increasing scrutiny under regulations like:
IEC 62443 – Secure system development and deployment in industrial control systems
NIST 800-53 / 800-82 – Cybersecurity for information systems and ICS
GDPR / CCPA – Data protection for operational data
IDaaS supports compliance through:
Centralized identity governance
Auditable logs of access and changes
Role- and attribute-based access enforcement
8. IDaaS Lifecycle Management for IoT Devices
With IDaaS, organizations can automate and secure the entire device lifecycle:
Provisioning – Devices register with unique identities and cryptographic keys
Authentication – Devices authenticate with issued credentials before sending or receiving data
Decommissioning – Credentials are revoked and identities wiped securely at end-of-life
This reduces the risk of orphaned devices becoming security liabilities.
9. Zero Trust Architecture with IDaaS in IIoT
Zero Trust in industrial environments is critical, especially as IT and OT networks converge. IDaaS enables:
Continuous verification of identities and context
Least privilege enforcement via dynamic access policies
Micro-segmentation of device communication based on identity
This ensures no entity—user or device—is trusted by default, even inside the network perimeter.
10. Secure OTA Updates Using IDaaS for IoT
Firmware and software updates are common entry points for attackers. IDaaS secures over-the-air (OTA) updates by:
Validating the identity of update sources
Verifying digital signatures on firmware
Enforcing secure transport channels with TLS
This prevents supply chain attacks and ensures update integrity.
Architecture Overview: IDaaS + IoT Gateways
A typical architecture for IDaaS-enabled industrial IoT includes:
1. IoT Gateway Software
Hosts lightweight identity agents
Performs local validation of credentials
Manages edge-to-cloud certificate-based communication
2. IDaaS Platform
Cloud-hosted or hybrid
Manages identity lifecycle (issue, renew, revoke)
Enforces access policies and logs identity events
3. PKI Infrastructure
Issues digital certificates to devices
Enforces mTLS for encrypted communication
Supports short-lived, automatically rotated credentials
4. Cloud Services and SCADA Systems
Consume authenticated data streams
Send commands to validated gateways
Maintain full traceability for all identity actions
Key Benefits of IDaaS for Industrial IoT
Stronger Security Posture – Certificate-based, zero-trust-ready identity
Unified Identity Management – Across users, apps, and machines
Scalable Automation – Manage thousands of devices without manual provisioning
Regulatory Compliance – Built-in audit logging, MFA, and policy enforcement
Operational Continuity – Offline fallback for remote or intermittently connected devices
Conclusion
As industrial environments become increasingly connected, the need for robust identity management becomes critical. IoT gateways, as the frontline of IIoT communications, must be protected with strong, scalable identity solutions. IDaaS offers a modern, secure, and flexible way to manage these identities—enabling everything from secure onboarding and authentication to audit logging and compliance reporting.
By integrating IDaaS into their industrial ecosystems, organizations not only strengthen security but also future-proof their operations for the demands of Industry 4.0 and beyond.