Hardware Authentication in Manufacturing: Why FIDO2 Keys Are the Future of Industrial Security

In my latest blog post, I examine the challenges facing the manufacturing industry more closely. What solutions are available, and what benefits do they offer? Finally, I share my conclusion.

Cyberattacks are on the rise, with the manufacturing industry being the main target. In 2024, the manufacturing industry was the single most targeted sector for cyberattacks - accounting for over 25% of all global cyber incidents for the third consecutive year. Particularly alarming is the rise in phishing attacks, which surged by 80% from September 2023 to September 2024. In Germany alone, 53% of companies cited phishing as their top cyber threat.

This growing risk is driven by the increasing complexity and connectivity introduced by Industry 4.0 technologies, including IIoT devices, cloud infrastructures, and OT systems. These innovations expand the attack surface and require a more robust and comprehensive security approach. Also, things like insecurely linked IT and OT environments in combination with shared user accounts in the OT ecosystem make the attack surfaces even bigger.

A successful attack on IT systems can lead to a significant security incidents in OT and vice versa. To remain resilient and compliant, manufacturers must align with global regulations like the FDA, OSHA, EPA, ISO 9001, GMP, and European frameworks such as NIS2 and KRITIS.

Phishing remains the most common method of introducing ransomware into IT and OT networks. For manufacturers, this often results in production stoppages and costly downtime.

With the integration of digital systems and networked devices, physical access points, such as production areas and offices, are also vulnerable to attack.

From FDA equipment safety standards to ISO 9001 quality frameworks, manufacturing companies must ensure that they meet stringent global safety requirements.

Swissbit’s iShield Key 2 offers a compact, all-in-one solution for digital and physical access control, tailored to the unique needs of the manufacturing environment.

Supporting major physical access technologies (MIFARE, HID, LEGIC), the iShield Key 2 can replace traditional badges or keycards. It integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure and enables passwordless login with FIDO2, multi-factor authentication, and OTP (one-time password) functionality.

With FIPS 140-3 Level 3 and Common Criteria EAL6+ certifications, the iShield Key 2 delivers government-grade protection. These certifications ensure strong encryption, tamper resistance, and data integrity.

Ruggedized and highly durable, the device is ideal for production environments where smartphones and laptops may not be permitted due to safety or electromagnetic interference concerns.

By combining physical and digital authentication into a single device, companies can reduce complexity and save on device management and support efforts.

According to the 2025 HYPR State of Passwordless Identity Assurance Report, hardware authentication devices and FIDO passkeys are expected to become the gold standard by 2027. Swissbit’s iShield Key 2 positions manufacturers to lead in this transition—ensuring they’re prepared for a passwordless future.

As cyber threats intensify and regulations tighten, manufacturers can no longer afford fragmented or outdated security systems. The Swissbit iShield Key 2 delivers a future-proof authentication platform - combining security, usability, and compliance in one powerful tool. And with Swissbit, you gain a trusted European partner ready to secure your digital transformation journey.