Strengthening Manufacturing Security with WAVE ID® Authentication
The foundation of secure manufacturing starts at the endpoint. As production environments become more connected and digital technologies extend across the factory floor, manufacturers must balance strong access control with uninterrupted operations.
Cyberattacks targeting manufacturers are not just increasing — they are accelerating. Recent industry research shows attacks against manufacturing rose 105% in the first half of 2024 compared to 2023, with the sector accounting for roughly 41% of all reported cyber incidents during that period. Manufacturing has now ranked as the most attacked industry for multiple consecutive years, and its share of global cyberattacks has more than doubled since 2018. Nearly half of manufacturers report experiencing a breach. Why? Because cybercriminals know of a significant weakness : manufacturers cannot afford downtime.
The Hidden Cost of Weak Credentials
Several key vulnerabilities continue to put manufacturing operations at risk:
- Compromised credentials account for nearly 80% of hacking incidents.
- 44% of manufacturers have proprietary information accessible to all employees.
- Unplanned downtime costs the industry approximately $50 billion annually.
Passwords are at the center of this problem. They are reused, shared, written down, and frequently reset. In environments with shared workstations—such as HMIs, PLCs, and SCADA systems—employees may log in and out dozens of times per shift. The result is wasted time, increased frustration, and heightened cybersecurity risk.
To eliminate this vulnerability, manufacturers are turning to passwordless authentication solutions like WAVE ID® from rf IDEAS.
Passwordless Access Built for the Production Floor
WAVE ID® readers empower authorized employees with secure, tap-and-go authentication using their existing physical access badges—or even smartphone-based credentials. Instead of typing usernames and passwords, employees simply present their credential to log in.
This touchless, hardware-based authentication supports:
- Single sign-on (SSO)
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Logical access control across shared workstations and industrial systems
By leveraging nearly any existing physical access credential worldwide, WAVE ID® enables secure logical access anywhere in the plant—without requiring new badge deployments.
The impact is immediate:
- No more shared passwords
- No more open workstations
- No more wasted time resetting credentials
Secure Every Endpoint Across the Plant
Manufacturing environments are complex ecosystems of connected devices and systems. WAVE ID® readers fit into existing workflows and processes for a variety or application uses, as well as bringing added value to device authentication with OEM integrations. Examples include:
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs)
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- SCADA systems
- Shared workstations
- Multi-function printers
- POS systems
- Industrial vending
- Time clocks
- Lobby turnstiles and parking garages
- Forklifts and tool crib dispensing systems
The readers are engineered to withstand demanding industrial environments while maintaining reliability and performance.
Boost Productivity While Strengthening Security
Manufacturers often hesitate to introduce new security measures for fear of slowing production. WAVE ID® eliminates that trade-off.
Constantly re-entering passwords at shared stations wastes valuable production time. With tap-and-go authentication, operators can securely access systems in seconds. The streamlined sign-on process reduces administrative burden and minimizes human error, allowing employees to focus on throughput rather than IT tasks.
Nearly all existing manufacturing systems are compatible with WAVE ID® readers, and the platform supports common protocols such as USB, RS232 ASCII, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and PROFINET. With desktop, surface-mount, and embedded form factors available, deployment is flexible across facilities.
Compliance, Safety, and Accountability
Regulatory requirements continue to evolve, from OSHA safety mandates to GDPR data protections and expanding MFA standards. Maintaining compliance across a large workforce—especially in multi-shift operations—can be difficult when relying on passwords.
Integrating WAVE ID® readers into your manufacturing facility helps to increase workflow efficiency and strengthen regulator compliance by:
- Providing secure, auditable authentication records
- Restricting access to sensitive areas and systems
- Enhancing workforce accountability
- Supporting multi-factor authentication initiatives
One Technology. Endless Manufacturing Possibilities.
Manufacturing’s low tolerance for downtime makes it uniquely vulnerable to ransomware, phishing, IP theft, supply chain attacks, and equipment sabotage. The most effective way to reduce risk is to eliminate the greatest vulnerability: manually entered passwords.
By implementing WAVE ID® authentication across endpoints—PLCs, clean rooms, secure printers, tool cribs, and production workstations—manufacturers can:
- Fortify operations against cyberthreats
- Reduce unplanned downtime
- Protect proprietary data
- Improve workforce efficiency
- Maintain compliance and safety standards
Trust begins with knowing exactly who is accessing your systems. With WAVE ID® from rf IDEAS, manufacturers gain secure, seamless authentication that enhances both cybersecurity and operational performance—without sacrificing productivity.
On the factory floor, delays add up quickly. Passwordless authentication removes friction from system access, turning security into an operational advantage rather than a bottleneck.
Contact Barcodes, Inc. today to learn how to start implementing secure access that counters modern security risks.
