--- title: "Two Factor Authentication to Protect Manufacturing systems" description: "UserLock’s 2FA maintains strong authentication and access controls in manufacturing environments, on or offline. No added complexity, no frustration for end users. " locale: "en" updated_at: "2026-07-10T15:36:00.973Z" canonical: "https://www.isdecisions.com/en/userlock/solutions/two-factor-authentication-manufacturing" --- # MFA for manufacturing _UserLock for Manufacturing_ Add MFA and access controls to the Active Directory environment your production systems already run on, across office, shop floor, and air-gapped IT/OT environments. No infrastructure changes required. Supports CMMC, ISO 27001, and more. ## Stop threats at the point of access Manufacturing is one of the most targeted sectors for ransomware and credential-based attacks. The consequences go beyond data loss, and a compromised login can stop a production line, delay delivery schedules, and trigger regulatory reporting obligations. UserLock adds MFA and access controls to your existing Active Directory environment, securing every logon across back-office systems, shop floor workstations, and remote access points. Prevent compromised credentials from being used, stop account sharing between shift workers, and attribute every session to an individual user, without changing the infrastructure your operations depend on. ### MFA for manufacturing environments Apply [Active Directory MFA](/userlock/features/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-active-directory) to verify user identity at the point of logon across Windows logon, RDP, RD Gateway, RemoteApp, VPN, OWA, Microsoft 365, and other SaaS applications. Control whether and how often MFA is required by AD user, group, OU, or session type. Maintain policies in offline and air-gapped environments, including production floors where connectivity is restricted. ### Single sign-on (SSO) to SaaS resources Keep AD as the authoritative identity store while giving engineers, back-office staff, and remote teams secure, low-friction access to Microsoft 365 and other cloud applications. UserLock's [Active Directory SSO](/userlock/features/single-sign-on-sso-active-directory) uses SAML federation to extend on-premises authentication to SaaS, without duplicating directories or moving identity to the cloud. Access controls and audit trail stay centralized in Active Directory. ### Contextual access controls for Active Directory Add [context-based access policies](/userlock/features/enforce-user-logon-restrictions-contextual-access-management) that define who can log on, how, from where, and when. Restrict access by machine, IP address, time, and session type. Limit concurrent sessions to prevent credential sharing across shifts. For manufacturing IT teams, this means enforcing least-privilege access for engineers, operators, and remote maintenance staff by AD user, group, and OU. ### Real-time session monitoring and response [Monitor every active session](/userlock/features/monitor-active-directory-user-logon-logoff) across your network and respond immediately to block or log off a user when something looks wrong. Automated alerts flag suspicious login patterns, failed MFA attempts, out-of-hours access, or concurrent session violations, so your IT team can act before production is affected. ### Centralized audit & compliance reporting Generate [detailed reports](/userlock/features/windows-active-directory-user-logon-reports) on every access event across workstations, remote access points, and SaaS resources. Prove who logged on, from where, when, and what access policies were enforced. Attribute every session to a named individual, with reports ready for internal audits, regulatory reviews, and incident forensics across CMMC, ISO 27001, and NIS2 requirements. ## Protect production systems, OT environments, and intellectual property ### Stop credential-based attacks Stolen credentials are the most common entry point for attacks on manufacturing environments. With MFA and contextual access controls enforced at every logon, compromised credentials alone cannot grant access, blocking the lateral movement that allows attackers to pivot from IT systems into OT networks, SCADA systems, and production infrastructure. ### Limit concurrent sessions and logons On production floors where multiple workers share the same terminal across shifts, concurrent session limits are essential. Enforce single-session rules and prevent account sharing to ensure every active session is tied to one authenticated user, regardless of workstation setup. ### Attribute access to individuals Tie every logon event to an AD user account, even on shared machines in shift environments. Full session attribution supports incident investigations, internal audits, and the access traceability requirements expected under CMMC, ISO 27001, and NIS2. ## Why manufacturing organizations choose UserLock #### Enforce job-role-based access Limit access to production data, proprietary designs, and sensitive systems by AD user, group, or OU, ensuring staff can only reach what their role requires, without manual intervention. #### Protect privileged accounts from compromise Apply granular MFA and access controls to privileged accounts: domain admins, service accounts, and engineers with access to critical production systems and OT infrastructure. Enforce tighter controls on the accounts that carry the highest operational risk. #### Keep authentication on-premises Extend secure access to Microsoft 365 and SaaS applications without routing authentication through the cloud. UserLock SSO keeps identity data and authentication logic on-premises, important for manufacturers with strict data residency requirements or OT-adjacent systems that can't depend on cloud connectivity. #### Minimize disruption to users and IT For shop floor operators, engineers, or remote staff, MFA appears as a familiar step at Windows logon. No training required, no workflow disruption. MFA enrollment is self-service and takes minutes, keeping helpdesk load low even at scale. #### Deploy quickly, scale easily Deploy UserLock on top of your existing Active Directory environment. No duplicate directory, no migration project, no disruption to production systems. Apply MFA and access policies directly to existing AD users, groups, and OUs, and be up and running in days. #### Meet manufacturing compliance requirements Identify, audit, and attribute all access to a named user account. Prove that you implement and enforce strong access controls as required. Meet the audit and reporting standards expected under CMMC, ISO 27001, and NIST. For manufacturers in scope, NIS2 requirements also apply.