Enhancing Airport Security and Efficiency with Key2XS

Airports are among the most complex and security-sensitive environments in the world. With thousands of employees, multiple stakeholders, and critical infrastructure ranging from runways to baggage handling systems, ensuring both physical and digital security is paramount.

Traditionally, airports have relied on a patchwork of mechanical locks, electronic access systems, and separate IT identity management solutions. This fragmentation not only creates inefficiencies but also exposes critical vulnerabilities. That’s where Key2XS comes in.

Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Digital Access

Key2XS integrates ASSA Abloy CLIQ and other electronic key systems directly with modern Identity and Access Management (IAM) platforms such as Microsoft Entra ID, SailPoint, One Identity, and Okta. This allows airports to manage both logical and physical access from one single pane of glass.

• A ground engineer’s access to the fuel depot can be linked to their digital role.

• A baggage handler’s physical key is automatically revoked if their HR contract ends.

• Contractors can be granted temporary keys tied to specific projects and schedules.

This convergence eliminates the need for manual updates across separate systems and dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Security and Compliance Advantages

Airports fall under the scope of the NIS2 and CER (Critical Entities Resilience) directives in the EU. These regulations demand stronger controls, reporting mechanisms, and demonstrable resilience against hybrid threats.

With Key2XS, airports can:

• Revoke access instantly when a badge or key is compromised.

• Maintain audit trails for every key usage and identity action.

• Automate compliance reporting for regulators.

• Ensure resilience against insider threats and coordinated attacks.

Operational Efficiency

Beyond security, Key2XS enhances efficiency:

• Centralized management reduces the burden on IT and facility managers.

• AI-driven recommendations suggest optimized key plans, reducing redundant access rights.

• Role-based provisioning ensures staff and contractors only have the access they need, when they need it.

This not only saves time and money but also creates a safer working environment across terminals, maintenance hangars, and airside operations.

Real-World Impact

Imagine a scenario: a contractor working on runway lighting requires access for just two days. With Key2XS, the airport’s IAM system automatically provisions a digital identity and links it to a temporary CLIQ key. Once the contract ends, both the IT account and the physical key permissions are automatically revoked—without manual intervention.

The result: stronger security, seamless compliance, and greater operational agility.

Key2XS puts airports at the forefront of security innovation, ensuring that physical keys are no longer a weak link in critical infrastructure.