--- title: Securing Harbours in the Digital Age with Key2XS description: How ports secure quays, terminals and critical assets with identity-driven key management from Key2XS, audit-ready for CER and NIS2. image: https://key2xs.com/hubfs/scheveningen.png --- [![Key2XS](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/img/logo-white-horizontal.svg) ![Key2XS](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/img/logo-blue-horizontal.svg)](https://key2xs.com/?hsLang=nl) Why Governance? 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Key2XS gives harbour authorities identity-driven governance over quays, terminals and critical assets — with automatic revocation and an audit trail. # **Securing Harbours in the Digital Age with Key2XS** Harbours are critical hubs of international trade, energy supply, and passenger transport. Every day, thousands of containers, vessels, and people pass through their gates. This makes ports attractive targets for both **cyber threats** and **physical intrusions**. With the EU’s [CER and NIS2](https://www.key2xs.com/whitepaper?hsLang=nl) directives demanding higher resilience of critical entities, harbour authorities must rethink how they manage access to their infrastructure.   ## **The Challenge: Hybrid Security Risks** Ports face unique risks that combine the **physical** and the **digital**: - **Physical access threats**: Unauthorized contractors or insiders with mechanical keys can gain access to restricted zones such as fuel depots, power connections, or control rooms. - **Cyber intrusion attempts**: Compromised IT accounts can provide attackers with digital entry points into terminal operating systems, vessel traffic systems, or customs platforms. - **Hybrid attacks**: Increasingly, adversaries exploit both worlds using stolen or duplicated keys to enter restricted areas while simultaneously attacking IT/OT systems to disrupt port operations. Traditional mechanical key management and siloed IT access controls are no longer sufficient to defend against such coordinated threats.   ## **The Key2XS Solution** Key2XS bridges the **digital identity world** and **physical key systems** in one unified platform. By integrating leading key technologies such as [ASSA ABLOY CLIQ](https://www.assaabloy.com/nl/nl/solutions/topics/digital-access-solutions/cliq) and [iLOQ](http://www.iloq.com) with IAM platforms like [Microsoft Entra ID](http://www.microsoft.com)**, [SailPoint](http://www.sailpoint.com), [One Identity](http://www.oneidentity.com), [OpenText](http://www.opentext.com) and [Okta](http://www.okta.com)**, Key2XS provides a **single pane of glass** for managing all access rights both logical and physical.   ### **Key Capabilities for Harbour Security** - **Just-in-Time (JIT) keys**: Harbour workers, contractors, and ship crews receive temporary, revocable access rights only when needed. - **Instant revocation**: Lost or stolen keys can be blocked immediately, reducing the risk of unauthorized entry. - **AI-driven keyplans**: Key2XS automatically generates optimized key hierarchies for complex harbour infrastructures — from container terminals to fuel pipelines — based on IAM roles and operational data. - **Audit & compliance reporting**: Every key action is logged and aligned with **CER/NIS2** reporting requirements, ensuring audit readiness at all times. - **SOC/SIEM integration**: Security Operations Centers can monitor physical access events alongside cyber events, detecting hybrid attacks early.   ## **Real-World Use Cases in Harbours** - **Contractor Management**: Maintenance crews working on cranes or fuel tanks receive JIT keys linked to their digital identities. Access expires automatically after the task is complete. - **Emergency Response**: Firefighters or coast guard teams can be granted immediate access to specific zones during emergencies without manual reprogramming. - **Critical Zone Protection**: Control rooms, IT servers, and energy supply units are protected with electronic keys tied directly to cybersecurity policies.   ## **The Result: A Resilient Harbour** With Key2XS, harbour authorities gain: - **Improved operational efficiency**: Less manual key distribution and paperwork. - **Reduced security risks**: No more uncontrolled copies or standing permissions. - **Full compliance**: Built-in alignment with **CER** and **NIS2** obligations. - **Future-proof integration**: Scalable across multiple terminals, logistic partners, and jurisdictions. ![97B82FC4-A974-44A9-BAEC-5289DBDD09E8](https://key2xs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/97B82FC4-A974-44A9-BAEC-5289DBDD09E8.png?width=54&height=81&name=97B82FC4-A974-44A9-BAEC-5289DBDD09E8.png) **Key2XS keeps harbours safe by converging physical and digital access into one intelligent system.** It empowers CROs, CISOs, and harbour managers to minimize risks, meet compliance demands, and ensure the safe flow of goods and passengers through Europe’s most critical gateways.   ![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/1587550138006.jpeg)![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/img/niels-bakker.png)![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/1746630921693.jpeg)![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/1696359051569.jpeg) **Written by the Key2XS team** Key2XS is founder-run. Questions about this piece land with the people who built the platform. [Talk to us](https://key2xs.com/contact?hsLang=nl). ## Keep reading [![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/Key2XS_Healthcare.png) **Securing Healthcare Access: How Key2XS Strengthens Compliance and Operational Resilience**Oct 20, 2025](https://key2xs.com/news/securing-healthcare-access-how-key2xs-strengthens-compliance-and-operational-resilience?hsLang=nl) [![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/19294161_m.png) **Keeping Rotterdam’s Refineries Safe with Key2XS and Proving CER Compliance**Sep 08, 2025](https://key2xs.com/news/keeping-rotterdams-refineries-safe-with-key2xs-and-proving-cer-compliance?hsLang=nl) [![](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/IMG_0223.jpeg) **Enhancing Airport Security and Efficiency with Key2XS**Aug 25, 2025](https://key2xs.com/news/enhancing-airport-security-and-efficiency-with-key2xs?hsLang=nl) ## Govern the keys you already have See identity, policy and physical keys in one 30-minute demo, scoped to your estate. [Book a demo](https://key2xs.com/contact?hsLang=nl) [More in the journal](https://key2xs.com/news-archive?hsLang=nl) ### Contact us [Wilhelmina van Pruisenweg 104, 2595 AN Den Haag](https://maps.google.com/?q=Wilhelmina+van+Pruisenweg+104+Den+Haag) Kraanspoor 50, 1033 SE Amsterdam, The Netherlands [info@key2xs.com](mailto:info@key2xs.com) [+31(0)70 2045180](tel:+31(0)702045180) ### Platform - [Why Physical Access Governance?](https://key2xs.com/physical-access-governance?hsLang=nl) - [Product](https://key2xs.com/products?hsLang=nl) - [Integrations](https://key2xs.com/integrations?hsLang=nl) - [ROI calculator](https://key2xs.com/roi-calculator?hsLang=nl) ### Compliance - [CER Directive](https://key2xs.com/cer-directive?hsLang=nl) - [NIS2 Directive](https://key2xs.com/nis2-directive?hsLang=nl) - [EU Enforcement Tracker](https://key2xs.com/cer-tracker?hsLang=nl) ### Company - [SailPoint partnership](https://key2xs.com/sailpoint-partnership?hsLang=nl) - [Resource center](https://key2xs.com/resources?hsLang=nl) - [Events](https://key2xs.com/events?hsLang=nl) - [News](https://key2xs.com/news-archive?hsLang=nl) - [Contact](https://key2xs.com/contact?hsLang=nl) [![Penetration tested and verified by Sekurno](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/img/badges/sekurno-pentest-badge-white.svg)](https://www.sekurno.com/verified/key2xs) [![KuppingerCole Analysts Rising Star 2026 badge for Key2XS](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/img/badges/kuppingercole-rising-star-2026-key2xs.svg)](https://key2xs.com/analyst-recognition?hsLang=nl) --- ![Key2XS](https://key2xs.com/hubfs/img/logo-white-horizontal.svg) Key2XS, pronounced “key to access” © 2026 Key2XS B.V. 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