IT/OT Identity Convergence for Aviation Simulation Leader
How CriticalMatrix unified identity management across corporate IT and mission-critical simulation environments, eliminating security gaps while enabling operational efficiency.
Key Results
- Unified identity in 90 days
- 80% reduction in privileged paths
- IR playbooks tested and validated
- Board-ready risk dashboards
The Challenge
Situation
A leading simulation company operated separate identity systems for corporate IT and operational simulation environments. This created security gaps, operational inefficiency, and compliance uncertainty. The company supports 24/7 simulation operations for aviation training with strict safety certification requirements.
Operational Constraints
- 24/7 simulation operations with zero tolerance for downtime
- Safety certification requirements from aviation regulators
- Legacy OT systems with limited integration capability
- Multiple facilities across different time zones
What Was Breaking
Privileged paths existed between IT and OT networks that could be exploited by attackers. Service accounts running simulation systems were unmonitored and undocumented. Incident response was fragmented across domains—when issues arose, coordination took hours rather than minutes. The board had no visibility into actual security posture.
Before & After Comparison
Before CriticalMatrix
Unmonitored paths between IT and OT
Separate, unintegrated systems
Average time to coordinate response
Accounts with documented ownership
After CriticalMatrix
80% reduction achieved
Unified Entra ID fabric
Coordinated response capability
Full inventory and ownership
The Solution
Phase 1: Discovery & Architecture (Weeks 1-3)
CriticalMatrix conducted comprehensive identity discovery across IT and OT environments. We mapped all privileged access paths, documented service account ownership, and identified integration points between domains.
Phase 2: Identity Fabric Implementation (Weeks 4-8)
Implemented Microsoft Entra ID as the unified identity fabric with Semperis providing AD resilience and recovery capability. Established governed access paths between IT and OT while maintaining segmentation.
Phase 3: Detection & Response (Weeks 9-12)
Deployed Microsoft Defender for Identity across both domains. Established unified incident response playbooks tested through tabletop exercises. Delivered board-ready risk dashboards providing visibility into security posture.
Tools & Technologies
Microsoft Entra ID
Unified identity management across IT and OT environments with Conditional Access policies governing privileged access.
Semperis
Active Directory Forest Recovery capability ensuring identity resilience and rapid recovery from potential attacks.
Microsoft Defender for Identity
Identity threat detection across both domains with integrated incident response and investigation capabilities.
"CriticalMatrix understood that we couldn't compromise operational availability while implementing security controls. Their phased approach gave us confidence throughout the transformation."
— Chief Information Security Officer
Facing Similar Challenges?
Let's discuss how CriticalMatrix can help unify your identity management across IT and OT environments.