Key2XS B.V. Joins Security Delta (HSD) as a Premium Partner!

Key2XS B.V. has joined Security Delta (HSD) as a premium partner! The boundary between IT (‘logical’ access) and OT/facility security (‘physical’ access) is disappearing. To stay resilient, critical entities need one identity fabric that governs both domains with the same policies, telemetry and accountability. Key2XS sits at the center of this shift: it connects electronic key and cylinder systems with leading IAM platforms so you can govern real-world access with the same rigor you apply to systems and data.

After selling his previous company, CEO Reinier van der Drift initiated a project at the Province of North Holland, focusing on Identity and Access Management (IAM). This project served as the initial point of contact among the founders of Key2XS. Upon completion of the project, the Province of North Holland asked van der Drift to assist in procuring a new key system to manage access to critical infrastructure, such as street lighting, traffic lights, bridges, tunnels, and water pumps. It quickly became evident that managing access to physical infrastructure is conceptually similar to managing access to business applications, the difference being one is physical and the other digital.

Current regulations, including NIS2, now mandate that organisations ensure the right personnel have appropriate access to critical infrastructure. Rights management was cumbersome and typically handled by facility management, rather than IAM professionals. Observations at client sites highlighted the need for IAM to lead even in physical access scenarios. This insight led to the development of Key2XS’s solution and, eventually, the formal establishment of the company.

Ensuring safe access across physical and digital domains

Key2XS serves a well-defined client base, focusing on critical entities such as utilities, transport (road, air, maritime, rail), banks, and healthcare. The company’s work ensures that personnel gain access only to authorised areas and actions, often within OT environments and outdoor locations.

Operating across Europe, Key2XS aligns with the European Critical Entities Resilience Directive, which requires organisations to guarantee safe access, track entries, and revoke rights in emergencies. They integrate IAM solutions with major providers in the market, including ASSA ABLOY and iLOQ, centralising rights and access management. Typically, IAM responsibilities fall under the IT division, led by a CIO with oversight from a CISO.

Moreover, they bring specialised expertise in IAM, a critical aspect of security that ensures knowledge of who or what is entering and what they are allowed to do. While IAM is widely recognised in IT security, few parties focus on its physical application. They aim to bridge the gap between IT and OT access through its middleware, integrating IAM across both domains.

HSD Premium Partnership

Key2XS decided to join HSD as a premium partner to actively contribute to the ecosystem and collaborate with organisations that often have commercial roots in government, involving long-term investments. Key2XS was initially registered in Amsterdam, however the company sought to leverage the HSD ecosystem, leading to discussions in the summer and a move to the HSD Campus in October. A decade prior, the team had offices on the 8th floor of the HSD Campus, and they returned to that same location. The ecosystem remains a hub of like-minded national and international companies at similar growth stages, fostering brainstorming and collaboration.

Vincent Philipsen: "The partnership facilitates non-commercial access through joint projects, studies, and collaborations, while also establishing trust with clients already familiar with HSD. The added value of the Premium Partnership therefore lies in access to key stakeholders and opportunities for collaboration within the ecosystem."

Navigating technological risks and geopolitical uncertainty

Key2XS identifies technology and geopolitics as ongoing challenges in the cybersecurity domain. Emerging technologies such as quantum computing carry both potential benefits and risks, including the possibility of exploiting previously inaccessible data. Independent initiatives and knowledge-sharing clusters, though small in Europe, are increasingly important for addressing these challenges.

Collaborations and clients

As a small niche team, Key2XS collaborates with larger partners for large-scale execution. The company works with HSD, InnovationQuarter, and participates in trade missions, such as those to Sweden, connecting with European subsidy providers. Current projects include consortium work with international companies to develop AI modules linking identity to hardware, software, and user behavior for anomaly detection and action recommendations.

Ambitions: European expansion

Key2XS is focused on European expansion, providing software and services from the Netherlands to European clients. The company aims for growth across all 27 EU countries, plus the UK and Switzerland. European legislation requires precise tracking of physical access to critical infrastructure, and Key2XS’s solutions help organisations achieve compliance. Two major patent applications have been filed, one released in June, the second in September. Maintaining fully Dutch-developed software with a European focus remains a unique aspect of the company.

Key2XS emphasises enjoyment in its work, focusing on security, risk management, and solutions. Its international team, with members from France, Argentina, and Italy, creates a dynamic and challenging work environment for employees, partners, and clients. HSD provides a trusted setting that enables open, transparent discussions and confidence in sharing risks.