What is a User Directory?
A User Directory is a centralized database or system that stores and manages identity information, such as usernames, passwords, roles, and group memberships, for individuals authorized to access IT or OT resources. It serves as the authoritative source of identity for authentication, authorization, and access policy enforcement. Common user directory technologies include Active Directory (AD), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and cloud-based identity providers (IdPs) integrated via protocols like SAML or OpenID Connect.
Why is a User Directory Important?
User directories are foundational to identity and access management (IAM). They provide a single source of truth for who a user is, what they are allowed to do, and how they authenticate. In critical infrastructure environments, where access to sensitive OT and cyber-physical systems must be tightly controlled, user directories are essential for ensuring consistency, security, and compliance.
Without a user directory, organizations face fragmented access management, increased risk of privilege creep, and limited ability to enforce identity governance across distributed or hybrid environments. Directories enable integration with enterprise authentication systems, enforce role-based access controls (RBAC), and support regulatory requirements such as NERC CIP, IEC 62443, TSA SD02E, and NIS2, which mandate strong identity verification and access accountability.
Importantly, user directories also support scalability and automation, making it possible to onboard, update, and revoke access for employees, contractors, and vendors in a standardized, auditable way.
How Does Xona Help with User Directories?
Xona integrates seamlessly with a wide range of user directories, including Active Directory, LDAP, and SAML-based IdPs, to unify identity governance across both IT and OT environments. Instead of managing a separate user identity database, Xona acts as an access gateway, validating users against your existing directory infrastructure and enforcing access policies based on roles, groups, and attributes.
For organizations that don’t have or prefer not to integrate external directories, Xona also includes a built-in local user directory. This allows administrators to manage users directly within the Xona Gateway, providing flexibility for smaller deployments, air-gapped environments, or rapid enablement of third-party users.
This dual approach gives customers the option to integrate with enterprise identity systems or use Xona’s internal directory based on their operational and security needs. Whether you're supporting internal operators or remote OEMs, Xona ensures that all access is identity-driven, policy-enforced, and compliant with critical infrastructure mandates.
By extending your identity ecosystem or providing a secure alternative, Xona bridges the gap between enterprise IAM and operational access control without exposing sensitive systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary role of a user directory in access control systems?
A user directory stores identity data and access attributes, serving as the authoritative source for authenticating users and enforcing access policies across IT and OT systems.
What are common types of user directory technologies?
Common user directories include Microsoft Active Directory (AD), LDAP-based directories, and cloud identity providers that use SAML or OpenID Connect protocols for identity federation.
How do user directories support compliance in critical infrastructure?
Can multiple user directories be used in a hybrid IT/OT environment?
How does Xona integrate with external user directories?
Xona connects to external directories like AD, LDAP, and SAML IdPs to authenticate users and apply access controls based on roles, groups, or attributes without duplicating identity data.
