Secure identities enable trusted processes and protect critical resources.
Electronic identities stand for people embedded in processes in their working environment. To ensure that these processes are trustworthy and that resources are protected against misuse, the acting parties must be identified beyond doubt. Who accesses which data when and based on which privileges?
Identity and Access Management comprises the components for managing identity information, its integration across different systems and directories and authentication and even monitoring of access: AAAA - authentication, authorization, administration, auditing.
Siemens offers all components one-stop shopping:

• Identity and Access Management
  In the entitlement process, Identity and Access Management provides the steps authorization, audit and administration.

• Smart Card Solutions
  Smart cards enable access to information, workflows and other resources – in other words the authentication for identifying a person.