# Merck Achieves Silent Security with Zero Trust Identity Fabric ![Woman in a lab coat writing notes beside a microscope](https://images.pingidentity.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_auto,c_scale/ping_dam/content/dam/picr/img/cs/h/Merck-Customer-Story-554x554.png) Challenge Merck’s legacy IT environment created training debt, where users needed specialized courses just to navigate complex, high-friction security hurdles to access vital systems. Results By implementing a context-aware Zero Trust architecture, Merck reduced manual effort by 90% and now assesses change proposals 70% faster. Objective Merck aimed to transition from an outdated castle and moat security model to a modern Zero Trust architecture. The primary goal was to secure sensitive intellectual property and GxP-regulated data while transforming identity into a competitive differentiator that delivers a superior, training-free user experience. Challenge Legacy tools were so complex they created a training failure barrier, risking lower adoption and the rise of shadow IT as scientists bypassed frustrating security gates. Furthermore, relying on static credentials made Merck vulnerable to phishing, while a lack of granular control risked non-compliance with global regulatory agencies. Solution Merck implemented a Zero Trust Identity Fabric by integrating the PingOne Platform with Amazon Verified Access (AVA). This solution uses PingFederate and PingOne as a centralized authentication authority and employs PingOne Protect to evaluate real-time contextual factors—such as geolocation and device reputation—before granting access. Results The transformation enabled a Silent Security model where friction is dynamically adjusted based on risk. Merck successfully eliminated the need for access training courses and achieved significant operational efficiencies, including a 90% reduction in manual effort and a 70% faster assessment of change proposals. If I have to have you take a training course so that you can use one of our tools, ultimately we failed. Lance Peterman IAM Architect, Merck ![Merck logo](https://www.pingidentity.com/content/dam/picr/logos/cs/st/Img-Logo-Merck-172x60.svg) Industry [Healthcare](https://www.pingidentity.com/en/industry/healthcare.html) Solutions Used [PingFederate](https://www.pingidentity.com/en/product/pingfederate.html) PingOne Platform [Contact Sales](https://www.pingidentity.com/en/company/contact-sales.html) --- - [![Share](https://www.pingidentity.com/etc.clientlibs/settings/wcm/designs/pds/clientlibs/assets/clientlibs-assets-svgs/resources/icons/socials/sharing/Ico-Social-Share.svg)](mailto:?subject=Check%20this%20out&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pingidentity.com%2Fen%2Fcustomer-stories%2F3510-merck.html) - [![X (Twitter)](https://www.pingidentity.com/etc.clientlibs/settings/wcm/designs/pds/clientlibs/assets/clientlibs-assets-svgs/resources/icons/socials/sharing/Ico-Social-Twitter.svg)](https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pingidentity.com%2Fen%2Fcustomer-stories%2F3510-merck.html&via=PingIdentity) - [![LinkedIn](https://www.pingidentity.com/etc.clientlibs/settings/wcm/designs/pds/clientlibs/assets/clientlibs-assets-svgs/resources/icons/socials/sharing/Ico-Social-LinkedIn.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pingidentity.com%2Fen%2Fcustomer-stories%2F3510-merck.html) - [![Facebook](https://www.pingidentity.com/etc.clientlibs/settings/wcm/designs/pds/clientlibs/assets/clientlibs-assets-svgs/resources/icons/socials/sharing/Ico-Social-Facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pingidentity.com%2Fen%2Fcustomer-stories%2F3510-merck.html) Related Customer Stories ![](https://images.pingidentity.com/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_auto,c_scale/ping_dam/content/dam/picr/img/cs/th/Img-BNZ-Bank-Thumbnail-677x370.png) ![](https://www.pingidentity.com/content/dam/picr/logos/cs/rcs/Img-Ping-Identity-Cybersolve-Related-152x40.svg) CyberSolve partners with Ping Identity to securely migrate a large-scale healthcare IAM system to the cloud—boosting security, scalability, and user experience. 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