Unmatched RADIUS Security

Key Takeaways

• RADIUS servers revolutionized authentication security by allowing unique credentials for each user, replacing insecure single-password systems and enhancing network protection.
• Traditional RADIUS servers have limitations, including poor integration with certain devices and limited support for diverse authentication methods. Cloud RADIUS offers better flexibility.
• SecureW2 Dynamic Cloud RADIUS enhances security by integrating with any infrastructure, enabling real-time updates to user permissions, and simplifying certificate-based authentication.

A RADIUS server is one of the most powerful authentication security tools available to an organization. It allows an organization to enforce stringent requirements to gain access to the secure network. 

But RADIUS servers have been in use for years and, in that time, many improvements have been made to the technology. By combining a RADIUS with different network environments, an organization can gain greater control over details such as who is allowed access, how they are authenticated, and the speed at which they’re able to authenticate. 

This article explains:

• How RADIUS security works
• The limitations of certain RADIUS servers
• The advantages of using the RADIUS protocol on a network
• How RADIUS security supports overall network security

What Is RADIUS Security?

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a secure authentication protocol that protects networks from malicious actors.

RADIUS manages network access, validating user credentials before they can access the network, and managing user access. RADIUS also logs session data to facilitate audits and troubleshooting.

RADIUS is widely used in enterprise networks. Paired with Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) or EAP-TLS (Transport Layer Security), RADIUS can deliver highly secure, certificate-based authentication to safeguard networks.

This video goes into more detail about how RADIUS security works.

How RADIUS Revolutionized Authentication Security

Before the widespread use of RADIUS servers, authentication within an organization primarily involved one wireless network password for the entire organization. This single password would be distributed throughout the organization for any user to gain network access. 

Obviously, this is very poor authentication security. If an attacker really wanted network access, they would have little trouble gaining access. They could pose as a guest, contact an organization member, or attempt to brute force through the single authentication barrier.

The addition of a RADIUS server allowed each network user to have credentials unique to them. Their identity could be stored in a directory that could be referenced by the RADIUS when they attempted to be authenticated.

This made it much more difficult for attackers to gain network access. Additionally, the network could be configured to use that set of credentials to authenticate a variety of other applications, provided the organization operates on some form of SSO system. 

What Are the Advantages of Using RADIUS?

RADIUS replaces shared secrets with unique user credentials or digital certificates, for an added layer of protection against attack.

The protocol also centralizes the processes of authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA), streamlining access management and making it easier for organizations to update and enforce their network policies.

RADIUS logs session data, which eases the regulatory process and provides a centralized record of user access for tracking resource use.

Limitations of Various RADIUS Servers

As with any piece of technology, different RADIUS servers developed by different vendors have a variance of capabilities.

Based on what your organization values most, different RADIUS servers will be most appealing. Below we’ve compiled some of the most common attributes looked for when employing a RADIUS server.

Integration

Not all RADIUS servers integrate across the board with every type of network infrastructure and device. The technology landscape continues to grow more complex and diverse with countless different vendors and device variations.

RADIUS servers such as NPS from Microsoft often struggle with authenticating Apple products and require add-ons to make the authentication process operate correctly. 

Authentication Capabilities

There are many different services that an organization might want to give users access to. VPN, Wi-Fi networks, Web Applications/SSO, and SSL Inspection are just some of the uses you might find for RADIUS on your network.

RADIUS Onboarding

One of the most important factors to consider in networking is how you will onboard users to the secure network. This process isn’t as simple as it may seem.

People have more devices than ever and often will request secure network access for more than one device. How will they be added to the network and managed over time in the most efficient way possible? An effective onboarding software and a detailed strategy are necessary.

Authentication Methods and Protocols

Depending on the network setup within your organization, your RADIUS will have different capabilities when it comes to the authentication event.

Users can authenticate using credentials, OTP, biometrics, digital certificates, etc., if supported by the RADIUS. You can also employ different authentication protocols (EAP-TLS, PEAP-MSCHAPv2) with varying levels of security depending on the chosen RADIUS server.

Cloud vs. On-Site RADIUS

As more technology moves to the cloud, RADIUS servers have followed suit.

We have extensively contrasted the attributes of cloud vs. on-site RADIUS servers, but suffice to say they differ drastically in a number of areas. Each has their place in networking based on an organization’s existing infrastructure and network capability.

Move Beyond On-Premises RADIUS With a Cloud-Native Authentication Stack

On-premises RADIUS servers carry hefty maintenance costs and an increased risk of hardware failure.

Our Cloud RADIUS eliminates operational overhead while strengthening security. 

It authenticates users and devices using live security signals from your identity provider, MDM, and EDR/XDR platforms, so access decisions reflect current device posture, not a stale snapshot from last week’s sync.

The result is authentication that scales with the organization, not against it. Teams that have replaced legacy RADIUS with SecureW2 Cloud RADIUS consistently report faster authentication times, fewer outages, and best-in-class uptime, and the option for 99.999% availability. 

If your current RADIUS setup is creating friction for IT or leaving security gaps, there is a better path. See SecureW2 Cloud RADIUS in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does RADIUS work?

RADIUS provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting. When a supplicant attempts to connect to a network, the network access point requests the supplicant’s credentials. The access point then forwards the credentials to the RADIUS server, which verifies them against a database and sends the access point instructions about the supplicant’s access.

What does RADIUS stand for?

RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service.

Is RADIUS still used?

Yes, RADIUS is still widely used to secure networks. In fact, it remains one of the leading tools for securing enterprise networks.