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“Let’s just choose the simplest, most secure authentication option,” is what most IT managers think when they’re trying to build the infrastructure from the ground up and get all the tools in the right place.
But when a breach hits, that simplicity often turns into a costly mistake.
As a small IT team building the plane while you’re flying it, you can’t overstate the need for secure, scalable network decisions like choosing RADIUS or TACACS+.
These authentication protocols form the backbone of access management, and the right choice can set the stage for a resilient IT future.
This guide breaks down their differences, benefits, and practical use cases. Ready to make the call that secures your network and keeps things running smoothly? Let’s go.
Understanding RADIUS vs. TACACS+
IT managers often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to network authentication. RADIUS and TACACS+ — which one is the perfect fit? After all, these are more than just acronyms. These protocols directly affect your infrastructure security, which is why you need to know what each brings to the table, before making the right choice for your setup.
Definition and Brief Overview of RADIUS
RADIUS keeps things simple and secure. It’s a protocol that checks user credentials and gives them access to the network, whether they’re connecting through Wi-Fi or a VPN. Who is it best for? Remote teams or IT managers who want one less thing to worry about thanks to centralized authentication in one spot.
Learn more about how RADIUS can improve Wi-Fi security.
Definition and Brief Overview of TACACS+
TACACS+ is the control center for authentication. It handles three key tasks that offer detailed insight into the system. These are:
- Authentication
- Authorization
- Accounting
Unlike RADIUS, it’s built for environments where knowing who’s doing what is nonnegotiable. If precision is your goal, you can’t go wrong with TACACS+.
Core Functions and Applications
Think of RADIUS as your go-to for remote access. It’s great for keeping remote teams or personal devices connected without a hitch. TACACS+, on the other hand, shines in high-security settings where every move needs to be monitored. Both are crucial in their own way. Choosing the right one? That’s where it gets interesting.
Major Differences Between RADIUS and TACACS+
The decision between RADIUS and TACACS+ can be chalked down to your understanding of the two, coupled with your needs. Naturally, there are strengths and limitations to both, and we have covered them for you just below so you can make an informed decision.
Authentication Techniques and Protocol Layers
RADIUS is perfect for most remote access scenarios, such as when you need to secure Wi-Fi or VPN connections. Why? Because it works at the application layer and handles user authentication and access management. You might require the help of multi-factor authentication to take the security up a notch.
On the other hand, TACACS+ goes deeper. As aforementioned, it provides deeper control with separate channels for authentication, authorization, and accounting. Since it operates on the transport layer, it can be a key resource in high-security environments.
Security Features: Encryption and Packet Transmission
When it comes to encryption, RADIUS focuses solely on the user’s passwords. It provides speed and simplicity but might not be the perfect fit for IT teams that want to check every box for sensitive systems.
TACACS+ takes the encryption a step further. How? By encrypting the entire packet. Think of this as an additional layer of security for data protection needs.
For a better understanding of how RADIUS fits into modern setups, check out our take on the overview of RADIUS-as-a-Service.
Accounting and Auditing Capabilities
RADIUS is ideal for straightforward, no-fluff accounting. It just gets the job done by logging user activity with maximum efficiency. No more guessing who’s accessing what.
TACACS+, as usual, goes even deeper. It adds details to the logs and provides a comprehensive view of all user activity. This makes it easier for teams to identify any potential misuse or track suspicious behavior.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using TACACS+
Just like any other security protocol with a huge upside, there are limitations to TACACS+. Let’s walk through where it shines and where you might hit a few bumps.
Benefits of TACACS+ in Network Security
If you want to have a microscopic lens on every little move that happens in your setup, TACACS+ is the microscope you want. It splits authentication, authorization, and accounting into separate tasks. What does that entail? You get more control and can customize user access down to the nitty-gritty details. This is basically a must-have for industries that require unobstructed oversight.
Limitations and Considerations
The primary knock against TACACS+ is that it requires a lot of effort to set up and manage. If you’re a part of a small IT team, this might feel like biting off more than you can chew. You want solutions that are relatively simpler to deploy and manage.
Use Cases in Modern Networks
TACACS+ is built for industries that live and breathe compliance, like healthcare or finance. It’s all about precision. Need to track who did what and when? That’s where TACACS+ steps up. If your team handles sensitive data, it’s the security net you want.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using RADIUS
We’ve seen what makes TACACS+ so special. Now, let’s have a look at why companies keep opting for RADIUS throughout the market. But like every tool in the box, it has its strengths and its quirks. And we will have a look at these RADIUS pros and cons below.
Benefits of RADIUS for Remote Access
Centralized authentication is the name of the game when it comes to RADIUS. It helps make remote access as easy as eating a pie since everything is in a single place. Small IT teams love having such a protocol that allows them to manage authentication for networks like Wi-Fi and VPNs from one place.
RADIUS makes life easier for IT teams. Everyone gets their own login, so there’s no need to deal with shared passwords. You can manage everything from one spot, which is a lifesaver for busy admins. It works great with VPNs and adds solid encryption to keep things locked down. The best part is you can plug it into your current system without breaking a sweat.
JumpCloud has introduced cloud-based RADIUS for IT teams that want to optimize their security and efficiency at the same time. Yes, all the power of RADIUS, and none of the server hassle. Another perk of RADIUS is that it grows as your team does. There’s no room for guesswork. You only get what you need.
Limitations and Considerations
RADIUS is unique as a security protocol, and so are its limitations. The good news? These can be addressed with pretty simple steps. Let’s have a look below:
- Encryption limits: First things first, RADIUS only encrypts passwords. Naturally, some data is left vulnerable. The easiest way to fix it is to couple RADIUS with multi-factor authentication (MFA). That’ll take care of any security worries you may have.
- Basic logging: Some organizations might require very detailed logging, which RADIUS is unfortunately unable to offer. However, you can supplement it with advanced logging tools to ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the comprehensive insights.
- Reliance on connectivity: RADIUS relies heavily on your server connectivity. Even a small downtime can incur heavy damages. What’s the fix? You simply opt for a cloud-based RADIUS solution to protect your setup.
Use Cases in Various Network Environments
Here’s an eye-catching stat for you: 83% of organizations that rely on remote work struggle with access management. This entails that they face twice as many security breaches. And as an IT manager, this is as worrisome as it gets.
This is where RADIUS comes in. Especially in hybrid workplaces, where one day the team is on-site, and the next, they’re at home, RADIUS helps with secure access management. You can say goodbye to the hours spent troubleshooting such issues.
Choosing Between RADIUS and TACACS+
When talking about security protocols, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your choice should depend on:
- Network needs
- Existing infrastructure
- Organizational goals
Let’s look at the factors that can help your decision.
Factors to Consider for Network Security Needs
Before anything else, ask yourself: What level of security does your network require? If you simply need to manage remote teams or hybrid workplaces and want a simple, centralized solution, then RADIUS is your answer.
If you want a detailed view of all the nitty-gritty and logs for tight oversight of your operations, TACACS+ might be the better fit, owing to the precision it brings.
Compatibility with Existing Systems
Compatibility with existing systems is something you can’t ever ignore when exploring security protocols. Switching protocols doesn’t entail that you have to start from scratch. Some of them, including RADIUS are pretty simple to add to your current setup since they integrate with most modern platforms. And cloud-based RADIUS is even better for IT unification since it grows as your team grows, so you never have to worry about scaling.
TACACS+, meanwhile, shines in environments built on Cisco systems. If your tools are already Cisco-heavy or you need fine-grained control, TACACS+ blends right in.
What IT Professionals Are Saying
Sometimes, the best advice comes from those who’ve been there. Here’s what IT pros are saying about RADIUS and TACACS+:
- On RADIUS simplicity: “If you already have AD and LDAP installed, it’s a good idea to use Windows NPS as a RADIUS server. Easy to install, easy to manage, and works well with 802.1x for added security.” — u/hundred_knight
- On RADIUS flexibility: “RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service. It was designed for AAA in subscriber services and handles remote access beautifully. It’s great for environments needing VLAN assignments and QoS profiles.” — u/ReK_
- On using both protocols: “We use TACACS+ for administrative access and FreeRADIUS for 802.1x. TACACS+ is a must for command-level control, while RADIUS makes sense for network-level authentication.” — u/dutsnekcirf
These insights showcase how IT managers leverage both protocols based on their needs, balancing simplicity, security, and scalability.
Making an Informed Decision
As the IT manager, now the ball is in your court. What do you think you need? The command-level control offered by the TACACS+ or the hassle-free network-level control by cloud-based RADIUS? Understanding your priorities will help you make the most informed decision for your team and setup.
JumpCloud has initiated guided simulations for you to explore the real-world applications tailored to your needs. Yes, there won’t be a need for an extensive setup.
Ready to take it further? Start your free trial today and experience the power of JumpCloud’s cloud-based solutions firsthand.
