Authentication

How secure are digital certificates? What are digital certificates? Digital certificates, also known as SSL certificates or TLS certificates, are electronic documents that are used to verify the identity of a website or organization. These certificates are issued by trusted third-party organizations called Certificate Authorities (CAs) and are used to encrypt information sent between a…

What is the AAA model? The AAA model, which stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, is a three-pronged framework used to control access to network resources, enforce access policies, and monitor user activity within a network.  This model is integral to robust network security playing a crucial role in determining who can access the network,…

What’s the best Wi-Fi authentication method? The best Wi-Fi authentication method depends on the specific needs and security requirements of the organization or individual using the Wi-Fi network. There are several different authentication methods available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some common Wi-Fi authentication methods and their characteristics: WPA2-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected…

What is an 802.1X supplicant? An 802.1X supplicant is a client device or software that provides authentication credentials to an 802.1X enabled network. In other words, it is a device that is trying to connect to a secure network that requires authentication.  802.1X is a security protocol used in wired and wireless networks to control…

What is 802.1X and EAP? 802.1X is a network access control protocol used to authenticate and authorize devices trying to connect to a network. It works by requiring a user or device to provide valid credentials, such as a username and password or a digital certificate, before allowing access to the network. EAP (Extensible Authentication…

How do you setup a RADIUS server? Setting up a RADIUS server involves the following steps: Install a RADIUS server software: Choose a RADIUS server software such as Portnox RADIUS that supports various operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS. Install the software on the server where you want to run the RADIUS server. Configure…

What is RADIUS authentication? RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a client/server protocol used for authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) of remote network access. It was originally developed for dial-up network connections, but it has since been adapted for use with other types of network access such as Wi-Fi, VPNs, and even wired Ethernet…

How is device authentication done? Device authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a device to ensure that only authorized devices are allowed to access certain resources or perform specific actions. The authentication process typically involves the following steps: Identification: The device sends an identification request to the authentication server. This request includes…

What is AAA security? AAA security is a term that stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. These three components are critical to secure network access control, and they are often used together to ensure that only authorized users can access specific resources or services. Authentication refers to the process of verifying the identity of a…

What is MAC address filtering? MAC address filtering is a technique used in computer networking for allowing or denying network access to specific devices based on their unique MAC addresses. Each device that can connect to a network, such as a computer or smartphone, has a unique MAC address, much like a fingerprint. This address…

What is public key cryptography? Public key cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography, is a cryptographic method that uses a pair of mathematically related keys to secure the communication and transfer of data. It involves the use of two distinct keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is widely distributed and…

What is a MAC address? A MAC (Media Access Control) address, also known as a physical address or hardware address, is a unique identifier assigned to network interface controllers (NICs) by the manufacturer. It is a 48-bit address expressed in hexadecimal format and is typically represented as six sets of two-digit hexadecimal numbers separated by…