{"id":57535,"date":"2022-09-05T14:41:12","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T06:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/?p=57535"},"modified":"2022-09-29T17:41:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T09:41:09","slug":"jumpclouds-cloud-radius-azure-ad-authentication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/version-2.com\/en\/2022\/09\/jumpclouds-cloud-radius-azure-ad-authentication\/","title":{"rendered":"JumpCloud\u2019s Cloud RADIUS & Azure AD Authentication"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As businesses continue returning to the office, more and more MSPs are being pressed to ensure that employees are able to return with minimal pain. Wi-Fi connectivity is often the very first issue that users will run into in a new office setting, so MSPs are finding that they must revisit how they handle the security of the wireless networks that they manage.\u00a0<\/p>

Common Wi-Fi Security Vulnerabilities<\/h2>

It\u2019s very likely that your customers have their Wi-Fi set up with a guest network for visitors to use and a pre-shared key that employees are given on the first day of their employment. However, this authentication method is only marginally better than having no password at all and is very dangerous if the Wi-Fi provides access to domain-associated resources.\u00a0<\/p>

Addressing Connection Concerns<\/h3>

Being that your customers\u2019 Wi-Fi keys are likely older than COVID-19, there has never been a better time to switch to a tried and tested solution: RADIUS<\/a>. With RADIUS configured, network authentication takes place against a directory that has been configured to allow a user\u2019s existing login credentials (username and password) to grant and revoke access to network resources.\u00a0<\/p>

RADIUS adds a much needed layer of security<\/a> between users and a Wi-Fi network, while also bringing added convenience to your customers\u2019 wireless networks. While RADIUS comes with a plethora of benefits, implementation can feel intimidating \u2014 but, it doesn\u2019t have to be!<\/p>

Using JumpCloud\u2019s Cloud RADIUS Feature<\/h3>

In order to set up RADIUS for a client, you will need a directory to use as the source of truth for user authentication, and JumpCloud has the perfect solution for you. Here at JumpCloud, we leverage our powerful open directory platform<\/a> to offer a high-quality, easy-to-use Cloud RADIUS<\/a> solution that our customers love, giving them cloud-directory-fueled authentication and MFA<\/a> to keep their networks secure and efficient.\u00a0<\/p>

  1. Utilizing the Full Functionality of JumpCloud Alone<\/li><\/ol>

    In addition to its Cloud RADIUS feature, implementing JumpCloud\u2019sopen directory platform opens the door to a variety of other important features such as SSO, MDM, software deployment, and policies to help manage your users and endpoints.\u00a0<\/p>

    In effect, with JumpCloud, you will not only be able to address your clients\u2019 immediate network security and user experience needs, but you\u2019ll also be able to position your services in a new way. You\u2019ll be able to offer current and potential customers a more forward-facing and expansive service using all of JumpCloud\u2019s capabilities \u2014 including helping clients consolidate their technology stack or adding much needed features into their IT infrastructure.<\/p>

    Now, I know what you\u2019re thinking: \u201cThat\u2019s great, but I am not in a position to migrate directory services. I simply want to deploy RADIUS to improve Wi-Fi and VPN authentication, and I already have customers using Azure Active Directory (AAD).\u201d<\/p>

    Well, I have some good news for you: you can leverage your existing Azure AD environments in harmony with JumpCloud thanks to our new feature: RADIUS Authentication with Azure AD Credentials<\/strong>.<\/p>

    1. Using JumpCloud\u2019s RADIUS Feature With Azure AD<\/li><\/ol>

      Surprisingly (or maybe ironically?) enough, the implementation of RADIUS with Azure AD is reliant upon on-prem resources, with physical servers needing to be allocated to perform the required tasks. JumpCloud is a strong proponent of equipping MSPs and IT professionals with world-class tools to get their jobs done effectively, which means we focus on creating solutions for problems like this.<\/p>

      This means that we\u2019ve made it so you can leverage JumpCloud\u2019s Cloud RADIUS feature while maintaining Azure AD as the source of truth for your directory needs, effectively giving you the best of both worlds, with no on-prem setup necessary. This means that your customers can enjoy secure networks while improving ease of access to networks among their credentialed employees. On that same note, what this means for you, is that you now have a cloud-based RADIUS solution that can be implemented for any of your customers without gutting their existing directories.<\/p>

      Getting Started With Cloud RADIUS<\/h2>

      Here are some guides to help you begin launching Cloud RADIUS across your MSP business and your clients\u2019 orgs.<\/p>