Aruba ClearPass – intelligently manage secure network access
What is Aruba ClearPass?
Aruba ClearPass is a comprehensive solution for controlling and securing network access. Whether employees, guests, or IoT devices, ClearPass enables context-based authentication and authorization for every connection. The platform is a central part of modern network security strategies.
Enterprise networks have long stopped being used only by company-owned devices. Smartphones, tablets, guest devices, and a growing number of IoT systems connect every day. A simple password solution is no longer enough for that. Aruba ClearPass offers powerful Network Access Control (NAC) that assesses every connection attempt individually: Who is the user? Which device is being used? What’s the device’s security status? Based on these factors, access rights are assigned dynamically and rule-based, automatically and without manual intervention by the IT team.
As part of the HPE Aruba portfolio, Aruba ClearPass integrates seamlessly into existing network infrastructures, whether they’re based entirely on Aruba components or made up of a multi-vendor environment. This openness makes Aruba ClearPass one of the most flexible NAC solutions on the market.
Aruban ClearPass goals and benefits
- Manage network access based on user roles, device types, and context
- Automated policy enforcement and access control
- Secure onboarding of BYOD and guest devices
- Integration with firewalls, SIEM, and MDM systems
- Central management of all authentication processes
Risks without Network Access Control using Aruba ClearPass
In modern enterprise networks, uncontrolled access is one of the biggest security risks. Employees bring private devices into the office, guests connect to the Wi-Fi, and IoT devices are admitted to the network without sufficient vetting. Without well-thought-out network access control like Aruba ClearPass, there’s no overview of who is actually active on the network, and that creates dangerous attack surfaces. Attackers deliberately exploit exactly these gaps to move laterally through the network, siphon off data, or compromise critical systems.
Uncontrolled access to sensitive data
Guests or unknown devices gain network access without vetting.
No transparency about connected devices
The IT department has no overview of all connected devices and their security status.
Lack of automation complicates IT security
Security policies have to be enforced manually, which is error-prone, time-consuming, and not scalable.
With Aruba ClearPass, these risks can be addressed in a targeted, lasting way. The solution enforces access rules automatically, detects anomalous behavior early, and prevents unauthorized devices from reaching critical network areas. The result is a clear, traceable security architecture that meets regulatory requirements like the GDPR and noticeably eases the load on IT teams.
Your Benefits with Aruba ClearPass from concentrade
Introducing Aruba ClearPass isn’t a purely technical project but a strategic decision for more security, control, and efficiency in network operations. concentrade supports you with experience from numerous projects across different industries and company sizes.
Our experts know the typical pitfalls of a NAC rollout and make sure ClearPass runs stably from the start, is configured securely, and is operated to fit your requirements precisely.
- Tailored implementation by experienced experts
- Integration into existing network infrastructure (e.g., with Aruba or Cisco components)
- Automated network access control for all user groups
- Compliance and GDPR-compliant access solutions
- Long-term support for operations, updates, and policy maintenance
How concentrade implements Aruba Clear Pass successfully
Implementing Aruba ClearPass takes more than setting up software. It begins with a thorough understanding of your network structure, your user groups, and your security requirements. Our experts first analyze your existing infrastructure and work with you to develop an architecture that fits your specific environment, not a generic template.
In the next step, concentrade handles the technical implementation: from installing the Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager and creating individual access policies to integrating with existing systems like Active Directory, SIEM platforms, or MDM solutions. You can find out more about how we integrate identity and access management into complex environments in our dedicated service area.
Our Services at a Glance
- Analyze existing network structures and security requirements
- Planning and Architecture of the NAC Solution
- Technical Implementation of the Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager
- Creation of Custom Access Policies
- Integration in Identity Management Systems (e.g. Active Directory)
- Training your IT department for independent administration
- Ongoing support and development of security policies
Toward future-proof network control with Aruba ClearPass: your path with concentrade, from analysis to secure operation
Secure network access control doesn’t come about all at once but step by step, based on clear planning and a structured approach. concentrade guides you through a defined process that gives you transparency about the status of the implementation and the next steps at every point. The following overviews show you how the rollout of Aruba ClearPass works in practice and what concrete, lasting benefit you get from it in the end.
Secure network access control with concentrade in 5 steps
- Initial needs analysis and goal definition
- Technical planning of the NAC architecture
- Integration of Aruba ClearPass into your network
- Policy development and test operation
- Go-live and continuous support
What companies gain through Aruba ClearPass
The advantages for organizations of every size are wide-ranging:
- Protection against unauthorized access and internal threats
- Visibility and control over all network connections
- Automated enforcement of security policies
- Time and cost savings in IT operations
- Scalable solution for hybrid and complex networks
Why concentrade is the right partner for Aruba ClearPass
As an experienced IT service provider with a focus on network security, we offer you far more than just the technical implementation: we understand your business processes and create a sustainable, secure, and forward-looking network structure that grows with your requirements.
You benefit from a team that doesn’t just know Aruba ClearPass but has successfully rolled it out many times in practice, in mid-sized companies as well as complex enterprise environments. We don’t think in one-off projects but in long-term partnerships: access policies that work today have to grow with your business tomorrow, and concentrade makes sure Aruba ClearPass does exactly that.
FAQs
Which companies are suitable for Aruba ClearPass?
Aruba ClearPass is especially suited to mid-sized and large companies with heterogeneous networks that need to reliably secure different user groups, device types, and locations. Organizations in regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services, or public administration also benefit considerably from the solution, since ClearPass enables granular access controls that specifically support compliance requirements like the GDPR or industry-specific regulations. In general, the platform is relevant for any organization where uncontrolled network access represents a measurable security risk.
Is Aruba ClearPass only compatible with Aruba hardware?
No, Aruba ClearPass is designed to be vendor-agnostic and works in networks based on hardware from Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, or other providers too. Authentication runs via standard protocols like RADIUS and TACACS+, which are supported in nearly every network environment. This openness makes Aruba ClearPass especially attractive for companies with established, mixed-vendor infrastructures that want to introduce central access control without having to replace their existing hardware.
Does ClearPass support guest and BYOD access too?
Yes, Aruba ClearPass offers dedicated portals and workflows for the secure onboarding of guests, BYOD devices, and IoT endpoints. Guest users can request access independently through a customizable self-service portal, with access that’s time-limited and restricted to defined network areas. BYOD devices are checked for security compliance during onboarding, for example for operating system versions or the status of installed security software, before they’re granted appropriately tailored network access.
Does Aruba ClearPass support Zero Trust security approaches?
Yes, Aruba ClearPass is a central building block for implementing Zero Trust architectures. The core principle of Zero Trust, not automatically trusting any user or device but checking and granting every access on a context-based basis, is reflected directly in how ClearPass works. The solution continuously assesses user identity, device status, and network context and adjusts access rights dynamically. In combination with other security components like ZTNA or SIEM, Aruba ClearPass makes it possible to build a comprehensive Zero Trust framework that also meets the requirements of regulated industries.
