How Aruba ClearPass Supports Zero Trust

Introduction: Why Zero Trust Needs Network Enforcement

Zero Trust is no longer a theoretical security model—it is a mandatory enterprise strategy driven by cloud adoption, remote work, BYOD, and regulatory pressure. However, Zero Trust principles alone do not secure a network unless they are actively enforced.

This is where Aruba Networks ClearPass plays a critical role.

Aruba ClearPass NAC acts as the network enforcement engine for Zero Trust by validating identity, verifying device posture, enforcing compliance posture, and dynamically controlling access across wired, wireless, and remote networks. Without NAC, Zero Trust remains an architectural concept. With ClearPass, it becomes operational.

Zero Trust in Practical Terms (Not Marketing)

At its core, Zero Trust is based on three principles:

• Never trust by default
• Always verify identity and device state
• Continuously enforce least-privilege access

Most Zero Trust discussions focus on identity providers and endpoint tools. What is often missing is how access is actually enforced on the network. Aruba ClearPass fills this gap by translating Zero Trust decisions into real-time network controls.

What Role Does Aruba ClearPass Play in Zero Trust?

Aruba ClearPass supports Zero Trust by acting as a Policy Decision Point (PDP) and coordinating with Policy Enforcement Points (PEPs) such as switches, wireless controllers, and VPN gateways.

ClearPass ensures that every connection attempt is evaluated dynamically, not just once at login.

Core Zero Trust Capabilities Enabled by ClearPass

1. Identity-Centric Network Access

ClearPass integrates with enterprise identity sources (Active Directory, Azure AD, LDAP) to ensure access is identity-driven, not location-based.

• Users are authenticated before network access
• Roles are assigned dynamically
• Access changes automatically when identity context changes

This aligns directly with Zero Trust's identity-first principle.

2. Device Profiling for Continuous Verification

Zero Trust requires knowing what is connecting, not just who.

ClearPass continuously profiles devices using:

• DHCP, RADIUS, SNMP
• Behavioral and traffic fingerprints
• Passive and active discovery techniques

This allows ClearPass to distinguish between:

• Corporate laptops
• Personal BYOD devices
• Printers, cameras, and IoT systems

Device profiling becomes the foundation for Zero Trust NAC enforcement.

3. Device Posture Check & Compliance Posture Enforcement

ClearPass performs device posture checks by integrating with endpoint security, MDM, and EDR platforms.

Examples of posture validation:

• OS version and patch level
• Antivirus and EDR status
• Disk encryption
• Jailbreak or root detection

Devices that fail posture checks are:

• Restricted
• Redirected for remediation
• Fully quarantined

This continuous compliance posture enforcement is a core Zero Trust requirement.

4. Least-Privilege Access via Dynamic Policies

ClearPass enforces Zero Trust by applying least-privilege access based on multiple attributes:

• User role
• Device type
• Location
• Time
• Risk posture

Instead of static VLANs, ClearPass uses dynamic role-based enforcement, ensuring access is always context-aware and minimal.

5. BYOD Access Control Without Trust Assumptions

BYOD is one of the hardest Zero Trust challenges.

ClearPass enables secure BYOD access control by:

• Separating corporate and personal devices
• Limiting access for unmanaged endpoints
• Applying posture-based restrictions
• Providing secure onboarding workflows

This ensures Zero Trust principles are upheld without breaking user productivity.

Aruba ClearPass and Zero Trust Architecture

ClearPass integrates seamlessly into broader Zero Trust architectures:

ClearPass effectively becomes the network enforcement layer in a Zero Trust ecosystem.

ClearPass NAC vs Traditional Network Controls

Traditional access models fail Zero Trust audits because they lack continuous verification and enforcement—both of which ClearPass delivers.

TACACS+ vs RADIUS in ClearPass Zero Trust Deployments

A frequent technical question is TACACS+ vs RADIUS.

• RADIUS is the backbone protocol for ClearPass NAC enforcement
• TACACS+ is typically used for network device administration

ClearPass primarily uses RADIUS to enforce Zero Trust access decisions at scale, while TACACS+ complements administrative security but does not replace NAC functionality.

Real-World Zero Trust Scenario Using ClearPass (Anonymized)

Challenge:
A regulated enterprise needed Zero Trust enforcement for contractors and BYOD devices.

ClearPass Implementation:

• Device profiling identified unmanaged endpoints
• Posture checks enforced compliance
• Access restricted to application-specific segments
• SOC gained full visibility via NAC logs

Outcome:

• Reduced attack surface significantly
• Improved audit readiness
• Established foundation for NACSOC operations

The organization moved from implicit trust to continuous verification.

Best Practices: Using ClearPass for Zero Trust

• Start with visibility-only mode
• Profile all devices before enforcing policies
• Separate identity logic from enforcement logic
• Define clear remediation paths
• Avoid VLAN sprawl—use roles
• Integrate ClearPass with SOC workflows

Getting Started: Zero Trust with Aruba ClearPass Checklist

1. Define Zero Trust access principles
2. Identify identity sources
3. Inventory network enforcement points
4. Enable device profiling
5. Define compliance posture requirements
6. Integrate endpoint security tools
7. Design BYOD workflows
8. Pilot with IT and security teams
9. Enable logging for SOC
10. Phase enforcement gradually
11. Train operations teams
12. Measure risk reduction
13. Document policies
14. Review posture rules regularly
15. Expand toward full NACSOC maturity

Resources & Pillar Pages

To deepen expertise and guide evaluation:

• Zero Trust Network Architecture Guide
• ClearPass NAC Architecture Deep Dive
• Device Posture & Compliance Explained
• BYOD Access Control with NAC
• NACSOC: NAC-Driven Security Operations

Recommended learning path:
Zero Trust Fundamentals → ClearPass NAC Architecture → Policy Design → Advanced NAC Security Operations

Final Takeaway

Zero Trust without enforcement is theory. Aruba ClearPass turns Zero Trust into operational reality by enforcing identity, device posture, and compliance posture at the network level.