Extensible Authentication Protocol-Transfer Layer Security (EAP-TLS) is considered the gold standard for network security. It allows digital certificates to be deployed on WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X authentication. EAP-TLS uses asymmetric cryptography to encrypt and decrypt messages and prevent unauthorized access to data.
EAP-TLS also uses mutual server-client certificate validation. This means the client and the server need a valid certificate for successful authentication, reducing the chances of a client connecting to a malicious server.
How Does EAP-TLS Authentication Work?
EAP-TLS creates secure key sessions for a client and server to facilitate a secure connection. These are the steps that help form a secure connection:
- The client requests a connection to the server via an access point to start the authentication process.
- The server starts with a “Server hello”. It presents its server certificate, public key, and other data, such as the domain name, issuing CA, CA signature, public key, and organization name. It then requests a client certificate.
- The client presents his certificate to the server. The certificate contains his public key and attributes that verify his identity. At this point, they mutually exchange their shared secret.
- The server checks and validates the client certificate, CRL, and the certificate chain of trust.
- The client checks and verifies the server certificate and produces a session key or set of keys to encrypt the session.
Now, the client and server use TLS for secure data transmission.
EAP-TLS ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted in a session, making it ideal for organizational settings and safer wi-fi and VPN sessions.
Benefits of EAP-TLS In A Network Environment
The main benefit of EAP-TLS is that it can deploy digital certificates to all network endpoints for better security. Digital certificates are difficult to steal or replicate as they are unique to each user and device, making them safer than passwords.
Other benefits include:
Robust Authentication Security
EAP-TLS provides unmatched security with an elaborate security mechanism powered by the Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). ECC mathematically creates additional security between public key pairs, making them difficult to crack. This makes the network resistant to eavesdropping, MITM, and brute force attacks.
Granular Network Access Control and Visibility
EAP-TLS uses digital certificates for end users and devices in a network. Digital certificates can be populated with unique attributes. They provide information like user name, device type, user role, access privilege, authorization history, and current condition, giving admins granular control over who accesses what in a network.
Enhanced User Experience
Users are not burdened with remembering passwords for their devices and applications daily. Eliminating passwords also reduces the chances of data theft and network compromise. Passwords also need frequent resets, which increase the chances of network disconnects, leading to productivity loss.
You can install a digital certificate on your device’s HSM and connect to a network automatically whenever you log in to your device.
How Does EAP-TLS Compare With Existing WPA Protocols?
WPA protocols like EAP/TTLS and PEAP-MSCHAPv2 are organizations’ most commonly used ones. However, they are not necessarily safe, as they use passwords only, which can leave your network vulnerable
EAP-TTLS uses clear text for all communication and can be deciphered easily, leading to MITM and brute force attacks. It does not support server-certificate validation, so data is likelier to be intercepted over-the-air.
PEAP-MSCHAPv2 is commonly used in Windows environments. It uses passwords for authentication that can be stolen and misused easily. It uses the MD4 hash for encryption that was declared obsolete, leaving your network at serious risk.
Leverage SecureW2’s PKI For EAP-TLS Authentication In WPA2-Enterprise For Robust Network Security
The JoinNow Platform is built with everything an organization needs to issue and manage certificates for EAP-TLS. We offer intuitive API gateways for managed devices that integrate with MDM platforms, issuing certificates through various protocols, including SCEP, Dynamic SCEP, ACME, and more. For unmanaged devices/BYODs, we have the industry’s top-rated self-service onboarding technology, JoinNow MultiOS.
Our Cloud RADIUS communicates directly with major IDPs and MDMs during authentication and provides network access for secure authentication. Click here to learn more about deploying secure passwordless solutions for your enterprise.
