The Challenge
A state port authority managing billions of dollars in cargo needed a secure solution for network access. Initially, the IT team had tried to install certificate-based authentication across a fleet of over 150 devices. But they kept hitting configuration issues, leading them to implement weaker authentication methods as a result.
Wi-Fi authentication vulnerabilities left valuable infrastructure exposed at the port. For a facility handling several billion tons of government-regulated cargo every year, it was important to close the security gap as soon as possible.
The team needed a cloud-based 802.1X authentication solution that was simple to implement and proven through a hands-on test. So, they turned to SecureW2 for help.
The Solution
The port authority tested the SecureW2 JoinNow Platform during a proof of concept period. This trial run covered certificate enrollment and 802.1X authentication for the port’s device fleet, and the IT team was able to validate that the configuration worked before making a commitment to purchase.
The SecureW2 team handled the initial deployment. They configured the security environment, which employs PKI and Cloud RADIUS, to match the port’s network architecture and also set up certificate enrollment profiles for the full device fleet.
The Results
The cloud-native architecture addressed the core deployment barriers that the port had encountered with earlier approaches. With the JoinNow Platform, there was no need to build on-premise RADIUS servers or manage complex certificate authority infrastructure in-house. SecureW2 now handles authentication as a managed service, taking the burden off the customer’s shoulders.
With our help, the port authority IT team:
- Achieved 802.1X Wi-Fi authentication after multiple failed attempts with other solutions and approaches
- Equipped 100+ devices with certificate-based Wi-Fi authentication across operations
- Eliminated the on-premises infrastructure complexity that had blocked earlier 802.1X efforts