The Challenge
Processing online payments across continents demands an authentication model that matches the regulatory complexity of the operation. A global online payments provider processes transactions for merchants in high-growth markets across southeast and central Asia and Europe. With employees distributed across multiple continents and dozens of offices and data centers, password-based network access created risk at every location.
PCI DSS compliance requires strict network access controls for any organization handling cardholder data. Password-based authentication introduces risk that regulators and auditors scrutinize during every assessment cycle. Each region also presented different network infrastructure and connectivity constraints, making a cloud-native solution the only viable path. On-premises RADIUS servers were not a realistic option.
The Solution
The firm’s technology partner recommended SecureW2 based on its experience with the platform. The technology partner began the JoinNow Platform deployment across the firm’s device fleet. Certificate-based authentication replaced password-based network access, tying each device to a unique cryptographic identity that satisfies PCI DSS network segmentation and access control requirements.
Cloud RADIUS provides trusted, managed Wi-Fi security for the client, without any physical infrastructure, reducing overhead and allowing for greater flexibility. Over multiple years, the deployment has seamlessly adapted to the company’s evolving needs, with licensed device count changing to reflect actual device enrollment.
The Results
- Nearly 1000 devices secured: certificate-based authentication implemented across global payments operations
- No on-prem hardware: Cloud RADIUS handles all authentication and authorization needs remotely
- Deliberate license optimization: the company monitors utilization reports and adjusts annually to match actual usage