In a world where cybersecurity threats evolve by the hour and IT environments stretch from on-prem to the cloud and beyond, securing access to critical network infrastructure is more important than ever. One of the most trusted and time-tested protocols for this purpose is TACACS+—Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus.
Originally developed by Cisco, TACACS+ has become a foundational element in network access control (NAC), especially for enterprise environments that demand fine-grained control over who can access network devices and what they can do once connected.
What Is TACACS+ and Why Should You Care?
TACACS+ is a protocol used for authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)—the core pillars of secure device access. Unlike RADIUS, which is more focused on end-user authentication (e.g., Wi-Fi, VPN), TACACS+ is designed specifically for administrative access to devices like routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers.
Key benefits of TACACS+ include:
- Granular Command Control: Allow or deny specific commands per user or group.
- Separate AAA Functions: Each function (authentication, authorization, accounting) is handled independently, making it easier to manage and troubleshoot.
- Encryption of Full Payloads: TACACS+ encrypts the entire payload, not just passwords like RADIUS does.
In short, TACACS+ gives network engineers and security teams a powerful tool to enforce least-privilege access and maintain accountability for every CLI command issued on critical systems.
Traditional TACACS+ Deployments: Still Useful, But Far from Ideal
Historically, TACACS+ servers have been deployed on-premises using tools like Cisco ACS/ISE or open-source implementations such as tac_plus. While these solutions get the job done, they come with common challenges:
- Hardware and maintenance overhead
- Limited scalability
- Complex configuration and policy management
- Lack of integration with modern identity providers
For small teams or legacy environments, this might still work. But as organizations scale, adopt remote work models, and modernize their tech stack, the old way of doing TACACS+ starts to break down.
Enter Portnox Cloud TACACS+: Modern Security Without the Mess
Portnox Cloud TACACS+ is a cloud-native solution designed to eliminate the complexity of traditional TACACS+ deployments while preserving (and enhancing) its security benefits.
Here’s why Portnox Cloud stands out:
- No On-Prem Hardware Needed: Deploy instantly from the cloud—no servers, no maintenance.
- Seamless Identity Integration: Connect with Azure AD, Okta, and other cloud identity providers for centralized access control.
- Built-In Visibility and Reporting: Easily audit who did what, when, and where—without digging through logs.
- Intuitive Policy Management: Configure command-level authorization through a user-friendly interface, not endless config files.
- Scalable for Any Environment: Whether you’re managing five locations or fifty, Portnox scales with your needs.
Cloud-native TACACS+ means fewer headaches, faster deployments, and security that aligns with the way networks are actually built today.
TACACS+ Is Here to Stay—But It’s Time to Modernize
The need to secure administrative access to network devices isn’t going away—it’s growing. With more devices, more remote admins, and more sophisticated threats, relying on outdated, on-prem TACACS+ infrastructure just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Whether you’re replacing legacy systems or looking to implement TACACS+ for the first time, Portnox Cloud TACACS+ gives you all the power of traditional TACACS+—with none of the baggage.
TACACS+ remains one of the most reliable and secure methods for controlling access to critical infrastructure. But the future of network security is in the cloud. With Portnox Cloud TACACS+, you get the best of both worlds: proven security, modern flexibility, and zero maintenance.