Introduction: Why Network Security Needs to Evolve
The modern enterprise network looks nothing like it did a decade ago. Today’s IT teams face an explosion of connected devices—from employee laptops and smartphones to IoT sensors, smart TVs, and even medical equipment in hospitals. Add to this the growing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend, remote work, and third-party contractor access, and the challenge becomes clear: how do you secure your network without slowing down productivity?
Traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer enough. Once a device connects, it can freely move across the network, creating opportunities for attackers. This is where Network Access Control (NAC) comes into play. NAC ensures that only authorized users and compliant devices can access your systems. Among the most advanced NAC platforms available today is Aruba ClearPass, designed to bring visibility, control, and security across modern, complex enterprise environments.
This blog will serve as a beginner’s guide to Aruba ClearPass and how it can transform your network security strategy.
What Is Network Access Control (NAC)?
At its core, Network Access Control (NAC) is a security framework that regulates who and what can connect to an organization’s network. NAC policies are typically based on:
- User identity (employee, contractor, student, guest, etc.)
- Device type (laptop, smartphone, IoT sensor, printer, etc.)
- Security posture (antivirus, OS patching, encryption enabled, etc.)
- Location and method of connection (wired, wireless, VPN)
With NAC, IT teams can enforce identity-based access policies. For example, a nurse’s tablet in a hospital can access patient records, while a guest’s smartphone only gets internet access. If a device is found to be non-compliant or potentially risky, NAC can restrict its access or quarantine it until it meets security requirements.
In today’s environment of constant cyber threats and compliance requirements, NAC is not optional—it’s essential.
What Is Aruba ClearPass?
Aruba ClearPass, developed by Aruba Networks (a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company), is a leading NAC and policy management solution. It goes beyond traditional NAC platforms by providing visibility, secure access control, and policy enforcement for users and devices across wired, wireless, and VPN connections.
Unlike some vendor-specific solutions, Aruba ClearPass is vendor-agnostic. This means it can integrate with a wide variety of networking and security technologies—not just Aruba’s own wireless access points or switches. This flexibility makes it a preferred choice for organizations running multi-vendor networks.
In short, ClearPass answers three key security questions for enterprises:
- Who is on the network?
- What devices are they using?
- Are they authorized and compliant to be here?
Key Features of Aruba ClearPass
1. Device Profiling and Visibility
- Automatically discovers and identifies every device on the network.
- Uses fingerprinting techniques to classify devices: laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, IoT sensors, medical devices, etc.
- Provides a real-time inventory of devices, including unmanaged and headless IoT devices.
2. Policy Enforcement
- Policies can be created based on role, device type, location, or time of access.
- Example: An employee laptop on campus gets access to corporate applications, while a contractor’s device only accesses a project-specific network segment.
3. Guest Access Management
- Provides secure, customizable guest Wi-Fi portals.
- Supports self-registration, sponsor approval, and SMS/email verification.
- Enables branding of guest login pages for professional presentation.
4. BYOD and Device Onboarding
- Enables employees to self-onboard personal devices.
- Automatically configures devices with the right security certificates and profiles.
- Ensures that devices comply with corporate policies before granting access.
5. Integration with Security Ecosystem
- Works with firewalls, SIEM tools, MDM/EMM solutions, and MFA platforms.
- Real-time threat response through partnerships with leading vendors (like Palo Alto Networks, Splunk, and Microsoft Intune).
6. Automated Threat Protection
- If a device is detected behaving suspiciously, ClearPass can automatically quarantine or block it.
- Security alerts can be shared with other systems for coordinated defense.
Why Businesses Need Aruba ClearPass
1. Zero Trust Security Implementation
ClearPass supports Zero Trust principles: never trust, always verify. Every access request is checked against policies, regardless of whether it’s from inside or outside the network.
2. Securing IoT Devices
IoT devices often lack built-in security. ClearPass provides device fingerprinting and role-based access to ensure IoT doesn’t become your weakest link.
3. Supporting BYOD and Remote Work
Employees and contractors expect to use their own devices. ClearPass makes onboarding seamless while maintaining security.
4. Compliance with Regulations
ClearPass helps organizations meet compliance mandates like HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, and ISO 27001 by ensuring only compliant devices can connect.
5. Multi-Vendor Flexibility
Unlike Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass is designed to integrate with heterogeneous environments, which is common in large enterprises.
How Aruba ClearPass Works
Device Connects – A user attempts to connect to the network via wired, wireless, or VPN.
Authentication – ClearPass validates the user/device identity using methods like Active Directory, RADIUS, certificates, or multi-factor authentication.
Policy Enforcement – ClearPass applies policies based on identity, device type, compliance posture, and role.
Access Granted or Restricted – Authorized devices receive the right level of access. Suspicious or non-compliant devices are quarantined or blocked.
ClearPass Use Cases Across Industries
- Healthcare: Protects sensitive patient data and secures medical IoT devices.
- Education: Provides simple guest/student onboarding and controls access based on roles.
- Finance: Ensures compliance with strict regulatory requirements and protects sensitive transactions.
- Government: Manages contractor and third-party access while maintaining strict policy enforcement.
- Retail: Enables secure guest Wi-Fi while separating it from internal POS systems.
Aruba ClearPass vs Traditional NAC
| Feature | Traditional NAC | Aruba ClearPass |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Support | Limited (single vendor) | Multi-vendor support |
| IoT Security | Weak | Strong profiling & role-based control |
| Guest Access | Basic captive portals | Customizable, self-service, branded portals |
| Automation | Minimal | Automated threat detection & response |
| Zero Trust | Partial support | Full Zero Trust implementation |
Learning Aruba ClearPass: Training & Certification
If you’re looking to gain hands-on expertise with Aruba ClearPass, HPE Aruba offers specialized training programs designed for IT professionals, security engineers, and network administrators.
- Aruba Networking ClearPass Configuration (CPC) Training
This course introduces you to the fundamentals of Aruba ClearPass, including policy design, guest access setup, device onboarding, and role-based enforcement. It’s ideal for IT professionals who are new to NAC and want to build a strong foundation in ClearPass configuration. - Aruba Networking ClearPass Advanced Configuration (CPAC) Training
Designed for experienced administrators, this advanced course dives into complex policy enforcement, integration with external security systems, automated threat response, and troubleshooting best practices. It’s perfect for those who want to master advanced ClearPass features and manage enterprise-scale deployments.
By completing these trainings, IT teams can ensure they not only understand ClearPass concepts but also have the practical skills to implement NAC policies effectively across their organization.
Getting Started with Aruba ClearPass
- Assess Your Environment
- Take an inventory of users, devices, and applications.
- Identify compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.).
- Define Access Policies
- Decide who gets what access: employees, contractors, guests, IoT devices.
- Start small (e.g., guest access) and expand gradually.
- Choose Deployment Options
- Aruba ClearPass is available as a physical appliance, virtual machine, or cloud-managed solution.
- Pilot and Scale
- Begin with a pilot project for guest access or BYOD.
- Gradually expand to cover full enterprise use cases.
Conclusion
In a world where the network perimeter has vanished, NAC is a critical security control. Aruba ClearPass goes beyond traditional NAC by providing real-time visibility, dynamic policy enforcement, and integration with broader security ecosystems.
Whether you’re a hospital securing IoT medical devices, a university managing student Wi-Fi, or a corporation enforcing Zero Trust principles, Aruba ClearPass provides the tools to balance security with seamless access.
If your organization is struggling with the challenges of BYOD, IoT, or compliance, Aruba ClearPass may be the missing piece in your security puzzle.
Key Takeaways
- NAC ensures only authorized and compliant users/devices access your network.
- Aruba ClearPass is a multi-vendor, advanced NAC solution designed for modern networks.
- Features include device profiling, guest access, BYOD onboarding, and automated threat protection.
- Ideal for industries like healthcare, finance, education, and government.
- A strong enabler of Zero Trust and compliance initiatives.
- Training options like CPC and CPAC help IT teams gain hands-on expertise.