Overview
This lecture covers TACACS Plus, its history, main functions in AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting), and its primary use cases, especially compared to RADIUS.
TACACS Plus Overview
- TACACS Plus stands for Terminal Access Controller Access Control System Plus.
- Developed by Cisco and released as an open standard in 1993.
- TACACS Plus replaced the original TACACS protocol (1984) and XTACACS (Cisco's proprietary extension).
- Mainly used for device administration AAA, not just network access.
Differences Between TACACS Plus and RADIUS
- TACACS Plus focuses on device administration, while RADIUS is used mainly for network access.
- Significant differences exist in authorization and accounting capabilities, not authentication.
- TACACS Plus separates the authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) processes.
- TACACS Plus is more suitable for securing high-value network infrastructure devices.
Use Cases and Importance
- TACACS Plus is important for organizations managing critical network devices.
- Implementation is recommended as organizations grow and security needs increase.
- Attacks often target network infrastructure, making strong AAA for device access crucial.
Key Terms & Definitions
- TACACS Plus — An AAA protocol from Cisco for device administration, focusing on authentication, authorization, and accounting.
- AAA — Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, the security framework for managing access to network resources.
- RADIUS — Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, another AAA protocol mainly used for network access.
- XTACACS — Cisco's extended version of TACACS, predecessor to TACACS Plus.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the differences between TACACS Plus and RADIUS for network device security.
- Consider whether TACACS Plus implementation is needed for your organization's infrastructure.