TACACS Gets the Axe as Super-Regional Everstream Opts for Krontech’s PAM Solution

The modernization and virtualization of enterprise networks include upgrades to the way next-generation networks are secured and managed. This has everything to do with the convergence of networks, clouds, applications and services in the context of increasing transmission of data and the need to secure data at rest and data in motion, including in a world where data is shared between systems with the proliferation of APIs and exchanges.

Everstream, a fast-growing, super-regional network service provider offering fiber-based Ethernet, Internet and data center solutions to businesses in the U.S. Midwest, and Krontech, an access control systems software company serving large communications services providers globally, announced recently Everstream is replacing their TACACS (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System) with Krontech’s Single Connect Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution for backbone, corporate, and customer devices.

As part of the Everstream and Krontech agreement, the companies will sell and integrate Krontech’s state-of-the-art Privileged Access Management solution, with software that provides effective reporting, transparency, and control, while simplifying daily operations, to Everstream’s customers.

“It goes without saying that network security is critical and something that we take very seriously,” said Brett Lindsey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Everstream. “With Krontech’s solution, the Everstream network now has additional layers of protection as well as access to timely reporting tools and data.”

Krontech’s Single Connect was created on a software platform that is purpose built for cloud-based, applications-driven networks. Designed to be an integral element of an operational platform, Single Connect protects against both internal and external threats.

“We’re proud to have been selected by Everstream, whose commitment to delivering secure private networking, Internet access and data center solutions we take very seriously,” said Osman Erkan, CEO of Krontech. “Together with Everstream’s network operations team, we will deploy Single Connect, a solution that helps simplify and reinforce privileged access account management in an efficient, reliable and cost-effective way.”

Utilizing advanced operations session management technology, Single Connect logs every session, as well as every keystroke, and verifies policy. Its preventive-based monitoring capability provides an additional level of access security, while enabling rigorous compliance.

While Everstream is not disclosing which TACACS vendor is being displaced, most likely it is Cisco. Cisco announced around a year ago that they are no longer supporting their TACACS solution. A statement on their website says:

“Cisco announces the end-of-sale and end-of-life dates for the Cisco Secure Access Control System. The last day to order the affected product(s) is August 30, 2017. Customers with active service contracts will continue to receive support from the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) as shown in Table 1 of the EoL bulletin. Table 1 describes the end-of-life milestones, definitions, and dates for the affected product(s). Table 2 lists the product part numbers affected by this announcement. For customers with active and paid service and support contracts, support will be available under the terms and conditions of customers’ service contract.”

Author: Shrey Fadia