10 Cisco ISE Best Practices

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is a powerful network access control system that helps organizations secure their networks. It provides a comprehensive set of features to help organizations protect their networks from unauthorized access and malicious activities.

In this article, we will discuss 10 best practices for using Cisco ISE to ensure that your network is secure and compliant with industry standards. We will also discuss how to configure ISE to maximize its effectiveness and ensure that your network is protected from potential threats.

1. Use the Cisco ISE GUI for configuration

The Cisco ISE GUI is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easier for administrators to configure the system. It also provides a visual representation of the configuration, which can help identify any potential issues or conflicts before they become problems. Additionally, the GUI allows for quick changes to be made without having to manually edit text files or scripts. Finally, using the GUI ensures that all configurations are properly documented, allowing for easy troubleshooting in the future.

2. Deploy a dedicated administration node

A dedicated administration node ensures that the ISE system is not overloaded with administrative tasks. This helps to ensure that the system remains stable and secure, as well as providing a single point of access for all administrative activities. Additionally, it allows administrators to easily monitor and manage the system from one central location.

By deploying a dedicated administration node, organizations can also benefit from improved scalability and performance. The node will be able to handle more requests than a single server, allowing for faster response times and better overall performance. Finally, having a dedicated node makes it easier to troubleshoot any issues that may arise, as all logs and data are stored in one place.

3. Enable high availability (HA)

High availability ensures that your Cisco ISE deployment is always available and running. It also helps to ensure that any changes you make are replicated across all nodes in the cluster, so if one node fails, another can take over without interruption. This is especially important for organizations with large networks or those who rely heavily on their network infrastructure.

Enabling HA requires two or more physical servers, each of which must be configured correctly. You’ll need to configure a primary server and at least one secondary server, as well as set up replication between them. Once this is done, you can enable high availability and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your Cisco ISE deployment is secure and reliable.

4. Configure multiple network access devices (NADs)

Having multiple NADs allows you to segment your network into different zones, which can help protect sensitive data and systems from unauthorized access. It also helps ensure that only authorized users have access to the resources they need. Additionally, having multiple NADs makes it easier to troubleshoot any issues that may arise with your Cisco ISE system.

Finally, configuring multiple NADs is important for scalability. As your organization grows, you’ll be able to add more devices without needing to reconfigure your entire system. This will save time and money in the long run.

5. Implement role-based access control (RBAC)

RBAC is a security model that allows administrators to assign different levels of access to users based on their roles. This helps ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data and systems, while preventing unauthorized access.

RBAC also makes it easier for organizations to manage user accounts and permissions. By assigning specific roles to each user, admins can quickly grant or revoke access as needed without having to manually configure individual accounts. Additionally, RBAC ensures that all users have the appropriate level of access to perform their job duties.

6. Create and use authorization profiles

Authorization profiles are used to define the access rights of users on a network. They can be used to control what resources a user has access to, as well as how long they have access for.

Creating authorization profiles allows you to easily manage and control user access in an efficient manner. You can create different profiles for different types of users, such as guest users or privileged users. This makes it easier to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data or systems. Additionally, you can use authorization profiles to set expiration dates for user accounts, ensuring that users don’t remain logged in indefinitely.

7. Install and configure posture services

Posture services allow you to assess the security posture of a device before it is allowed access to your network. This helps ensure that only devices with up-to-date software and configurations are granted access, reducing the risk of malicious actors gaining access to your network.

To configure posture services, you’ll need to create a policy set that defines which types of devices should be assessed for compliance. You can also define what type of remediation action should be taken if a device fails the assessment. Finally, you’ll need to configure the posture service itself, including setting up the appropriate authentication protocols and configuring any necessary certificates.

8. Utilize profiling to identify endpoints

Profiling allows you to identify the type of device that is connecting to your network, as well as its operating system and other attributes. This information can then be used to create policies that are tailored to each endpoint’s specific needs.

For example, if a laptop connects to your network, you may want to apply different security settings than if a mobile phone were to connect. Profiling helps you do this by allowing you to quickly identify the type of device and apply the appropriate policy. Additionally, profiling can help you detect malicious activity on your network, such as unauthorized devices or suspicious traffic patterns.

9. Configure endpoint identity groups

Endpoint identity groups are used to group endpoints based on their attributes, such as device type, operating system, or user role. This allows you to apply different access policies for each group, which helps ensure that only authorized users have access to the network.

For example, if you want to restrict certain types of devices from accessing your network, you can create an endpoint identity group and configure a policy that denies access to those devices. You can also use endpoint identity groups to assign different levels of access to different user roles, such as administrators, guests, and contractors. By configuring endpoint identity groups, you can easily manage access control in Cisco ISE.

10. Monitor your deployment

Cisco ISE is a complex system that requires constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure it’s running optimally.

Monitoring your deployment helps you identify any potential issues before they become major problems, such as network outages or security breaches. It also allows you to quickly respond to changes in the environment, such as new devices being added or removed from the network.

Cisco ISE provides several tools for monitoring your deployment, including real-time dashboards, reports, alerts, and logs. These tools can help you stay on top of your Cisco ISE deployment and make sure it’s running smoothly.