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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Foundational

Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus (TACACS+)

Cisco-developed AAA protocol over TCP 49 that encrypts the full payload and separates authentication, authorization, and accounting.

Definition

TACACS+ is mainly used for device administration, allowing per-command authorization and detailed accounting of administrator actions on routers, switches, and firewalls. It encrypts the entire body of each packet. It is published as an informational RFC 8907.

Example

Network engineers log in to switches with their own accounts, and TACACS+ authorizes and logs every configuration command.

Exam tip

Choose TACACS+ for device administration and command authorization; RADIUS for network access.

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