Client Overview & Business Challenge

A global biopharmaceutical company needed to tighten endpoint security and regulatory compliance across its wired and wireless networks. Inconsistent authentication methods, fragmented policy enforcement, and growing regulatory scrutiny were creating both security risks and audit challenges.

The client sought a centralized, policy-driven access control solution that would scale globally while aligning with compliance needs.

The Challenge: Fragmented Access and Regulatory Pressure

The clients current security infrastructure was creating problems like:

• Inconsistent authentication methods across sites and users
• Lack of centralized policy enforcement for devices and endpoints
• Rising regulatory and audit demands for secure access
• Integration issues with Active Directory (AD) and enterprise apps

AHEAD’s Approach: Deploying Aruba ClearPass NAC

AHEAD India deployed Aruba ClearPass with role-based NAC to unify authentication and access control across the client’s environment.

Key steps included:

• Designing and deploying a ClearPass cluster as the central NAC platform
• Piloting role-based NAC at headquarters before extending to labs and plants
• Implementing posture checks for endpoint compliance before granting access
• Integrating ClearPass with Active Directory for seamless SSO and policy enforcement

Results: Standardized, Secure Access

AHEAD was able to help the client:

• Roll out standardized NAC across HQ and initial sites
• Reduce unauthorized access attempts by ~30%
• Enhance compliance posture and improved audit readiness
• Deliver a scalable foundation for extending NAC globally

What’s Next: Expanding NAC to R&D and Manufacturing

The client is now extending NAC to R&D facilities and manufacturing plants, with plans to:

• Automate compliance enforcement across all endpoints
• Integrate NAC logs with the Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Build a globally consistent access control model for future growth