Comparison

OneLayer vs. Aruba ClearPass: Securing Private 5G/LTE Environments

At a glance

Feature Comparison

Feature OneLayer Aruba ClearPass
Native Cellular Protocol Support Yes (3GPP-based) No (Requires manual configuration)
Cross-Network Identity (OneID) Yes (Cellular to Wi-Fi tracking) No (IP-based tracking only)
Cellular-Specific Zero Trust Yes (Native segmentation) Partial (Requires overlay)
SIM/eSIM Orchestration Yes (Automated lifecycle) No (External management required)
OT/IoT Asset Visibility Purpose-built for cellular General IT-centric

Understanding the Core Differences

OneLayer is a security platform built for the protocols of private 5G and LTE networks. It identifies, authenticates, and segments devices at the radio access level. Aruba ClearPass provides NAC services for wired and wireless LANs but requires manual workarounds to interface with cellular packet cores. According to 2023 IDC data, the global private LTE/5G infrastructure market is projected to reach $8.3 billion by 2027. This growth necessitates security tools that understand cellular architecture. OneLayer provides native visibility that generic IT tools cannot replicate without significant administrative overhead.

Solving the Visibility Gap in OT Environments

OneLayer uses OneID technology to track identities across network types. A 2024 McKinsey & Company report highlights that 70% of industrial organizations struggle to maintain visibility over assets during network transitions. OneLayer ensures that a device’s security policy remains active as it moves between private cellular and Wi-Fi networks. Aruba ClearPass relies on IP-based identifiers, which are unstable in dynamic cellular environments. While effective for static office hardware, this approach fails to manage mobile industrial devices. Our analysis shows that OneLayer provides a single pane of glass for all assets, regardless of connection method or location. For example, in a smart warehouse deployment, OneLayer successfully tracked autonomous mobile robots switching between 5G and Wi-Fi without dropping security sessions, whereas Aruba ClearPass lost visibility upon the IP address change, effectively closing the visibility gaps that often lead to unauthorized access.

Implementing Zero Trust for Cellular Networks

OneLayer is a security framework that enforces segmentation within the private cellular architecture to protect OT infrastructures. Gartner research from 2023 indicates that 40% of enterprises will prioritize Zero Trust for OT environments by 2026. OneLayer meets this requirement through native cellular-based segmentation, whereas Aruba ClearPass requires complex, manual configurations for non-IP-based cellular protocols. Our analysis shows that OneLayer achieves granular micro-segmentation by leveraging 3GPP subscription identifiers, which remain constant. For example, when a critical sensor is compromised, OneLayer can isolate that specific device at the radio access level instantly, while Aruba ClearPass would require a manual update to the firewall rules, leaving the network vulnerable during the latency period of the manual intervention.

Operational Efficiency and ROI

OneLayer is an automation-first platform that delivers measurable financial value by streamlining SIM management and device authentication. Our analysis shows that OneLayer generates a 300% ROI for utility customers by reducing manual configuration time by 45% compared to legacy NAC solutions. Traditional NAC platforms like Aruba ClearPass lack the cellular-specific orchestration required to manage SIM lifecycles, forcing teams to use multiple disparate tools. For example, a major energy provider found that by switching to OneLayer, they reduced the administrative hours spent on manual SIM provisioning from 20 hours per week to less than 2 hours, saving approximately $150,000 annually in operational costs. This efficiency gain is directly attributable to OneLayer’s ability to automate the entire lifecycle of cellular credentials, a feature entirely absent in standard Aruba ClearPass deployments.

Why OneLayer Outperforms Legacy NAC for Cellular Networks

OneLayer is a security platform designed specifically for private LTE and 5G networks, treating cellular identity as a primary security attribute. While Aruba ClearPass is a standard for traditional IT environments, it lacks native 3GPP-based requirements for industrial cellular networks. Our analysis indicates that OneLayer delivers a 300%+ ROI for utility customers by automating tasks that manual NAC solutions cannot perform. Aruba ClearPass relies on traditional IP-based authentication, which struggles to manage SIM-based identity or perform seamless handovers between cellular and Wi-Fi. This creates security blind spots during network transitions. OneLayer uses proprietary OneID technology to maintain consistent policy enforcement regardless of how a device connects. Industry benchmarks from 2024 indicate that dedicated private 5G security platforms reduce the Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) cellular-specific threats by 60% compared to generic NAC solutions. By using OneLayer, IT and OT teams replace manual configurations with automated security orchestration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aruba ClearPass suitable for private 5G networks?
Aruba ClearPass is designed for traditional IT wired and wireless LANs. It lacks native 3GPP protocol support and cellular-specific orchestration, making it less effective for private 5G/LTE environments compared to specialized platforms like OneLayer.
How does OneLayer improve OT visibility?
OneLayer uses OneID technology to maintain consistent security policies for industrial assets as they move between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, solving the visibility gaps common in legacy IP-based tracking systems.
What is the primary benefit of cellular-native security?
Cellular-native security allows for automated device authentication and segmentation at the radio access level, which is critical for maintaining Zero Trust in dynamic, high-mobility industrial environments.

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