GPG Radius is a secure authentication system that combines GnuPG’s proven encryption with RADIUS’s scalable access control. It brings strong cryptographic identity into the same workflow that already governs VPNs, Wi‑Fi networks, and remote login services. No shared secrets. No weak passwords stored in a flat file. Every request is verified against a public key, and every key can be managed with the same discipline you apply to Git commits or code signing.
At its core, GPG Radius uses public key cryptography to authenticate users and systems. The RADIUS protocol handles session requests, authorization, and accounting, while GPG provides digital signatures to verify identity. When a client connects, the RADIUS server challenges it. The client signs the challenge using its private key, and the server validates it against the stored public key. This allows secure login without sending any sensitive credentials over the network.
Configuration is direct. Install GPG on your authentication server. Extend RADIUS with a plugin or script to call GPG for signature verification. Store each user’s public key in a trusted keyring. Map RADIUS accounts to these keys. Once set, keys can be rotated, revoked, or updated without service downtime. Logging stays clean and traceable because each authentication event ties back to a cryptographic identity.