Custom redirect portals are essential components of modern network access control strategies, allowing organizations to guide users to specific pages for authentication, onboarding, compliance checks, or policy acknowledgments. The ability to create clean, branded, and user-friendly redirect portals ensures smooth workflows and enhances security across the enterprise. In solutions like CISCO ISE Course, these redirect portals play a crucial role in delivering customized user experiences while enforcing access policies.
Redirect portals help organizations manage guest access, BYOD onboarding, posture checks, and device registrations with ease. This step-by-step guide explains how to create custom redirect portals—from planning and design to configuration and testing—to support a secure and seamless user journey.
What Is a Redirect Portal?
A redirect portal is a web page where users are automatically redirected when they attempt to access the network under certain conditions. Common use cases include:
- Guest Wi-Fi login
- BYOD enrollment
- Posture remediation
- Acceptable-use policy (AUP) confirmation
- Certificate installation or onboarding
Custom redirect portals allow administrators to tailor the look, flow, and content to match branding and organizational requirements.
Why Custom Redirect Portals Matter
Custom portals provide several benefits:
✔ Enhanced User Experience
Branded layouts, simple instructions, and intuitive flows make onboarding faster for users.
✔ Improved Network Security
Redirect portals ensure users receive the correct access level based on authentication, device type, or policy compliance.
✔ Policy Enforcement
Administrators can require AUP acceptance or policy acknowledgment before granting network access.
✔ Operational Efficiency
Self-service portals reduce the need for IT support during device onboarding or guest access.
Prerequisites for Creating Redirect Portals
Before creating a custom portal, ensure the following components are ready:
1. Certificates
Install valid CA-signed certificates to avoid browser trust warnings during redirection.
2. Network Device Configuration
Switches, wireless controllers, and access points must support:
- URL redirection
- AAA integration
- 802.1X or MAB workflows
3. Identity Sources
Integrate external directories such as:
- Active Directory
- LDAP
- Internal ISE database
4. Portal Themes and Branding Elements
Prepare corporate:
- Logos
- Color palettes
- Fonts
- HTML/CSS (optional for customization)
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Custom Redirect Portals
Step 1: Access the Portal Configuration Menu
In Cisco ISE, go to:
Work Centers → Guest Access → Portals & Components
Here, you can choose the type of portal you want to customize, such as:
- Guest portals
- BYOD portals
- Hotspot portals
- Posture remediation portals
Step 2: Choose the Portal Type
Select the appropriate portal based on your use case.
For example:
- For visitor Wi-Fi → Guest Portal
- For employee device registration → BYOD Portal
- For security validation → Posture Portal
Each portal type includes different default workflows tailored for specific authentication scenarios.
Step 3: Customize Portal Look and Branding
Go to the Portal Page Customization section to modify design elements.
You can customize:
- Page titles
- Logos and background images
- Fonts and colors
- Footer and header sections
- Button styles
Cisco ISE allows:
- Pre-defined templates
- Advanced HTML uploads
- Inline CSS
- Multi-language customization
This ensures the portal aligns with brand guidelines.
Step 4: Configure Login and Authentication Settings
Depending on the portal type, configure:
- Login method (username/password, social login, guest sponsor approval)
- Authentication sources
- AUP acceptance options
- Multi-factor authentication (optional)
For guest portals, you may allow:
- Self-registration
- Sponsor-approved access
- Social media login (if enabled)
Step 5: Set Up Redirect and Authorization Policies
Redirects typically occur when the network device recognizes that the endpoint requires onboarding or authentication.
Define authorization rules under:
Policy → Authorization
Common conditions include:
- Endpoint not registered
- Unknown device type
- Non-compliant device
- Guest user role
Your rules should:
- Redirect the user to the custom portal
- Provide limited access during onboarding
- Grant full access after successful authentication
Step 6: Configure Portal Behavior Settings
Modify workflow behavior such as:
- Session timeout
- Failed authentication attempts
- Device registration limits
- Certificate installation steps
- Redirection URLs after login
Cisco ISE provides granular control to ensure a predictable and secure user experience.
Step 7: Test the Redirect Portal
Testing ensures all components work together.
Test scenarios should cover:
- Guest user connecting for the first time
- Employee onboarding a new device
- Posture-failed device being redirected for remediation
- Returning users with registered devices
Validate:
- Redirect accuracy
- Branding consistency
- Authentication flow
- Device onboarding success
- Certificate installation
- Final access level
Step 8: Monitor and Optimize
Use Cisco ISE dashboards and logs to track portal performance.
Monitor:
- Failed logins
- Redirection errors
- Successful authentications
- Device compliance patterns
These insights help refine policies and improve user experience.
Best Practices for Custom Redirect Portals
- Use public CA certificates for guest access
- Keep the portal interface simple and mobile-friendly
- Apply consistent branding for trust and clarity
- Regularly update AUP and compliance policies
- Limit onboarding steps to reduce user frustration
- Use profiling and posture assessment for higher security
Final Thoughts
Custom redirect portals make network access more secure, user-friendly, and efficient. They allow organizations to deliver branded experiences while enforcing essential security policies through automation and control. By following the steps outlined—designing, configuring, testing, and optimizing—you can build a custom redirect portal that enhances both usability and security on your network.
In conclusion, creating well-designed Cisco ISE Training, redirect portals helps organizations strengthen access control while delivering a seamless onboarding process for all users.
