How to Use Microsoft 365 Accounts to Authenticate to Wi-Fi

Keytos Team | January 10, 2026

How to Authenticate Microsoft 365 Accounts to Wi-Fi

One of the most common steps organizations take to secure their infrastructure is to stop using a shared Wi-Fi password and instead authenticate users with their Microsoft 365 accounts. This approach ensures that only authorized users can access the network and provides better tracking and auditing capabilities. But if you are in this boat, you are probably looking at your networking gear and cannot find a button that says “Authenticate with Microsoft 365.” So how do you actually set this up? Let’s explore the options.

Options for Authenticating Microsoft 365 Accounts to Wi-Fi

There are two main ways to authenticate Microsoft 365 user accounts when connecting to Wi-Fi - either certificates or usernames + passwords. Both will need a RADIUS server, either managed by you on-premises or managed centrally as a cloud RADIUS service. The main difference is the user experience:

1. If your devices are managed by an MDM such as Microsoft Intune or even a non-Microsoft MDM such as Jamf, you can configure Wi-Fi profiles that use certificate-based authentication. This method leverages the device’s identity or the user’s Microsoft 365 credentials to authenticate to the network without the user having to enter their credentials each time. This is the most seamless and secure method the user opens their laptop and magically connects to your Wi-Fi network. But it does not work for bring your own device (BYOD) scenarios where the device is not managed by your MDM. You would need to also enable password authentication for those devices or just create a guest network. Either way, what you don’t want is to have those pesky unmanaged devices in your corporate network.
2. If your devices are not managed by an MDM, you can use a cloud-based RADIUS service that integrates with Microsoft 365. This approach allows you to authenticate users with their Microsoft 365 credentials without requiring device management. The RADIUS service acts as a bridge between your Wi-Fi network and Microsoft 365, validating user credentials and granting access accordingly. This method is suitable for BYOD scenarios and provides a secure way to manage Wi-Fi access for all users.

Which Microsoft 365 Authentication Method Should You Choose for Wi-Fi Authentication?

The choice between certificate-based authentication via MDM and cloud-based RADIUS authentication depends on your organization’s device management strategy and user scenarios. If most of your devices are managed by an MDM, certificate-based authentication offers a seamless and highly secure experience. For environments with a significant number of BYOD devices or where device management is not feasible, a cloud-based RADIUS service provides a flexible and secure alternative. Ultimately, the best approach may involve a combination of both methods to accommodate different types of devices and user needs.

How To Setup Microsoft 365 Wi-Fi Authentication With Certificate-Based Authentication

Don’t be scared, while setting up certificate-based authentication might seem complex at first, it is actually quite straightforward if you are already using an MDM like Intune. Due to Easy to setup Cloud PKIs and Cloud RADIUS services that directly integrate with Microsoft 365, you can quickly issue certificates to your devices and configure Wi-Fi profiles that use these certificates for authentication. In the video below we set the whole thing up including Intune policies in less than 30 minutes!

How To Setup Microsoft 365 Wi-Fi Username and Password Authentication With Cloud-Based RADIUS

If you don’t have an MDM, you don’t have to panic, setting up Microsoft 365 Wi-Fi authentication with a cloud-based RADIUS service as easy as pie. This method allows you to authenticate users with their Microsoft 365 credentials without requiring device management. The RADIUS service acts as a bridge between your Wi-Fi network and Microsoft 365, validating user credentials and granting access accordingly. This approach is particularly useful for BYOD scenarios. However, due to RADIUS protocol restrictions, you cannot use multi-factor authentication (MFA) with this method. But you can still have your users authenticate using their username and password which is 1000 times better than using a shared Wi-Fi password that is passed around the office. Want to give it a try? Watch the video below and have Microsoft authentication for your Wi-Fi network up and running in less than 10 minutes!

Conclusion

No matter which authentication method you choose, Microsoft 365 provides flexible options for securing your Wi-Fi network. Certificate-based authentication via MDM offers a seamless and highly secure experience for managed devices, while cloud-based RADIUS authentication allows for easy integration with BYOD devices without requiring device management. If you still have questions or want to talk to one of our experts, about your specific scenario, we’re here to help.