Earlier this summer, Gartner released its Market Guide for Network Access Control, which provides an overview of the leading NAC tools available to enterprises around the world.
Network Access Control (NAC) sits within the larger field of cybersecurity, and more specifically network security. It is a technology that enables organizations to enact its own unique policy for how and when endpoints (desktops, laptops, smartphones, etc.) can connect to their corporate networks. NAC solutions are typically designed to allow IT security teams to gain visibility of each device trying to access its network, and specifically the type of device and access layer being used (i.e. wifi, wired ports, or VPN).
Today, NAC tools provides a number of powerful features on top of what it was originally designed for years ago. These include security posture assessments for endpoints, which pinpoints any associated endpoint risks, allowing network security administrators to control network access based on their organization’s risk tolerance threshold.
With the rise of cloud computing, remote workforces, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, and the internet of things (IoT), network access control has become a much more critical part of the larger cybersecurity technology stack at most companies. The technology itself has also evolved quite drastically in response to these emerging trends and their impact on networking and ensuring network security.
According to Gartner, “Most organizations interested in network access control (NAC) are looking to secure users’ and devices’ access to their network, driven primarily by audit findings or zero trust networking strategies such as those for comprehensive device visibility and LAN device authentication.”
If you’re interested in downloading the latest 2021 guide for NAC, visit Gartner’s website. You’ll find helpful information through the guide, including:
- Key considerations when evaluating and implementing NAC solutions
- The importance of integration between a NAC solution and existing infrastructure
- Recommendations on how to structure a NAC technical assessment