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What is Network Admission Control?
What is the purpose of network admission control?
The purpose of Network Admission Control (NAC) is to ensure that only compliant and authorized devices are allowed to access a network. NAC is a security solution that verifies the compliance status of endpoint devices, such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, before granting them access to a network.
NAC works by enforcing security policies that define the acceptable level of risk for a particular network. When a device attempts to connect to the network, NAC checks the device's compliance status, such as the presence of up-to-date antivirus software, the operating system version, and the security patches installed. If the device meets the security requirements, it is granted access to the network. Otherwise, it is denied access or given limited access until it meets the compliance standards.
The benefits of NAC include improved network security, reduced risk of malware infections, and increased visibility and control over endpoint devices. By implementing NAC, organizations can ensure that their networks are protected from unauthorized access, mitigate the risks of data breaches, and comply with regulatory requirements.
What are the benefits of network admission control?
The benefits of Network Admission Control (NAC) include:
- Improved network security: NAC ensures that only compliant and authorized devices are allowed to access the network, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security threats.
- Reduced risk of malware infections: NAC checks the compliance status of endpoint devices, such as the presence of up-to-date antivirus software and security patches, before allowing them to access the network, reducing the risk of malware infections.
- Increased visibility and control over endpoint devices: NAC provides organizations with visibility into the devices that are connected to their networks, including information about their compliance status and security posture. This enables organizations to identify and remediate security issues and enforce security policies more effectively.
- Compliance with regulatory requirements: NAC can help organizations comply with regulatory requirements, such as those related to data privacy and security, by enforcing security policies and ensuring that only authorized devices are allowed to access the network.
- Simplified network management: NAC can automate the process of checking and enforcing security policies, reducing the burden on IT staff and simplifying network management.
Overall, the benefits of NAC include improved network security, reduced risk of security incidents, increased compliance with regulatory requirements, and simplified network management.
How does network admission control improve network security?
Network Admission Control (NAC) improves network security by ensuring that only compliant and authorized devices are allowed to access the network. NAC achieves this by performing the following functions:
- Endpoint assessment: NAC checks the compliance status of endpoint devices, such as the presence of up-to-date antivirus software and security patches, before allowing them to access the network. This helps to ensure that devices connecting to the network meet the security standards established by the organization.
- Policy enforcement: NAC enforces security policies that define the acceptable level of risk for a particular network. For example, the policy may require that all devices have up-to-date antivirus software and security patches before they are allowed to access the network.
- Network segmentation: NAC can segment the network into different zones based on the security posture of the connected devices. This helps to isolate devices that do not meet the compliance standards and prevent them from accessing sensitive areas of the network.
- Access control: NAC can control access to the network based on the identity and role of the user and the device being used to connect. This helps to ensure that only authorized users and devices are allowed to access the network.
Overall, NAC improves network security by enforcing security policies, verifying the compliance status of endpoint devices, and controlling access to the network based on identity and role. This helps to reduce the risk of security incidents and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Is network admission control only offered from Cisco?
No, Network Admission Control (NAC) is not only offered by Cisco. While Cisco was one of the first vendors to offer NAC solutions, many other networking vendors and security vendors have also developed NAC solutions over the years. Some of the other vendors that offer NAC solutions include:
- Portnox
- Extreme Networks
- Juniper Networks
- Pulse Secure
- Symantec
- McAfee
- Fortinet
Each vendor's NAC solution may have different features and capabilities, but the overall goal is to ensure that only compliant and authorized devices are allowed to access the network. Organizations can evaluate different NAC solutions to determine which one best meets their security and compliance requirements.
