How a NAC solution works?

When you adopt a network access control solution, the first thing it will do is find all devices currently accessing the system; identify what kind of device they are; and determine whether to validate them and how to treat them using preestablished protocols designed by the company’s security personnel. A network access control system has rules related to a wide spectrum of devices, along with finely grained settings to help you determine permissions. A unified administrative system houses these rules and applies them as needed.

Many companies will utilize NAC as their staff grows and they have an increasing number of devices to manage. These solutions are also helpful for achieving data protection across a variety of different branch locations. The difficulty of securing an organization and managing access has become especially overwhelming in an era when widespread incorporation of IOT devices is becoming more common throughout business; NAC is the fix. The general issue with bring your own device (BYOD), though, is what drew many businesses to this service.

How to Choose a Network Access Control Solution

To help narrow down your search for NAC products, you should first focus on tools that offer native integration with your enterprise’s existing software. You don’t want to have to change your infrastructure or network design in order to bring the NAC solution online. If you are heavily dependent on a cloud architecture, then look for solutions that are fully supported by your hosting provider.

Next, think about what kind of proactive tools come included with the NAC suite. Some vendors offer all-in-one packages that feature a full virus scanning utility and firewall mechanism alongside everything else in the NAC. If your IT security strategy is not very mature, this kind of suite may be very helpful.

Of course, one key factor when looking at NAC options is the price point. Some vendors will sell their products at a flat rate, while others are quickly going the route of Software as a Service (SaaS) subscription, an increasingly-popular business model that requires a monthly payment and ongoing contract. Think about the state of your IT budget while remembering that the upfront investment could save you lots of money down the road.