Network Access Control (NAC) software is a security solution that manages and controls access to a network. It ensures that only authorized users and devices can connect to the network and that they meet certain security requirements.
NAC software works by authenticating users and devices, checking their compliance with security policies, and enforcing access controls based on this information. These tools are important for network security because they help prevent unauthorized access and protect against threats such as malware, viruses, and insider attacks.
By enforcing security policies and monitoring network activity, NAC software helps organizations maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their networks and data. It also provides visibility into network access and can help identify and respond to security incidents more effectively.
For cybersecurity professionals, NAC software streamlines the process of managing and securing network access, reducing the risk of human error and improving overall security posture. It enables them to enforce security policies consistently across the network, even as the network grows and changes.
Additionally, NAC software can integrate with other security tools and technologies, providing a layered approach to cybersecurity that enhances overall network defenses.
Network Access Control (NAC) software has evolved significantly since its inception.
Initially, NAC solutions focused primarily on endpoint security, aiming to ensure that devices connecting to the network were compliant with security policies. These early systems often used agent-based approaches to enforce security policies on endpoints.
Over time, NAC software has evolved to become more integrated and automated. Modern NAC solutions leverage technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN) and cloud computing to provide more dynamic and flexible network access control. They also incorporate advanced authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), and integrate with other security tools to provide a more holistic approach to network security.
Today, NAC software plays a crucial role in helping organizations secure their networks against a wide range of threats. It provides granular control over network access, allowing organizations to enforce security policies based on user roles, device types, and other factors. Additionally, modern NAC solutions can provide real-time visibility into network activity, helping organizations detect and respond to security incidents more effectively.
Best Network Access Control (NAC) Software: What To Look For
When choosing the best Network Access Control (NAC) software for an organization, several factors, features, and capabilities should be considered. These include:
- Authentication and Authorization: Look for NAC software that supports strong authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access the network. The software should also provide granular access controls based on user roles, device types, and other factors.
- Integration with Existing Infrastructure: Choose NAC software that integrates seamlessly with your existing network infrastructure, including switches, routers, and other security tools. This will help ensure a smooth implementation and operation of the NAC solution.
- Visibility and Monitoring: The NAC software should provide real-time visibility into network access and activity, allowing organizations to detect and respond to security incidents quickly. Look for features such as centralized logging, reporting, and alerting capabilities.
- Compliance Checking: Ensure that the NAC software supports compliance checking against industry standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA. The software should be able to enforce security policies and quarantine non-compliant devices automatically.
- Scalability: Choose a NAC solution that can scale to meet the needs of your organization, both in terms of the number of users and devices and the complexity of your network infrastructure. The software should be able to handle growth without compromising performance or security.
- Ease of Use: Look for NAC software that is easy to deploy, configure, and manage. The software should provide a user-friendly interface and support automation to streamline administrative tasks.
- Policy Enforcement: The NAC software should enforce security policies consistently across the network, regardless of the user or device’s location. This includes policies related to endpoint security, access control, and compliance.
- Support for BYOD and IoT Devices: Ensure that the NAC software can handle the unique security challenges posed by bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The software should be able to authenticate and authorize these devices securely.
- Flexibility and Customization: Choose NAC software that allows for flexibility and customization to meet the specific security needs of your organization. The software should support custom security policies and integration with third-party security tools.
- Vendor Reputation and Support: Finally, consider the reputation of the NAC software vendor and the level of support they provide. Choose a vendor with a track record of delivering reliable, secure solutions and responsive customer support.
By considering these factors, features, and capabilities, organizations can choose the best NAC software to enhance their network security posture and protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
Best Network Access Control (NAC) Software Used By Security Professionals
1. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
Know and control devices and users on your network. Employ intel from across your stack to enforce policy, manage endpoints, and deliver trusted access. Multicloud NAC with zero trust makes it possible. In zero-trust architecture, Identity Services Engine (ISE) is the policy decision point. It gathers intel from the stack to authenticate users and endpoints, automatically containing threats.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Know who you’re dealing with: Build profiles of users, locations, and access types by compiling data needed to deliver precise control over which endpoints and users can access your network.
- Embrace flexibility and choice: Tether NAC workloads across multiple clouds, leverage threat-blocking automation, get granular, stay within compliance. ISE preserves and protects your business.
- Access control is in your hands: Set up and secure connections with virtual LAN (VLAN) assignments, Access Control Lists (dACLs), URL redirects,. and named ACLs, all designed to undermine unwanted connections quickly and easily.
- Onboard effortlessly every time: Reduce tickets for your help desk and deliver a better user experience by empowering users to add and manage their own devices through self-service portals, such as SAML 2.0.
IDEAL FOR:
- Enterprises
- Mid-market organizations
PRODUCT WEBSITE: Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
2. Twingate NAC
Twingate offers a modern approach to network security that uses software-defined perimeters and principles of Zero Trust Network Access. Rather than granting access to networks and subnets, Twingate lets you protect each of your individual resources, whether on-prem or in the cloud. Your users can access the resources they need to get their jobs done whether at the office, at home, or on the road. Eliminate exposure to the internet. Easy setup in 15 minutes or less. Save hours on maintenance. Enforce least-privilege access policies.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Secure remote access to any network: Enable remote access without needing public subnets or port forwarding that exposes your network to the world. Easily deploy Twingate to any network environment whether in the cloud, on-prem, or at home.
- Hassle-free deployment: Deploy in minutes without changing IP addresses, remapping network names, or changing firewall rules.
- Access by role: Assign employees, contractors, and third-party vendors the appropriate level of access, and nothing more.
- Improved visibility: Understand who accessed company resources and quickly identify anomalous behavior.
IDEAL FOR:
- Mid-market organizations
- Small businesses
PRODUCT WEBSITE: Twingate NAC
3. SonicWall Secure Mobile Access
Secure your infrastructure while empowering your workforce. The Secure Mobile Access (SMA) series offers complete security for remote access to corporate resources hosted on-prem, in cloud and in hybrid datacenters. SonicWall Secure Mobile Access (SMA) is a unified secure access gateway that enables organizations to provide access to any application, anytime, from anywhere and any devices, including managed and unmanaged. SMA offers granular access control, context-aware device authorization, application-level VPN and complete integration with the most advanced authentications. SMA enables organizations to move to the cloud and embrace BYOD with ease.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Verify authorized users: Grant access only to trusted devices and authorized users. Empower your workforce with mobility and BYOD
- Prevent threats and minimize attack surface: Improve your security posture and reduce the surface area for threats. Enforce granular access control policies. Get high-performance layer-3 SSL VPN
- Simplified deployment for secure hybrid IT access: Choose between hardened physical appliances or virtual appliances. Deploy in private cloud or public cloud environments. Provide secure access to data center, cloud and SaaS resources from a single portal
IDEAL FOR:
- Enterprises
- Mid-market organizations
PRODUCT WEBSITE: SonicWall Secure Mobile Access
4. Portnox
Portnox delivers cloud-native network access control solutions purpose-built for organizations embracing zero trust security models.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Passwordless authentication: Leverage Portnox’s easy-to-use Certificate Authority to unlock passwordless authentication essentials that pack a heavyweight punch.
- Unified Access Control: Dynamically segment connected endpoints to control who has access to what with powerful access control policies.
- Endpoint risk monitoring: Understand the risk posture of every connected endpoint with 24/7 risk monitoring designed to keep your IT environment safe night and day.
- Endpoint remediation: When an endpoint falls outside your organization’s risk threshold, Portnox takes automatic action to reestablish compliance.
- Network device administration: Keep IT attackers out and your precious network devices under lock and key with cloud-native TACACS+ / AAA services from Portnox.
IDEAL FOR:
- Enterprises
- Mid-market organizations
PRODUCT WEBSITE: Portnox
5. FortiNAC
FortiNAC is a zero-trust access solution that oversees and protects all digital assets connected to the enterprise network, covering devices ranging from IT, IoT, OT/ICS, to IoMT. With network access control that enhances the Fortinet Security Fabric, FortiNAC delivers visibility, control, and automated response for everything that connects to the network. FortiNAC provides protection against IoT threats, extends control to third-party network devices, and orchestrates automatic response to a wide range of network events.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Agentless scanning: Detect and identify headless devices as they connect to the network
- 21 profiling methods: Utilize 21 different ways to determine the identity of a device
- Fortinet Security Fabric Integration: Leverage the Security Fabric for better visibility, segmentation enforcement, and policy adjustments
- Microsegmentation: Narrowly restrict access to network assets for identified devices
IDEAL FOR:
- Enterprises
- Mid-market organizations
PRODUCT WEBSITE: FortiNAC
6. Avigilon Alta
Cloud-native access control system designed for ultimate flexibility and administrative control. Enhance security at every level with leading mobile access technology and agile cloud software.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Manage from anywhere, on any device: Intuitive cloud-based door access control software for 100% serverless, fully remote management on any device, anywhere in the world.
- Secure, reliable mobile access control: 99.9% unlock reliability with patented Triple Unlock access control technology. Supports key cards, fobs, PINs, smart devices and digital guest passes.
- Future-proof protection: The proactive system features automatic updates, instant alerts and an open platform to help you stay ahead of the latest security threats.
IDEAL FOR:
- Mid-market organizations
- Small businesses
PRODUCT WEBSITE: Avigilon Alta
7. HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass
Authenticate, authorize, and enforce secure network access control with role-based network policies based on Zero Trust Security.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Robust Network Access Control: HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM) provides robust network access control with granular role-based policies for authentication, authorization, continuous monitoring and enforcement. Its highly interoperability feature helps customers to leverage their investment in earlier security products.
- Secure authorization: ClearPass provides authorization based on a user’s role, device type and role, authentication method, UEM attributes, device health, traffic patterns, location, and time of day.
- Reliable policy enforcement: When a security compromised is detected ClearPass can be signaled to take a response action from a wide range of security, network and IT sources.
IDEAL FOR:
- Enterprises
- Mid-market organizations
PRODUCT WEBSITE: HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass
8. Genea Security
Cloud-Based Access Control Security. Security through the Cloud. Genea’s cloud-based access control platform is built to be managed from anywhere you are. Manage credentials, monitor all access activity globally, and assign mobile keys from any device, anywhere, at any time.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Assign mobile or physical keys with ease: Genea’s cloud-based access control lets office administrators assign access keys in any form, from physical key fobs and cards to mobile keys that let employees open doors and gates by simply using their phones. Whatever key you prefer, Genea’s access control system can accommodate it.
- Designate employee access for enhanced security: Assign different employees different access credentials with a simple click of a button. Part-time employees may only need to access certain doors at certain times while other workers like security staff demand unfettered access. Genea’s cloud-based access control platform puts the power in your hands to set all credential limits.
IDEAL FOR:
- Mid-market organizations
- Small businesses
PRODUCT WEBSITE: Genea Security
9. Forescout NAC
NAC enforcement done your way. An intuitive and flexible policy engine enables you to automate and apply targeted control actions based on your needs and priority. You can apply policy-based controls that enforce device compliance to proactively reduce your attack surface or quarantine an infected endpoint to rapidly respond to incidents.
STATS & SPECIFICATIONS:
- Complete visibility: Get coverage of all managed and unmanaged IT devices, and leverage techniques tailored specifically for IoT, OT and IoMT assets to eliminate network blind spots once and for all.
- Continuous assessment: Assess security posture in real time without solely relying on an agent. You can even detect and fix missing, broken and out-of-date security agents among your existing ecosystem of tools.
- Automated remediation: Coordinate an automated response to threats and enforce a broad range of network and host-based controls, such as quarantining from the network or patching a vulnerability to effectively reduce risk.
- Flexible deployment: Customize how access is granted with the ability to deploy 802.1X for authenticating managed devices and post-connect assessment and controls for unmanaged IoT, OT and IoMT assets.
IDEAL FOR:
- Enterprises
- Mid-market organizations
PRODUCT WEBSITE: Forescout NAC
In Conclusion…
Choosing the best Network Access Control (NAC) software for an organization is a critical decision that requires careful consideration of various factors. It is essential to select a solution that aligns with the organization’s security requirements, integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure, and provides robust authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The chosen NAC software should also offer comprehensive visibility and monitoring capabilities, compliance checking features, and scalability to meet the organization’s evolving needs. Additionally, ease of use, policy enforcement capabilities, support for BYOD and IoT devices, flexibility for customization, and the vendor’s reputation and support are key considerations.
By carefully evaluating these factors, organizations can select the NAC software that best suits their security needs and helps protect their networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats.