Network access control, or NAC, is an important part of any organization’s security strategy. In addition to reducing the threat of advanced persistent threats, it also enhances performance and reduces costs.
Reduces risk of advanced persistent threats
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are long-term cyber attacks conducted by groups of people with the common goal of infiltrating networks and stealing data. These attacks usually involve reconnaissance and the insertion of malicious code. These campaigns are usually directed against organizations, especially those with any personally identifiable information. In the worst cases, attackers can even take over networks to complete their mission.
Effective network access control (nac) solutions will not only identify advanced threats but also protect against them in a multilayered manner. A good security system will prioritize alerts and reduce the number of false alerts. This approach will also prevent “alert fatigue.” Often, security professionals use game theory models to design effective defense strategies against advanced persistent threats.
A network access control solution (NAC) is a security technology that gives network administrators control over which devices can access network resources. NAC solutions support different use cases, including guest access, BYOD, and IoT scenarios.
Improves performance
Network access control (NAC) solutions are a great way to secure your network and limit bandwidth usage. NAC solutions can detect devices as they connect to the network and check to see if they are compromising the security of your network. They can also help you determine which devices should be allowed and which should not. A good NAC solution will also be easy to use for administrators. However, administrators may be less likely to use it if it is complicated to navigate.
Many NAC solutions allow you to set up “monitor mode,” which allows you to monitor the solution and identify issues before they become critical. This is helpful both before implementing the solution and as changes are made. However, network access control requires regular testing and adjustments to ensure optimal performance. To make this happen, you must ensure that you have the resources to monitor your solution continuously.
Network access control solutions allow you to grant limited network access to contractors. This is useful for companies that want to allow certain types of traffic while preventing others from using the network. It is also a great way to ensure guest users can use the network smoothly. NAC solutions are essential to a secure network, as they help prevent unauthorized network connections.
Minimizes costs
Network access control solutions are expensive investments, and organizations must carefully consider these solutions’ benefits before purchasing them. These solutions can be useful for securing sensitive information and limiting access to network shares, but they also require ongoing licensing, training, and administration expenses. To minimize these costs, network access control solutions should be designed to integrate seamlessly with an organization’s existing IT security systems. For example, many NAC products can integrate directly with an organization’s existing SIEM or MDM system, reducing ongoing administration costs.
The cost of network access control solutions varies depending on the size of your network. For example, if you have 1,000 endpoints, the cost of licensing a NAC solution will be substantially higher than for a network with just 100 devices. NAC solution costs will dramatically increase if your network grows to 5,000 users.
Network access control solutions allow you to fine-tune each device’s access policies and controls. These systems can determine which resources users can access and move around a network, and they can monitor users for threats. This allows you to remove malicious actors before they can cause any damage. It also protects your organization’s network resources without compromising convenience and efficiency. However, as the number of devices connected to a network grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to monitor network activities. Network access control solutions solve this problem by mapping every device connected to your network and implementing policies for every authorized user.
Minimizes risk of cyberattacks
To minimize the risk of cyberattacks, it is important to implement network access control solutions that allow only authorized users to connect to sensitive systems. These solutions use multi-factor authentication to verify user identity, endpoint compliance, and other parameters. They also implement access rules to evaluate all connections, preventing unauthorized exposure of sensitive systems.
NAC solutions are the first defense against cyber attacks, as they help block a gap in the network’s security. They ensure all connected devices have the latest security updates and feature quarantine and remediation systems. These systems also give security professionals detailed information on the security posture of the connected devices.
Cyberattacks pose a high risk to organizations and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Luckily, technological advances have made it easy to protect information assets. But unfortunately, the threat environment is constantly changing, so organizations must keep up with the latest developments.
