Securing your network with NAC: Key Features, Benefits and Best Practices
Among the vast amount of threats to an organization’s IT security, the most common vector of attacks and breaches occurs due to the company’s employees. As shocking as that may sound, Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigation reveals that 68% of breaches involved a non-malicious human element. Workforces have become more reliant on remote practices, making Shadow IT commonplace. When unauthenticated and unauthorized end-user devices are allowed to connect to corporate networks, even with harmless intentions, it can compromise the entire company. Network Access Control (NAC) is the system through which these types of devices can be blocked, quarantined, and even removed from the network entirely. After a thorough deep dive into NAC, it will be apparent that this is an essential part of every IT security stack.
Understanding Network Access Control (NAC)
NAC is a cybersecurity framework used to regulate and enforce policies for devices and users that are attempting to access a secured network. Essentially, NAC acts as a gatekeeper, only allowing authenticated and compliant devices to connect, this removes the risk of potential security breaches. After implementing NAC, organizations gain more granular control over network access, such as verifying user identities, enforcing security policies, and monitoring connected devices. Originally, NAC was the responsibility of firewalls and VPNs, with more dynamic environments, the strategy was forced to change to more advanced and targets software applications. NAC has adapted to fit modern security models like Zero Trust, where every connection is verified continuously against strict policies and identity standards. This ensures that businesses can secure their internal networks and cloud environments, as well as remote devices and IoT devices making NAC a staple for any robust cybersecurity posture.
Key Features of NAC
Identity Verification and Device Profiling
NAC applications apply various methods of Identity verification and Device Profiling. Identity verification options typically include Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), digital certificates, and single sign-on (SSO) that allow NAC systems to comply with a Zero Trust Framework and present several more convenient authentication methods to authorized users. Device profiling adds the advantages of analyzing a device’s attributes like Operating System, firmware version, MAC address, and adherence to company compliance policies. This process is often called Device Fingerprinting and ensures that only allowed and authorized devices can connect to secure networks.
Policy Enforcement and Compliance Checks
NAC solutions use role-based and contextual access policies to grant or restrict network access based on user roles, device type, location, and any other policy-related standards. Employees, contractors, and guests only have access to the resources they need—nothing more. An automated solution to compliance and policy enforcement helps organizations meet security standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and NIST. If a device is found to be non-compliant, NAC can automatically restrict or remediate access, reducing the risk of security breaches and regulatory violations.
Automated Detection and Response
NAC continuously monitors network activity, analyzing device behavior and traffic patterns to detect anomalies such as unauthorized access attempts, malware-infected devices, or unusual data transfers. NAC can automatically enforce security measures like quarantining the compromised device, blocking suspicious connections, or triggering alerts for IT teams to investigate. This automated response minimizes potential risk, reduces time undetected for malicious threats, and strengthens overall network security by preventing threats from spreading.
Comparison of Leading NAC Solutions
Choosing a NAC requires the assessment of factors, including scalability, integration capabilities, automation, and compliance features. The following is a comparison of three leading solutions.
FortiNAC – Scalable and Cost-Effective Security
- Strengths:
- FortiNAC Offers strong network visibility, automated threat response, and integration with Fortinet’s security ecosystem, creating a more streamlined management experience
- Best For:
- Organizations already utilizing the Fortinet Security Fabric and related software/hardware.
- Key Features:
- Agentless device visibility and profiling.
- Automatic network segmentation and response.
- Strong IoT security capabilities.
- Considerations:
- Does not have deep identity-based policy enforcement compared to Cisco ISE.
Cisco ISE – Enterprise-Grade Security and Zero Trust Integration
- Strengths:
- Industry-leading solution for Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) with deep integration into Cisco’s security stack.
- Best For:
- Large Organizations that require advanced identity-based access control and endpoint compliance.
- Key Features:
- Granular role-based and context-aware access policies.
- Seamless integration with Cisco networking and security products.
- Comprehensive compliance enforcement and real-time threat response.
- Considerations:
- Higher cost and complexity; A good fit if a dedicated IT security team is in place.
Aruba ClearPass – Flexible and Multi-Vendor Friendly
- Strengths:
- Aruba ClearPass offers NAC capabilities that are not vendor-specific, which makes it a great choice for diverse IT environments.
- Best For:
- Businesses with network infrastructures that require flexibility and strong guest access management.
- Considerations:
- Can be a more difficult deployment without diverse knowledge of all vendors in the IT stack.
- Key Features:
- Supports diverse vendor environments with flexible integrations.
- Very robust guest and Bring Your Own Device access management.
- Additional AI-driven automation.
Final Thoughts
Organizations face an increasing number of security threats, especially from within, implementing a robust NAC solution ensures greater visibility, tighter access controls, and automated threat response. Whether securing a hybrid workforce, protecting IoT devices, or enforcing regulatory compliance, NAC provides a proactive defense against unauthorized access and potential breaches.
Choosing the right NAC solution depends on your organization’s unique needs—FortiNAC offers cost-effective scalability, Cisco ISE provides enterprise-grade Zero Trust enforcement, and Aruba ClearPass delivers vendor-agnostic flexibility. Businesses that invest in NAC are fortifying their networks and strengthening their overall cybersecurity posture. Integrating NAC into your security strategy ensures that only the right users and devices gain access—keeping threats out and business operations secure.
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