In today’s modern world, companies and businesses face massive security threats. Networks are made for connection and expansion with more and more devices and ensure that only authorized users can gain access. For this network, admission control is important, which is a strong solution and a robust way to manage network access and only trusted networks are allowed to connect. This blog explains network admission control, how it works, and its major benefits.
Understanding Network Admission Control
Network admission control is a security framework that restricts the availability of network resources based on their authenticity under the security policy. It ensures that only authorized and secured devices can access the network, which protects them from risks and untrusted devices. NAC authenticate, authorize, and validates devices before giving them access to the network. The checking is based on various factors like the health of the device, identity of the user, security policies and the presence of antivirus or firewalls. If the device fails under the set criteria, NAC either blocks it or limits the access of it to the network.
How Does NAC Functions
The functioning of network admission control is divided into three processes:
- Authentication: NAC identify the device and the user that is trying to connect. This involves credentials like usernames, passwords, and biometrics methods.
- Assessment: After the authentication is done, NAC evaluates the device’s compliance or non-compliance with the organization security policies. It includes checking of the operating systems, software updates, antivirus status, etc.
- Enforcement: Based on the assessment, NAC system decides, if the device passes, it gains the full access to the network.
Benefits of NAC
- Security: The major advantage of NAC is that it improves network security by ensuring only authorized devices can have access to the network. With this, organizations can reduce the risk of cyber attacks, malware, and unauthorized access.
- Compliance: Many companies must follow the regulatory standards and compliance requirements set by the management and NAC ensures that all devices that have access to the network follow these regulations.
- Limited Threat Surface: NAC mitigates a threat surface by limiting access from untrusted devices as security policies are enforced across all endpoints. It thus reduces the chance of an insider threat and protects the network from being infected or compromised by devices introduced by employees, contractors, or guests.
- Simplified Network Access Control: It is extremely difficult to manage network access manually, not least among large organizations that have numerous devices and users. NAC automates the process of managing devices and access to the user. In addition to this, it provides central control, which simplifies matters for an administrator in ensuring that there is application of consistency in policies across the network.
- BYOD Policies: Most organizations allow workers to use their own devices in the workplace. This brings about several security issues to most organizations. Network admission control ensures that the security standards of the organization are met by personal devices before a personal device is allowed on the network. It helps produce higher productivity levels in organizations while causing lower security risks.