If you’re planning to implement a network access control solution for your organization, you’ll need to understand the four steps of the NAC process. These four steps are defining policies, monitoring endpoints, and defining access rules. To help you make the most of this security system, here are some tips and tricks:
Defining policies
The first step in determining policies is to define user identities. It will help the committee decide who can access network resources. The NAC tool prevents unauthorized access by employing proactive measures. It also protects an organization’s assets at the perimeter of the network, including software, devices, and medical records. This approach to network security helps healthcare organizations secure their data. Further, NAC allows them to control and manage all of the devices on the network. And because it will enable users to configure their network access, they can also enforce security compliance and patch management policies.
Monitoring endpoints
With the proliferation of endpoints across organizations, NAC solutions must address the challenges associated with this trend. IoT devices and BYOD policies have increased the number of endpoints. Without automated solutions, organizations cannot identify and protect all of their endpoints. An NAC solution can identify suspicious network activity and isolate devices that pose a security risk. In this article, we will discuss some of the key benefits of NAC and how it helps organizations protect themselves against the threat landscape.
NAC tools can monitor the network perimeter for security threats and attacks. NAC policies dictate which devices and users can access what resources. The NAC system stores and applies these policies to every request to the network. Authorization must be followed by authentication. If authorization is failed, a zero-trust security situation occurs. Fortunately, NAC tools are designed to provide these features and many more. Monitoring endpoints is an essential part of NAC.
NAC monitoring also helps ensure that endpoints comply with business policies. For example, when computers connect to a network, they must meet a pre-connect phase requirement. They will be given a specific authorization level and then monitored until they meet or exceed those requirements. Then, NAC will suspend or revoke network privileges for endpoints that do not meet these standards. These monitoring systems often include agents that monitor endpoint hardware and software conditions.
Defining access rules
A key component of the NAC process is defining access rules for different users. While network admins are typically given the most access to network resources, CMOs and guests have limited access. Essentially, the NAC is like a bouncer at a nightclub: whoever wants to use the network must meet the appropriate security policies. It includes the dress code and a photo ID. The more secure the access rules, the better the company’s security measures.
Once a company has defined a list of users, it must determine these users’ roles. This step is critical because, without the proper permissions, users could access resources that they are not supposed to. The NAC process can determine which users should have access to what by categorizing users by their job functions. Finally, users must be registered in the NAC tool so that their activities on the network are tracked.
NAC can limit access to non-compliant endpoints and invoke the remediation process. The NAC process is divided into three parts: Identity, Assess, and Remediate. When an endpoint falls under quarantine, it is restricted from accessing resources until it meets the security policy. In addition, it cannot access the network unless it completes the NAC process. The goal is to limit access only to necessary resources to resolve the issues affecting the machine.