Biggest concern for businesses looking to deploy NAC

Network Access Control This newsletter is sponsored by Juniper Networks Balancing network access and security The more users accessing the network, the more dangerous the network neighborhood becomes. Find out how to strike a balance between network access and security for internal and external users quickly. Click here to download this analyst whitepaper now. Network World's Network Access Control Newsletter, 07/31/07 Biggest concern for businesses looking to deploy NAC By Tim Greene The biggest concern for businesses thinking about deploying NAC are the cost and complexity of the project, according to a survey by Current Analysis. The worries about how complex the deployments are centered on whether the NAC gear would be compatible with other hardware and software already deployed and what it would take to remedy any problems, according to “The Current Analysis 2007 NAC Enterprise Demand Survey.” Beyond these concerns, potential NAC users also worry in a general way that NAC gear isn’t fully baked yet. As a result, they may want to delay deployment until it matures, the survey concludes. Network World Security Buyer's Guide Find the right security products for your enterprise - fast. From anti-spam to wireless LAN security, our Buyer's Guides have detailed information on hundreds of products in more than 20 categories. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features to make the best decision for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Security Buyer's Guide now. Despite these concerns, corporate investment in NAC is increasing and many seem on the verge of buying. Most respondents to the survey say they plan to have their NAC deployments completed within two years, with more midsized businesses indicating they will deploy within a year. The large corporations say they expect NAC to be a continuing area of growth, not a one-time installation, the survey says. Respondents to the survey were most aware of Cisco’s NAC than any other vendors'. “No vendor comes close to Cisco’s ability to garner market attention,” the survey says. Interestingly, though, start-ups that sell nothing but NAC gear generated the greatest loyalty among customers that have already deployed. The other big vendor getting into NAC, Microsoft with its network access protection (NAP), is being hurt by its delays releasing the components necessary to deploy NAP. The percentage of respondents willing to wait for Microsoft to ship NAP has dropped since last year’s survey, and few respondents plan to deploy it when it is released later this year. More information about the report written by Andrew Braunberg is available from Current Analysis. Editor's Note: Starting Aug. 14, this newsletter will be renamed "Security: Network Access Control" to better reflect the focus of the newsletter. We thank you for reading Network World newsletters!   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

TODAY'S MOST-READ STORIES: 1. Online gamers’ dirty little secrets exposed 2. IBM tells employees to behave in Second Life 3. Video games televised as a sport? 4. NAC alternatives hit the mark 5. Hogwarts IT director quits 6. Akonix: IM attacks up nearly 80% 7. Cisco Networkers extravaganza highlights 8. Top 15 'networkiest' moments of The Simpsons 9. Industry giants get 'Simpsonized' 10. Nacchio sentenced to 6 years, $52M fine MOST-READ REVIEW: NAC alternatives hit the mark

Contact the author: Tim Greene is a senior editor at Network World, covering network access control, virtual private networking gear, remote access, WAN acceleration and aspects of VoIP technology. You can reach him at tgreene@nww.com. This newsletter is sponsored by Juniper Networks Balancing network access and security The more users accessing the network, the more dangerous the network neighborhood becomes. Find out how to strike a balance between network access and security for internal and external users quickly. Click here to download this analyst whitepaper now. ARCHIVE Archive of the Network Access Control Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007