Dynamic NAC

Security: Network Access Control This newsletter is sponsored by Nevis Networks Webcast: Cut Through NAC Hype Over the past few years, network access control has evolved to encompass a large number of endpoint security compliance, malware detection, access control and authentication products with very different focuses. Cut through the hype and confusion to find real-world NAC answers. Network World's Security: Network Access Control Newsletter, 08/16/07 Dynamic NAC By Tim Greene InfoExpress has introduced support for more operating systems with its Dynamic NAC (DNAC) software. In addition to older Windows operating systems, DNAC supports Windows Vista as well as Mac OS X and Linux. This gives customers more flexibility than they had before if they choose to deploy DNAC. They can exert access control over more machines and use more machines as part of DNAC enforcement. 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. DNAC differs from most other NAC systems in that it relies solely on software and uses existing machines within networks to support DNAC policy enforcement. Each end device that is authorized to log in to the network is given a DNAC client that scans the machine to determine whether it meets security policies. These include having a patched operating system, current virus-signature libraries and an operating personal firewall. The DNAC client scans the machine, reports the results to a DNAC Policy Server and gives the machine access if it comes up clean. If not, access is blocked by an Enforcer, which is software installed on a trusted machine on the same network segment as the machine that is trying to gain access. It can be a server or PC that is also running other applications. DNAC also includes Policy Manger, an application used to develop access policies, and Reporting Server, which gathers data from Policy Server and generates reports on NAC compliance and actions DNAC has taken. The scheme may be attractive to customers that don’t want to alter their network infrastructure when they add NAC. DNAC costs $40 per seat. For a recent review of DNAC, click here. Correction: In the last newsletter about Mirage Network's new N-120 appliance, the maximum number of employees the device supports should have been listed as 50.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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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 Nevis Networks Webcast: Cut Through NAC Hype Over the past few years, network access control has evolved to encompass a large number of endpoint security compliance, malware detection, access control and authentication products with very different focuses. Cut through the hype and confusion to find real-world NAC answers. ARCHIVE Archive of the Security: 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