Microsoft's version of NAC

Security: Network Access Control This newsletter is sponsored by Secure Computing PCI DSS: Discover how to easily comply Tune in to this live webcast to hear industry experts discuss the PCI DSS specification and how real-world companies are complying today. You will hear advice on how to establish a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal. Don't miss out. Network World's Security: Network Access Control Newsletter, 11/13/07 Microsoft's version of NAC By Tim Greene When Microsoft releases Service Pack 3 for Windows XP next year it will have a little something in it for NAC. Or more precisely, something in it for network access protection, NAP, which is Microsoft’s version of NAC. The upgrade will include a NAP agent that will enable the platform to send health-check information and act as an 802.1x client for authentication. This enables the client to interact with devices made by other vendors that comply with 802.1x NAC, which is good for anyone that wants to deploy NAC and doesn’t want to make the extra effort to distribute client software to all endpoints that need to be checked out. Executive Guide The Security Treadmill This Executive Guide offers interviews with leading, real-world security experts who tell you how to get inside users' heads, fight for a bigger security budget, and whether VoIP security issues are overstated or underrated, and much more. Review this informative guide today. Click Here for More Information The downside is that even with the service pack, the software doesn’t support Cisco’s NAC, which might be of interest to a significant number of potential NAC customers. Perhaps Microsoft figures that by the time the service pack is available, many of its customers will have moved on to Vista, which does support Cisco NAC. For those interested in NAP itself, they’ve got a wait as well. The server side of NAP won’t be available until Windows Server 2008 comes out. The most recent delay on that project puts availability at some time next year. After that, it is probably prudent for potential users of the technology to test it out on their networks before deploying it. So NAP for general use may not come for another several months after the server is released. One thing is clear. Microsoft NAP is for those who are patient. The Network World IT Buyer's Guides provide comprehensive, detailed information on how to select, test, buy and deploy thousands of network and IT products. The new Network World IT Buyer's Guides offer even more features than before, here's just one that's worth checking out: Network Access Control Editor's note: Starting Tuesday, Nov, 20, this newsletter will be renamed "Security: Network Access Control Alert." Subscribers to the HTML version of this newsletter will notice some enhancements that will provide you with access to more resources relevant to IT security. You will still receive Tim Greene's analysis of this market, which you will be able to read in its entirety online at NetworkWorld.com, along with links to relevant news headlines of the day. We hope you enjoy the enhancements and we thank you for reading Network World newsletters.   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 Secure Computing PCI DSS: Discover how to easily comply Tune in to this live webcast to hear industry experts discuss the PCI DSS specification and how real-world companies are complying today. You will hear advice on how to establish a comprehensive strategy to achieve this goal. Don't miss out. ARCHIVE Archive of the Security: Network Access Control Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE 90% of IT Managers are leaving their company at risk for a DNS ATTACK. Get the tools and resources you need to keep your DNS healthy and secure. Run a DNSreport on your domain today - 56 critical tests run in 8 seconds. Visit www.dnsreport.com to learn more. (apply coupon NWW2007NLA for a 25% membership discount) 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