What Is Network Access Control (NAC)? | Illumio

Why Network Access Control Is Still Important

Network access control has existed since the early 2000s, building and evolving over the years to accommodate equally evolving technologies. Its protocols, tools, and features have served as the foundation for fortifying and centralizing network security.

Originally used to block unauthorized devices from an internal or data center network, these control systems are rising to meet the security challenges that accompany an ever-increasing digital age.

As medical and IoT devices and BYODs become an increasing presence in everyday and business environments, they also become crucial security risks. A robust NAC solution is essential.

Medical Devices

The healthcare industry is at the forefront in adopting and implementing a broad array of technological advances, including medical devices for patients. They are IP-enabled and coming online at a rapid pace, making it critical for hospital network administrators to identify every device that is active on the network. These control solutions make this effort quick and efficient to identify devices from potential threats. Healthcare organizations take their NAC responsibilities seriously to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.

IoT Devices

IoT technology includes the billions of IoT devices connected to the internet, like the medical devices mentioned above, without any type of human action. These devices can serve as an additional entry access point for attackers to infiltrate a network.

Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and many others recognize that IoT is becoming more and more important to their business.

With adequate network access control, businesses can reduce IoT-specific security risks by providing visibility, profiling, and access management for optimal control over network access.

Most important, network access control solutions continually monitor IoT activity to ensure compliance with the business’s security and policies.

BYODs

Bring your own device (BYOD) has become a powerful force behind remote work capabilities. Employees and management can use their own mobile devices, including laptops, smartphones, and tablets to work from any location, inside or outside the office. Since BYODs access company resources such as printers and shared files from home or wireless networks, NAC ensures compliance for all BYODs before reaching and entering the network.