Network Access Control (NAC) is a security solution that uses a set of protocols to prevent

unauthorized users and devices from accessing a private network or to grant restricted access to
devices that comply with network security policies. It is also known as Network Admission Control.
 NAC is responsible for network management and security by enforcing security policies,
ensuring compliance, and managing access control.
 It operates across both wired and wireless networks by identifying and evaluating the devices
that attempt to connect.
 To set up a NAC solution, administrators define protocols that determine how devices and
users are authenticated and authorized for different levels of access.
 Access rules are typically based on factors such as the device being used, the location of
access, the user's access rights, and the specific data or resources being requested.

Types of Network Access Control

Different types of network access control are:
Pre-admission
It happens before access to the network is granted on initialization of request by user or device to
access the network. It evaluates the access attempt and only allows the access if the user or device is
compliant with organization security policies and authorized to access the network.
Post-admission
It happens within the network when the user or device attempts to access the different parts of the
network. It restricts the lateral movement of the device within the network by asking for re-
authentication for each request to access a different part of the network.

Steps to Implement NAC Solutions

Following are the steps to implement NAC solutions:
 Gather Data: Perform an exhaustive survey and collect information about every device, user,
and server that has to interface with the network resources.
 Manage Identities: Verify user identities within the organization by authentication and
authorization.
 Determine Permissions: Create permission policies stating different access levels for
identified user groups.
 Apply for Permissions: Apply permission policies on identified user groups and register
each user in the NAC system to trace their access level and activity within the network.
 Update: Monitor security operations and make adjustments to permission policies based on
changing requirements of the organization with time.

Importance of Network Access Control

Given below the importance of Network Access Control:
 There has been exponential growth in the number of mobile devices accessing private
organizational networks in recent years.
  This surge has increased security risks to organizational resources.
 To address these risks, tools are needed that offer visibility, access control, and compliance
enforcement to strengthen network security.
 Network Access Control (NAC) systems can:
o Deny access to non-compliant or unauthorized devices.

o Grant restricted access to devices that partially meet security policies.

o Prevent insecure devices from infecting or compromising the network.

 NAC solutions are capable of managing large enterprise networks with a wide variety of
device types.

Principle Elements of NAC

There are mainly three principal elements of NAC which are:
Access Requestor (AR)
An Access Requestor (AR) is any entity such as a device, user, or process that attempts to gain access
to network resources. This could include servers, IP cameras, printers, or other IP-enabled devices
managed by the NAC system.
ARs are sometimes referred to as supplicants or clients. To ensure security, ARs must comply with the
organization's specific policies or guidelines. This process ensures that unauthorized entities are
denied access to protected resources.
Policy Server
The policy server determines what level of access should be granted to an Access Requestor (AR)
based on:
 The AR’s identity.
 Its permission level.
 The nature of the access request.
 The organization's predefined access policies.
It often relies on backend services like:
 Antivirus software
 Patch management systems
 User directories (e.g., Active Directory)
The policy server evaluates the state of the host and uses the organization's rules to either:
 Authorize access if the AR complies with policies
 Deny or restrict access if the AR does not comply
Network Access Server (NAS)
Users connecting to an organization's internal network from distant locations utilize the NAS as an
access control point. These often serve as VPNs and give users access to the company's internal
network. These days, NAS functionality is frequently included in policy server systems.
Remote employees can connect to the company's internal network via NAS, which serves as an access
point for them. This allows the company and its employees to create a secure connection and grant
authorized access to the network.

What are the general capabilities of a NAC solution?

NAC solutions help organizations control access to their networks through the following capabilities:
 Policy lifecycle management: Enforces policies for all operating scenarios without requiring
separate products or additional modules.
 Profiling and visibility: Recognizes and profiles users and their devices before malicious
code can cause damage.
 Guest networking access: Manage guests through a customizable, self-service portal that
includes guest registration, guest authentication, guest sponsoring, and a guest management
portal.
 Security posture check: Evaluates security-policy compliance by user type, device type, and
operating system.
 Incidence response: Mitigates network threats by enforcing security policies that block,
isolate, and repair noncompliant machines without administrator attention.
 Bidirectional integration: Integrate with other security and network solutions through the
open/RESTful API.

Key Responsibilities of Network Access Control

Here are the key responsibilities of Network Access Control systems, organized clearly for
understanding:
 It allows only compliant, authenticated devices to access network resources and
infrastructure.
 It controls and monitors the activity of connected devices on the network.
 It restricts the availability of network resources of private organizations to devices that follow
their security policy.
 It regulates the access of network resources to the users.
 It mitigates network threats by enforcing security policies that block, isolate, and repair non-
compliant machines without administrator attention.

Advantages of Network Access Control?

Network access control comes with a number of benefits for organizations:
 1. Control the users entering the corporate network
2. Control access to the applications and resources users aim to access
3. Allow contractors, partners, and guests to enter the network as needed but restrict their access
4. Segment employees into groups based on their job function and build role-based access
policies
5. Protect against cyberattacks by putting in place systems and controls that detect unusual or
suspicious activity
6. Automated incident response
7. Generate reports and insights on attempted access across the organization

Real Life NAC Examples

Here are some real-life Network Access Control (NAC) examples to help you understand how it's
used in enterprise environments:
 Corporate Office: NAC ensures only company-issued, secure laptops can access internal
systems. Unapproved or non-compliant devices are blocked or sent to a restricted network.
 Hospital / Healthcare: NAC verifies that medical devices and staff computers meet security
standards before accessing patient data. Non-compliant devices are denied or limited in
access.
 University Campus: Students must meet basic security requirements (like antivirus) to use
campus Wi-Fi. NAC segments student and faculty traffic to protect academic resources.
 Retail Store: It restricts access so only authorized point-of-sale systems connect to the
network. Customer and staff devices are placed on a separate guest Wi-Fi.
 Smart Home: It checks smart devices before letting them connect. Guests get internet access
only, keeping home automation systems secure.

Limitations of Network Access Control (NAC)

Here are the Limitations of NAC systems that are important to understand, especially in real-world
deployments:
 Limited Visibility for IoT Devices: NAC has low visibility and control over IoT devices or
endpoints without specific user identities.
 No Internal Threat Protection: NAC does not protect against threats that originate within
the network, such as insider attacks or compromised internal devices.
 Compatibility Issues: NAC solutions may not function effectively if they are incompatible
with existing security tools or infrastructure within the organization.