Network Access Control (NAC) Solutions

TrustRadius Top Rated for 2023

Top Rated Products

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

The Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers a network-based approach for adaptable, trusted access everywhere, based on context. It gives the user intelligent, integrated protection through intent-based policy and compliance solutions.

All Products

(1-25 of 32)

1
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

The Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers a network-based approach for adaptable, trusted access everywhere, based on context. It gives the user intelligent, integrated protection through intent-based policy and compliance solutions.

2
Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Barracuda CloudGen Firewalls provides a wide range of security and connectivity features, including web filtering, NAC and SSL VPN and other features for remote access, as well as protection as edge devices and IoT security.

3
SolarWinds Access Rights Manager (ARM)

SolarWinds Access Rights Manager (ARM) is designed to assist IT and security admins to quickly and easily provision, deprovision, manage and audit user access rights to systems, data, and files. By analyzing user authorizations and access permission you get visualization of who has…

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4
Forescout Platform

Forescout Technologies headquartered in San Jose actively defends the Enterprise of Things by identifying, segmenting and enforcing compliance of every connected thing. Forescout boasts a widely deployed, enterprise-class platform at scale across IT, IoT, and OT managed and unmanaged…

5
Aruba ClearPass

Aruba ClearPass is network access control (NAC) technology from HPE company Aruba Networks. Aruba acquired Avenda and its eTips NAC in 2011.

6
NordLayer

NordLayer provides cybersecurity tools for businesses of any size or work model developed by the standard of NordVPN. NordLayer helps organizations secure networks and enhance internet security and modernizes network and resource access with technical improvements aligning with…

7
Twingate

Twingate allows businesses to secure remote access to their private applications, data, and environments, whether they are on-premise or in the cloud. Built to make the lives of DevOps teams, IT teams, and end users easier, it replaces outdated corporate VPNs which were not built…

8
Appgate SDP

AppGate SDP (software-defined perimeter) from Cyxtera Technologies headquartered in Addison is a zero trust network security product.

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UserLock

UserLock from IS Decisions is a network access control and identity management solution.

10
Open Systems SASE+

With a network of global access points, Open Systems states that SASE+ secures users no matter where they work. It aims to deliver direct, fast, and reliable connections to the internet and cloud and is centrally managed to make it easy to expand reach to anywhere and anything. SASE+…

11
Sophos NAC Advanced (discontinued)

UK-based Sophos provided Network Access Control technology. Sophos NAC Advanced has been discontinued since 2013.

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FortiNAC

FortiNAC is a zero-trust access solution that oversees and protects all digital assets connected to the enterprise network, covering devices ranging from IT, IoT, OT/ICS, to IoMT. With network access control that enhances the Fortinet Security Fabric, FortiNAC delivers visibility,…

13
Delinea Server PAM

Delinea Server PAM solution (Cloud Suite and Server Suite) secures privileged access for servers on both on-premise and cloud/multi-cloud environments. It allows humans and machines to seamlessly authenticate, enforcing least privilege with just-in-time privilege elevation, increasing…

14
McAfee NAC (Discontinued)

McAfee NAC is discontinued since 2012.

15
Restorepoint Universal Console

Universal Console acts a single access gateway to all devices, controlling, monitoring and auditing access to network devices and servers. The vendor states that unlike most Privileged Access Management solutions that require weeks or months to deploy, users can start taking control…

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Vidder
0 reviews

Vidder from the company of the same name in Campbell, California, is network access control technology.

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macmon
0 reviews

macon is a software defined perimeter (SDP) and NAC (network access control) solution from the Berlin-based company of the same name.

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Byos
0 reviews

Byos Secure Edge is a security solution used to communicate “on the network” without being connected “to the network” by isolating each device on its own network of one. If a device is compromised in some other way, like malware from an email, Byos limits the spread. The Byos Secure…

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Conecta Suite
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NACVIEW
0 reviews

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Delinea DevOps Secrets Vault

Delinea DevOps Secrets Vault is a high-velocity vault for automating secrets management in DevOps CI/CD pipelines, capable of high-speed secrets creation, archiving, and retrieval. This solution is built with the velocity needed to match a CI/CD environment that Secret Server is…

22
ExtremeCloud Universal ZTNA

ExtremeCloud Universal ZTNA is designed to provide a frictionless user experience with consistent security policies for applications and devices, including IoT. It can be used to enforce consistent security policy for users, devices, and applications with one solution: ZTNA, NAC,…

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ExtremeCloud IQ Essentials

ExtremeCloud IQ delivers unified, full-stack managementof wireless access points, switches, and routers and enables onboarding, configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and reporting.

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Portnox
0 reviews

Access Layers from Israeli company Portnox is network access control software.

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Cisco NAC Manager and Server

Cisco's Network Access Control (NAC) Manager and Server is a network access control option.

Learn More About Network Access Control (NAC) Solutions

What Is Network Access Control?

Network Access Control (NAC) Solutions are network security platforms emphasizing asset usage monitoring and restrictions and protections around sensitive data. They operate as traffic controllers, executing on defined policy and enforcing rule-based restrictions for identity and access management and preventing cross-contamination of critical network components by unsecured endpoints. Total NAC solutions combine hardware appliances with software, and they are often bundled with other networking or security capabilities, such as authentication, incident response, and network monitoring.


Network access control solutions help organizations enforce zero-trust security postures by automatically requiring both valid authentication from the requesting device and authorization from a pre-set list of policies and rules. They are most commonly set up at the network’s edge, but can also enforce policies when devices attempt to access different segments of the network internally. These policies and restrictions can be set based on IP address, device security profiles, or other user identifiers. NAC software is primarily focused on enterprise networks, although there are some products that can serve the SMB market as well.



Network Access Control Use Cases

NAC Solutions are important resources when establishing a zero-trust security posture, particularly at larger organizations. They can also provide additional network visibility. However, there are some newer use cases that modern NAC solutions have focused on serving.


Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policies


BYOD has become an increasingly standard, and even expected, policy for employees. However, the policy also creates a host of security risks and potential vulnerabilities. NAC solutions help mitigate that risk by forcing all devices, including BYOD, to prove they have the appropriate login credentials and security postures to gain access to requested resources. Since NAC policies can be heavily customized, it allows employees to bring their own devices without jeopardizing the entire network.


Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

IoT devices are becoming an ever more central part of modern business operations. However, IoT devices require some level of network access, and can be a rampant vulnerability for enterprises. NAC solutions can tailor resource access and permissions for specific devices or classes of IoT devices to give them the necessary access without giving vulnerable access to unneeded portions of the network.


Guest Access

Much like BYOD policies, network guests come with unpredictable security measures and often only need access to specific portions of the network. NAC solutions can give network guests a quality experience on the network while minimizing the risk that guests’ devices could be exploited by malevolent 3rd-parties.


Regulatory/Medical Compliance

NAC solutions can help certain industries stay compliant with data privacy and protection regulations. This is particularly true for medical organizations, who are at the intersection of a highly-regulated industry and exponentially-increasing volumes of at-risk IoT devices.


NAC Solution Comparison

When comparing different Network Access Control solutions, consider these factors:


  1. Scalability: How many endpoints is each product optimized for? Consider both the functional limitations of each product, as well as any pricing tied to scaling, such as the number of endpoints supported.

  2. Policy Customization: How easily customizable are the policy controls for each NAC policies? Consider the routine maintenance and updating that comes with adding on new device classes, increased network complexity, and other new factors that require administrator attention.

  3. Integrations: How well, and easily, does NAC solution integrate with the business’s broader networking and security tools? The main systems that should be evaluated include the business’s existing SIEM, networking monitoring, or endpoint security solutions.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What does NAC stand for in networking?

NAC stands for “Network Access Control”.

What does Network Access Control do?

Network Access Control solutions let enterprises control whether each device/endpoint can access the network and what level of access/resources each device can get.

What is a Network Access Control List?

A Network Access Control List (NACL) is the set of policies and rules that determine what network access each device gets.

Why is network access control important?

Network Access Control is important to maintaining a zero-trust security posture. It is particularly crucial to securing the network against IoT and BYOD vulnerabilities.

Who uses NAC solutions?

NAC solutions are most commonly used by enterprises, particularly large enterprises, who need the centralized network policy management at scale.