OVERVIEW
What is Network Access Control?
Network Access Control (NAC) comprises a series of security solutions that expand network visibility and access management via device and user policies. The purpose of NAC is to protect all reaches of corporate networks.
How does NordLayer’s NAC solution work?
Network Access Control (NAC) serves as a tool within a security framework, enabling the customization of access to networks according to specific needs, strategies, and infrastructure. It empowers administrators to enforce access rules on devices and users, using security protocols for authenticating and authorizing requests, often with third-party authentication integration.
NAC also provides the framework for establishing secure connections and managing user access to resources based on their roles, enabling administrators to ensure users do not exceed their permissions.
BUSINESS USE
Why is NAC important for business?
Improved security
Network Access Control solutions authenticate all users as and when they access the network, giving admins insight into all devices in use across your organization and monitoring overall activity. Should any unauthorized user attempt to gain access or suspicious activity be detected, you can take immediate action and reduce the threat of cyberattack or malware infiltration.
Increased visibility
Keeping track of all users and endpoints in your organization is key for several cybersecurity reasons — which are authorized, which have restricted access, and the devices that are due to be replaced. NAC provides visibility features to form a real-time inventory of users and endpoints throughout your business.
Regulatory compliance
NAC solutions are more than just methods of mitigating security risks. They achieve this effectively, but selecting the best ones for your business can aid your organization towards meeting compliance standards. NordLayer NAC solutions introduce controls for compliance under regulations such as HIPAA, SOX, and PCI-DSS.
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USE CASES
Protect your organization with NordLayer NAC solutions
Control access for a hybrid workforce
Modern teams require seamless and secure access to critical work tools and information, whether at the company headquarters or working remotely from various parts of the world. NAC ensures that your team stays connected safely, allowing for flexible remote work without compromising security.
Regulate third-party access: partners, vendors & others
In today's interconnected business landscape, collaborating with external partners is unavoidable. Network Access Control solutions ensure that these partners access only the necessary tools and data, enabling efficient collaboration without posing unnecessary risks to your network.
Manage access for short-term contractors & freelancers
The growing trend of project-based hiring means more temporary team members. With NAC, you can guarantee that these professionals only access resources relevant to their tasks. This approach balances the flexibility of short-term collaboration with the imperative of network security.
HOW WE HELP
NordLayer's multi-layered NAC approach
With NordLayer, you're not just getting a singular solution. You're gaining a multifaceted toolkit, designed to layer upon each other for advanced Network Access Control. Embrace the strength of stacking multiple access control options for optimal network security.
NordLayer provides robust control based on user identity. Not only does it integrate seamlessly with major identity management platforms like Google Workspace, Azure AD, Okta, OneLogin, and JumpCloud for secure user management, but it also facilitates:
- Network Segmentation: Decide which members and teams can or cannot access the network.
- Authorized Access: With Single Sign-On (SSO), biometric authentification, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), ensure that only the right people are accessing the network.
A dedicated server with a fixed IP address, provided by Nordlayer, enables organizations to do IP allowlisting. That is needed to ensure that your work tools and sensitive resources are accessed only by those who connect through organizations' Virtual Private Gateways.
NordLayer assesses devices based on OS type, version, and even the presence of specific files. Device accounts that are jailbroken (or rooted) or don't align with security requirements are denied to access the network.
NordLayer also allows you to restrict access based on the app version. This ensures that only devices with the latest NordLayer app – equipped with the newest features and in line with all enforced security policies – can access the network.
Location-based access control is on the horizon. This feature assesses a user's IP address location before granting network access. If a device's location isn't on the approved list, its access will be restricted.
FEATURES
Build your own NAC solution with our features
Our NAC features can help your IT admins build comprehensive access policies ideally suited to your organization.
SSO
2FA
Biometric authentication
Dedicated IP
Network segmentation
Smart Remote Access
Jailbroken device detection
Nordlayer by numbers
11,000+
Business protected
10 min
Average time to deploy
30+
Global service locations
4.7
Customers happiness
Learn more about Access Control
Access control is a fundamental component of network security, acting as the first line of defense against unauthorized access and potential threats. It ensures that only authenticated and authorized users and devices can access network resources, thereby protecting sensitive information from being compromised.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Frequently asked questions
Businesses should adopt a NAC solution to safeguard their network security infrastructure against cyber attacks from malicious users and infiltration from rogue agents and malware. NAC solutions assist in flagging any unauthorized access attempts or perimeter breaches so admins can deal with them immediately.
Implementing a NAC system requires understanding several facets of Network Access Control that admins can put into place across the business infrastructure. In environments with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, adopting NAC effectively involves using a comprehensive network security solution. This solution should encompass features that directly contribute to access control and enhanced oversight over the devices accessing the network.
NAC helps mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to the network, which could lead to data theft or leak, and provides greater visibility for admins to monitor activity, especially in a BYOD setup. Understanding who is accessing the corporate network is key to protecting vital assets, data, and resources from falling into the wrong hands.
There are generally two main strands of NAC, which are both key to fundamental network security:
Pre-admission: Upon receiving a request from a user or device to access the network, pre-admission NAC assesses the attempt and grants entry based on proof of compliance with the network’s security policies — usually through authentication methods like 2FA or biometrics.
Post-admission: If the user or device attempts to access another network area from within, post-admission NAC can restrict movement before further authentication to limit damage from a cyberattack.
NordLayer is an adaptive network security solution that comprises pre-admission and post-admission features, designed to ensure only authorized users and endpoints can access specific areas of the business network.