One of the most critical components of a robust security strategy is Identity and Access Management (IAM). Within the IAM framework, Network Access Control (NAC) plays a pivotal role in ensuring that only the right entities gain access to network resources. This blog post explores how NAC integrates into the IAM ecosystem, enhancing security by controlling access based on identity.
Introduction to Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM is a framework that ensures the right individuals can access the appropriate resources at the right times for the right reasons. It involves various processes and technologies designed to manage digital identities and regulate user access within an organization. IAM systems provide administrators with the tools to change user roles, track user activities, create reports on those activities, and enforce policies on an ongoing basis. The core functions of IAM include authentication, authorization, and user management.
What is Network Access Control (NAC)?
Network Access Control (NAC) is a security solution that enforces policy on devices that attempt to access network resources. NAC can enforce policies across all users and devices, ensuring compliance with security policies before access is granted. It verifies the security posture of the device, determining whether it should be allowed on the network, placed in a quarantined area, or denied access outright. This capability makes NAC a crucial subset of the broader IAM framework.
The Role of NAC in IAM
The integration of NAC into the IAM ecosystem enhances the security posture of an organization by adding a layer of defense that controls access at the entry point – the network. Here’s how NAC fits into IAM:
- Authentication and Authorization: While IAM manages user identities and controls what users can do within a system, NAC uses this identity information to make real-time decisions about network access. It checks credentials and ensures that the device complies with security policies, effectively linking a user’s identity with device security before granting network access.
- Policy Enforcement: NAC solutions enforce security policies across all connected devices. For instance, if a device does not have the latest security patches, NAC can deny access, require the user to update the device, or redirect the user to a remediation network where the necessary updates can be applied. This level of control is essential in preventing compromised devices from accessing sensitive resources.
- Visibility and Monitoring: NAC provides comprehensive visibility into every device connected to the network, regardless of whether access was granted or denied. This visibility is crucial for effective network management and security, allowing administrators to monitor connections in real-time and respond to potential threats more quickly.
- Compliance and Posture Assessment: Many organizations are subject to regulatory requirements that dictate stringent access controls and security policies. NAC helps in maintaining compliance by ensuring that all devices meet the necessary standards before they are allowed network access. This ongoing assessment of device posture against compliance standards is a key function of NAC within the IAM ecosystem.
Benefits of Integrating NAC with IAM
Integrating NAC with IAM offers numerous benefits that enhance organizational security:
- Strengthened Security: By linking device security with user identity, organizations can ensure a more comprehensive security approach that mitigates the risk of data breaches.
- Enhanced Compliance: Automated compliance functions help organizations meet regulatory requirements more efficiently and with less administrative burden.
- Improved Network Visibility and Control: Real-time visibility into the devices on the network allows for better control and faster response to security incidents.
- Scalability and Flexibility: As organizational needs change, NAC can scale and adapt to new security policies and standards, supporting a dynamic security environment.
NAC is a vital component of the IAM ecosystem that extends the reach of traditional IAM functions to the network perimeter. By controlling access based on both user identity and device compliance, NAC enhances an organization’s ability to defend against both internal and external threats. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the role of NAC in IAM will remain indispensable in creating a secure, compliant, and efficient IT environment.
| Cloud Native | Faux Cloud | |
| Infrastructure | Provided, paid, and managed by the vendor; mostly invisible to anyone utilizing the service | Provided, paid, and managed by you through your own AWS or Azure account |
| Implementation | Quick time to value; much of the work is invisible to you | Depends on the complexity of the app, but it is your responsibility to do the work or pay someone else to do it |
| Pricing | Subscription with lower up-front cost | Perpetual license with expensive up-front cost that are amortized over time.
(Note: many vendors are moving away from perpetual licensing for on-prem or faux cloud products, but as they do, their customers are getting the worst of both worlds – paying more annually while still being responsible for on-going maintenance of the product) |
| Total Cost of Ownership | The price of the product reflects the genuine cost of ownership | The price of the product is only one (and sometimes only a small) part of the total cost that is reflected in the staff time and public cloud expenses; in many instances, you may not even know what it is going to cost you until it is too late |
| Vendor Lock-In | Easy to switch to another vendor should your business needs change | Expensive license, deployment and maintenance costs make switching prohibitive, often for years |
| Access | Access anywhere via browser with internet connection | On-premises model often requires access via VPN
(Note: what happens when there is a problem with your solution and your VPN is configured to use your on-premises system? Sounds like someone is driving into the office!) |
| Scalability | Automatically scales with usage | Customer must increase capacity to keep up with usage |
| Updates | Vendor regularly updates the underlying components such as servers, databases, etc. This process will often be invisible to you. | You are responsible for ensuring that the entire tech stack – components, databases, servers, network – is updated with the latest patches |
| Upgrades | You seamlessly and transparently reap the benefit of new features, enhancements, and other improvements with zero effort | Any upgrade requires you to install, test, and then deploy the upgrade in production, often during nights and weekends in case something goes wrong |
| Accountability | The vendor takes ownership of the uptime and security, performance, and availability of the service | Apart from the infrastructure as a service, you are on the hook for the performance, health, security, and availability of the solution, lock stock and barrel |
About Version 2
Version 2 is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company develops and distributes IT products for Internet and IP-based networks, including communication systems, Internet software, security, network, and media products. Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.
About Portnox
Portnox provides simple-to-deploy, operate and maintain network access control, security and visibility solutions. Portnox software can be deployed on-premises, as a cloud-delivered service, or in hybrid mode. It is agentless and vendor-agnostic, allowing organizations to maximize their existing network and cybersecurity investments. Hundreds of enterprises around the world rely on Portnox for network visibility, cybersecurity policy enforcement and regulatory compliance. The company has been recognized for its innovations by Info Security Products Guide, Cyber Security Excellence Awards, IoT Innovator Awards, Computing Security Awards, Best of Interop ITX and Cyber Defense Magazine. Portnox has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For information visit http://www.portnox.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.。
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