Implementing NAP and NAC Security Technologies: The Complete Guide to Network Access Control

1.2. Is There a Cisco NAC Alliance Program?

Just as Trusted Computer Group has its Trusted Network Connect alliance to support NAC/NAP standards, Cisco has its own program to promote interoperability with Cisco NAC.

Per Cisco, its Cisco NAC Program is described as follows:

The Network Admission Control (NAC) Program shares Cisco technology with third-party participants and allows them to integrate their solutions to the NAC architecture. Program participants design and sell security solutions that incorporate features compatible with the NAC infrastructure, supporting and enhancing an overall admission control solution.

There is a key difference you will note between Cisco's program and TCG's. TCG's is encouraging vendors to comply with a common standard, while Cisco is soliciting vendors to interoperate with its NAC infrastructure. What does this mean for enterprises? Well, it really depends on what your NAC plans are, what type of infrastructure you have in place, and what type of technologies you use. If you are a Cisco shop, and you use software that is a part Cisco's NAC program, you may not care that Cisco doesn't adhere to the TNC standard. In fact, in that case, it may not really matter for at least a while, or maybe for quite some time. The adage "No one ever got fired for choosing Cisco" still runs true with a lot of companies.

Cisco has broken up its partners into two different groups: those that are NAC-certified and are actively shipping product, and those that are ...