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

1.1. Who Is the Trusted Computing Group?

Inevitably, if you are researching NAC/NAP, you will come across information about the Trusted Computer Group (TCG).

The TCG describes itself as follows:

The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) is a not-for-profit organization formed to develop, define, and promote open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies, including hardware building blocks and software interfaces, across multiple platforms, peripherals, and devices. TCG specifications will enable more secure computing environments without compromising functional integrity, privacy, or individual rights. The primary goal is to help users protect their information assets (data, passwords, keys, and so on) from compromise due to external software attack and physical theft. TCG has adopted the specifications of TCPA [Trusted Computing Platform Alliance] and will both enhance these specifications and extend the specifications across multiple platforms such as servers, PDAs, and digital phones. In addition, TCG will create TCG software interface specifications to enable broad industry adoption.

So, what does this mean? Well, it means they essentially try to create standards that different companies and technologies would use to allow for interoperability between products.

Why is this important? Think of it from a Wi-Fi perspective. If every Wi-Fi vendor used its own, non-standards-based technology, then there would be big problems. Users utilizing Dell Wi-Fi ...