Network Access Control For Dummies®

16.1. Understand NAC

First, before proceeding with a NAC plan of any sort, you need to understand the technologies and the market. You don't need to take a deep-dive look at the different vendor technologies at this point, but rather a high-level review of marketing materials and data sheets from all the various vendors so that you can get a sense of the type of approach each vendor takes. Also, many analysts and trade journals track the NAC market closely, and these publications can provide an impartial view of all the primary competitors and approaches.

By the way, because you're holding this book in your hands, you've already taken the first step towards educating yourself, so read through this thoroughly and start thinking about how NAC can help your organization reach its short- and long-term security goals. Reach out to colleagues in the industry who have already deployed NAC, too. They can give you good insights into what to look out for and how NAC has helped them. You may find their input particularly valuable if they've already gone through the implementation process.