Network Access Control For Dummies®

2.1. What Are the Reasons for NAC?

Companies need to deploy a NAC solution for many reasons:

• Some of these reasons are positive, such as

  • Leaps in business

  • Productivity

  • Technology

• Some reasons are negative, such as

  • Hackers

  • Information poachers

  • Identity thieves

  • Data-nappers

Both reasons for NAC dictate greater control over networks, access to those networks, and who requires network access.

Other grounds for deploying NAC might be completely business- or market-driven, such as to address

• Guest access

• Outsourcing

• Business continuity

Still other purposes are driven by industry or government, such as regulatory compliance and audits.

Ask yourself (and your business) a few questions: Who needs controlled access to your network? What driving forces dictate the need to control access?

Regardless of industry, size, or demand, NAC is fast becoming a requirement. But you need to understand the reasons and forces behind the motivation to deploy NAC so that you can best match a NAC solution to your need.