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How to Prep for NAC

How to Prep for NAC
Written By
eWEEK EDITORS
eWEEK EDITORS
May 28, 2012
2 minute read
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How to Prep for NAC

How to Prep for NAC

One NAC component is the endpoint, which requests network access and needs its system health checked. This could be a NAP client running Windows Vista or another kind of TNC client.


How to Prep for NAC – Policy Decision Point

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A second NAC component is the policy decision point, a system that evaluates the endpoint and decides what kind of access it should get to the network. This can be a NAP server such as a Microsoft Network Policy Server or another kind of TNC server.


How to Prep for NAC – Policy Enforcement Point

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Finally, a NAC system needs a policy enforcement point that can deny or limit network access based on policies fed to it from the policy decision point. This could be a switch, router, VPN gateway or other network element with enforcement capabilities.


How to Prep for NAC – Step One

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To prepare for a NAC, three steps are critical. First, identify what resources you want to protect.


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How to Prep for NAC – Step Two

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Inventory the endpoints connected to your network and, optionally, the authorized users.


How to Prep for NAC – Step Three

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Finally, decide on policies for what constitutes a healthy endpoint on your network and what network access you want to grant based on user identity and endpoint health.


How to Prep for NAC – Incremental Approach

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You may want to take an incremental approach to deployment, starting with certain especially risky or especially sensitive parts of your network.


How to Prep for NAC – See More Slideshows Like This One

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