Cram Session: Network Access Control

After a healthy incubation period, network access control technology (or network admission control as it’s sometimes known) is showing promise as a crucial tool in helping customers keep their networks secure from both outside and insider threats. Now the trick is sorting through the various NAC approaches to find the best fit for your network.

We aim to help in that effort by pulling together the editorial resources of IDG, publisher of CIO, Computerworld, InfoWorld and Network World, whose reporters and contributors have been following NAC for years. On this Cram Session site, you’ll find the best NAC news, reviews, opinion, in-depth features and more from all of these publishers, so that you can quickly learn what you need to know to make an informed NAC decision. Whether you’re just looking to learn NAC basics or want to find the latest in-depth info, we’ll hook you up. And come back often, because we’ll keep updating the site with the latest NAC coverage from across the IDG enterprise landscape. Also, use the Share This Page tool above to bring this information to colleagues and partners who also need to learn more about NAC.

NAC 101

Helping you understand what network access control is, the problems it attempts to solve and some of the issues involved in deploying NAC.

NAC FAQ
If you’re new to NAC, here’s a good place to get a quick low-down on some basics. Read more...

Video: The skinny on NAC
Got 5 minutes? This video interview with NAC expert Steve Hultquist, principal with Infinite Summit, will give you a quick grounding in the NAC basics. View Now.

> More NAC 101

Hands-on Reviews

We put NAC tools to the test in our labs.

Aventail and F5 extend security reach to NAC
SSL VPN appliances mature from devices offering basic application support to enterprise-ready security jacks-of-all-trades.

ConSentry edges out Nevis in in-line NAC appliance test
Both devices offer increased access control with minimal impact on existing networks

> More Hands-on Reviews

Opinion

Industry experts debate the pros and cons of NAC.

The NAC train is leaving the station
Consultant Joel Snyder lays out the three main things he learned from his recent round of NAC tests.

Can you rely on Microsoft's Network Access Protection?
Consultant Jonathan Hassell examines how Microsoft’s NAP works and lays out the pros and cons.

> More Opinions

Case Studies

Reports from users in the field on their NAC deployment experiences.

We need NAC now:
Canadian school district taps start-up Nevis Networks for appliances that support NAC

Waiting on Microsoft:
Fulton County selects Microsoft's NAP scheme as the low-cost option, but deployment is predicated on SMS and Longhorn ship dates

> More Case Studies

Submit A StoryClick here to submit a story for consideration by Cram Session Editor, stories@cramsessionnac.com