Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC)
News @ Cisco: Cisco, Anti-Virus Vendors Discuss Milestone Initiative for Network Security:
The Cisco Self-Defending Network Initiative aims to dramatically improve the ability of networks to identify, defend against, and adapt to growing security threats. As part of this strategic initiative, Cisco is working in conjunction with Network Associates, Symantec and Trend Micro to launch the Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC) program.
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NAC is an automated identity and security assessment mechanism that leverages partnerships with the anti-virus vendors. When a device connects to a network, it is checked to see if it is compliant with corporate security policy. NAC prevents non-compliant end points from joining the larger network and possibly infecting other machines.
Network Associates, Symantec and Trend Micro will license the Cisco Trust Agent, which communicates the current policy state of an end point to a policy server. Non-compliant machines can then be quickly brought into compliance with automated downloads of anti-virus software. NAC may also be implemented with the Cisco Security Agent, a new behavioral-based intrusion prevention technology that prevents malicious activity while permitting activity compliant with established security policies.
