NAC alternatives hit the mark

Product Test and Buyer's Guide This newsletter is sponsored by PlateSpin New Executive Guide Network World has recently published an executive guide entitled "Virtualization Meets Reality". Find out the 8 key challenges of virtualizing your data center. Download it now! Product Test and Buyer's Guide, 07/31/07 NAC alternatives hit the mark By Mandy Andress Network-access control is a buzzword of epic proportion. And as is the case with much of larger-than-life industry vernacular, products with even the slightest aspect of access control are being pitched by their makers as integral components of the NAC fray. Network World VoIP and Convergence Buyer's Guide Find the right products for your enterprise - fast. Our extensive database of detailed product information will quickly help you pinpoint the hardware or software you need to build out a converged voice and data network. With the side-by-side comparison tool you can evaluate product features and make the best decision for your enterprise. Click here to go to the Buyer's Guide now. In April, we assessed the role that more than 30 NAC products play in the larger NAC schemes defined by Cisco's Network Access Control (CNAC) initiative or the Trusted Network Connect (TNC) working group of the Trusted Computing Group (see "What can NAC do for you now?"). We found that the basic functions of NAC can be carried out within CNAC or TNC, but not all IT shops have the time, inclination, network infrastructure or resources to deploy a full-blown NAC framework. Enter the all-in-one approach to NAC -- single products that provide authentication and authorization, endpoint-security assessment, NAC policy enforcement and overall management. We tested 13 products from Bradford Networks, Check Point Softwaer, Cisco, ConSentry Networks, ForeScout Technologies, InfoExpress, Juniper Networks, Lockdown Networks, McAfee, StillSecure, Symantec, Trend Micro and Vernier Networks. For more on this test, please click here.

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Contact the author: Andress is a member of the Network World Lab Alliance, a cooperative of the premier testers in the network industry, each bringing to bear years of practical experience on every test. For more Lab Alliance information, including what it takes to become a partner, go to www.networkworld.com/alliance. This newsletter is sponsored by PlateSpin New Executive Guide Network World has recently published an executive guide entitled "Virtualization Meets Reality". Find out the 8 key challenges of virtualizing your data center. Download it now! BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: security.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007