IT CHALLENGES

Today’s dynamic network environments pose new challenges every day. With an increasingly mobile population, organizations are facing new threats. Viruses, worms, spyware, and noncompliant software loaded onto computers gain access to the network and in turn contaminate it. As networks continue to add new access options, remote users, and increased geographical diversity, network administrators face a number of user, device and policy challenges that are addressed by Bradford’s comprehensive NAC solutions.

User Challenges

Authenticate users Verify each network user’s identity using industry standard authentication protocols like 802.1x Provide guest access Enforce a standard method for giving guests and contractors easy access to appropriate network resources Control user access by role Provide users with network access based on parameters assigned to a distinct group of which they are a part Find and quarantine suspect users Identify and isolate suspect users from the production network by switching them to a special section of the network

Device challenges

Register devices Identify all network devices, like laptops, desktops, servers, printers and IP phones, as registered devices on your network. Prevent infected machines from connecting and spreading viruses Automatically check for required software and the latest virus definitions and quarantine the machine if it fails Enable users to update non-compliant laptops themselves Reduce calls to the help desk by having users follow instruction to update their systems themselves if they fail to gain access Locate missing computers Have lost or stolen computers trigger a notification when they are reconnected to the network Identify and locate rogue devices Recognize and physically locate unauthorized devices on the network

Policy challenges

Make wired and wireless access and enforcement the same Users have a single, consistent access process and the same security profile whether they connect using a wired or wireless port Enforce network usage policies Take automatic action to stop users if they violate policies such as using too much bandwidth or illegal file sharing Track user and device connectivity Keep detailed, historical logs of every user’s connection to the network to document activity and respond to violations Generate reports to satisfy regulatory compliance audits Create detailed reports to document compliance with SOX, HIPAA, SAS70, GLBA, CALEA, and other regulations