Introduction

Mobility, cloud services, hybrid workforces, and an expanding universe of connected devices define the modern enterprise landscape. In this reality, traditional perimeter-based security models fall short. It is why Zero Trust, built on "never trust, always verify" and least privilege access, is now the gold standard for network security.

At the heart of Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA) lies Network Access Control (NAC), a foundational technology that governs who or what can connect to your network, under what conditions, and for how long. Unlike legacy NAC solutions focused on static policy enforcement, today’s NAC tools offer dynamic segmentation, real-time endpoint posture assessment, and seamless integration with identity and threat detection platforms.

This blog dives deep into:

• The evolving role of NAC in Zero Trust security strategies

• Must have NAC capabilities for identity-aware and risk-driven access

• A comparison of the Top 10 NAC Solutions in 2025, including strengths, limitations, and use cases

• How CloudNuro.ai complements NAC with SaaS visibility and governance for complete access control across your IT stack

Let’s begin with the fundamentals.

What Is Network Access Control (NAC)?

Network Access Control (NAC) refers to the policies, technologies, and systems used to monitor and control access to enterprise networks based on device identity, security posture, and user roles. Initially designed for wired networks and on-prem environments, NAC has evolved into a flexible access management framework.

Core Capabilities of NAC:

• Device Discovery: Detects and profiles all endpoints trying to connect, whether managed laptops or rogue IoT devices.

• Authentication and Authorization: Validates identity using credentials, certificates, or hardware signatures before granting access.

• Endpoint Posture Assessment: Checks if a device complies with corporate security policies (e.g., antivirus, patch levels, OS versions).

• Guest/BYOD Management: Allows secure onboarding of unmanaged devices without compromising network integrity.

• Segmentation & Quarantine: Applies role-based policies to segment traffic (via VLANs or SDN) or isolate non-compliant devices.

NAC vs. ZTNA

While both NAC and Zero Trust aim to reduce implicit trust, they serve different purposes:

• NAC enforces access control at the device/network level (L2/L3).

• ZTNA focuses on application-level access, especially for remote/cloud-based workloads.

Together, they deliver a layered defense approach, NAC validates the device, and ZTNA controls app access.

Key Features to Look for in a NAC Tool for Zero Trust

An NAC solution must go beyond basic device blocking to support Zero Trust effectively. Here are the essential features:

• Agent-based and Agentless Visibility: Discover managed and unmanaged devices across all segments.

• Device Posture Checks: Validate security configurations (e.g., antivirus, disk encryption, OS patching).

• Role-Based Access Policies: Enforce identity-aware rules via integrations with IdPs like Azure AD, Okta, or LDAP.

• Granular Segmentation: Use VLANs, microsegmentation, or software-defined networking (SDN) to restrict lateral movement.

• Guest and IoT Device Management: Provide easy onboarding and ongoing risk monitoring of non-corporate devices.

• SIEM and EDR Integration: Feed event data to tools like Splunk, CrowdStrike, or SentinelOne for correlated insights.

• Remote Deployment Capabilities: Support secure access for branch offices, remote users, and hybrid networks.

• Regulatory Compliance Mapping: Help organizations align with NIST 800-207, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.

Top 10 NAC Solutions for Zero Trust Implementation

1. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Overview: Cisco ISE is a robust enterprise-grade NAC platform for large, complex networks.

• Key Features:

• Deep integration with Cisco switches, routers, and firewalls

• TrustSec-based segmentation

• Posture assessment and remediation workflows

• Strengths: Highly scalable; strong enterprise integrations

• Limitations: Complex initial deployment; Cisco ecosystem preferred

• Use Cases: Global enterprises, finance, healthcare

• G2 Rating:  4.5/5 (48 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.3/5 (461 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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2. FortiNAC (Fortinet)

Overview: FortiNAC complements Fortinet’s Security Fabric for end-to-end Zero Trust enforcement.

• Key Features:

• Agentless discovery and monitoring

• Automated quarantine and remediation

• Integration with FortiGate and FortiAnalyzer

• Strengths: Native integration with Fortinet stack

• Limitations: May be less effective in multi-vendor environments

• Use Cases: Education, government, branch-heavy networks

• G2 Rating:  4.4/5 (20 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.6/5 (159 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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3. Aruba ClearPass (HPE)

Overview: Aruba’s ClearPass offers granular access control with flexible policy orchestration.

• Key Features:

• Context-aware access

• Device fingerprinting (ClearPass OnGuard)

• Integration with SD-Branch and cloud IdPs

• Strengths: Excellent for IoT and BYOD environments

• Limitations: Best deployed in Aruba/HPE networks

• Use Cases: Higher education, smart buildings, healthcare

• G2 Rating:  4.3/5 (42 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.6/5 (286 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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4. Forescout Platform

Overview: Known for agentless NAC, Forescout shines in environments with OT/IoT assets.

• Key Features:

• Real-time asset inventory

• Continuous compliance monitoring

• Integration with SIEM, EDR, and firewalls

• Strengths: Strong in industrial and critical infrastructure

• Limitations: Costly; requires expert tuning

• Use Cases: Energy, utilities, manufacturing

• G2 Rating:  4.5/5 (15 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.3/5 (271 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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5. Portnox CLEAR

Overview: Portnox offers cloud-native NAC-as-a-Service.

• Key Features:

• 100% cloud-based; no on-prem hardware needed

• Real-time risk scoring

• AD/Azure AD integration

• Strengths: Simple deployment; scalable for hybrid work

• Limitations: May lack deep on-prem visibility

• Use Cases: SMBs, remote-first enterprises

• G2 Rating:  4.4/5 (71 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.7/5 (23 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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6. Auconet BICS

Overview: Designed for large-scale enterprises, BICS supports legacy and modern systems.

• Key Features:

• Unified visibility across endpoints and legacy infrastructure

• Real-time access control enforcement

• API-based extensibility

• Strengths: Ideal for large or fragmented networks

• Limitations: UI is less intuitive; steeper learning curve

• Use Cases: Transportation, logistics, public sector

• Gartner Rating:  4.5/5 (4 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.6/5 (10 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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7. Macmon NAC

Overview: A flexible and GDPR-compliant NAC platform from Germany.

• Key Features:

• Intuitive GUI and API control

• VLAN management and policy enforcement

• Compliance dashboard (ISO, GDPR)

• Strengths: Regulatory alignment; strong support team

• Limitations: Limited U.S. presence

• Use Cases: European enterprises, SMEs

• Gartner Rating: 4.2/5 (31 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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8. SecureW2 JoinNow

Overview: A certificate-based access control platform focused on wireless security.

• Key Features:

• RADIUS-backed secure Wi-Fi onboarding

• EAP-TLS integration for passwordless auth

• AD and Google Workspace support

• Strengths: BYOD-friendly; secure onboarding at scale

• Limitations: Limited NAC beyond Wi-Fi

• Use Cases: Schools, universities, remote learning

• G2 Rating:  4.7/5 (72 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

• Screenshot:  

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9. ExtremeControl (Extreme Networks)

Overview: Offers policy-driven access control across wired and wireless networks.

• Key Features:

• Centralized access visibility

• SDN integration for dynamic segmentation

• Real-time analytics

• Strengths: Great for digital campuses and converged networks

• Limitations: Requires Extreme infrastructure for best results

• Use Cases: Smart cities, universities, digital offices

• G2 Rating:  4.5/5 (1 review)

• Gartner Rating: 4.0/5 (7 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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10. Keyfactor Command + NAC Integration

Overview: Combines machine identity management with access governance.

• Key Features:

• Certificate-based device identity

• Real-time revocation and renewal

• PKI integration across platforms

• Strengths: Strong machine identity enforcement

• Limitations: Requires an existing PKI program

• Use Cases: Financial services, regulated industries

• G2 Rating:  4.5/5 (56 reviews)

• Gartner Rating: 4.5/5 (31 reviews)

• Screenshot:

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NAC Tools Comparison Table

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Best Practices for NAC in Zero Trust Environments

1. Map Access by Role and Risk: Align network access with user identity, role, and endpoint posture. Use dynamic grouping to adapt in real time.

2. Combine NAC with Identity Providers: Integrate with Azure AD, Okta, or LDAP to enforce SSO and MFA before access.

3. Monitor Access Continuously: Use NAC logs to identify anomalies or lateral movement patterns. Integrate with SIEM/EDR.

4. Apply Segmentation Consistently: Enforce VLAN or SDN-based policies to isolate devices by department, function, or risk.

5. Secure Guest & BYOD Access: Ensure devices not owned by the org go through posture checks and time-bound access.

6. Extend NAC to Remote Locations: Leverage cloud-managed NAC to cover remote offices and VPN users.

7. Review Policies Periodically: Validate that access policies align with business needs and security risks.

FAQs

Q1: Is NAC still relevant in Zero Trust architecture?

Yes. NAC provides foundational device-level control and posture enforcement, which are critical for verifying trust before allowing access.

Q2: Can NAC control cloud or SaaS application access?

Not directly. NAC ensures endpoint compliance and security before accessing the network. CloudNuro or CASBs handle SaaS layer governance.

Q3: How do NAC solutions handle IoT or unmanaged devices?

Most NACs support agentless discovery, behavior profiling, and network segmentation to isolate high-risk devices.

Q4: Do NAC tools integrate with MFA or identity providers?

Yes. Leading NACs support RADIUS, SAML, LDAP, and IdPs like Azure AD or Okta.

Why CloudNuro.ai Complements NAC for SaaS Governance

While NAC tools control who and what connects to your enterprise network, they stop short at the SaaS layer. That’s where CloudNuro.ai steps in.

✅ User Visibility: Track login activity, usage trends, and app access beyond the firewall

✅ License Optimization: Identify unused licenses, shadow accounts, or over-provisioned roles

✅ Post-Access Insights: Map users to entitlements across Microsoft 365, ServiceNow, Salesforce, and more

✅ Governance Layer: Align NAC-level control with SaaS-level enforcement for a holistic Zero-Trust posture

Result? Complete visibility and enforcement, from device access to SaaS usage.

Conclusion

Network Access Control is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a critical component of any Zero Trust strategy. From posture checks to dynamic segmentation, the top NAC solutions listed here provide the security backbone modern enterprises need.

But stopping at device-level control is not enough.

CloudNuro.ai extends your governance by giving you complete visibility and control over your SaaS ecosystem, ensuring user access is appropriate, licensed, and secure.

➡️ Want to see how CloudNuro complements your NAC strategy?

Book a Free Demo and explore how we help you reduce SaaS waste, eliminate shadow IT, and enforce true Zero Trust.

Together, let’s secure every connection, from endpoint to app.

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