In the modern workplace, employees are no longer dependent on office-provided devices. Personal laptops, trusted smartphones, and beloved tablets are now primary tools for completing various tasks. According to Jobera, 50.3% of employees even use their personal devices for work purposes.
Flexible and practical, certainly. However, behind that convenience lies a risk that is often overlooked: the more devices connected, the greater the opportunity for cyber threats to enter.
This is where Network Access Control (NAC) comes in as a crucial solution. It’s not just a security tool; it’s an intelligent supervisor that ensures only secure devices are allowed to connect to your company’s network.
What is Network Access Control?
Network Access Control (NAC) is a technology that decides who—and what devices—are allowed into a company’s network. Each time a device attempts to connect, NAC verifies its identity and checks compliance with security policies. If it passes, access is granted. If not, the connection can be limited or denied.
In short, NAC serves as the main gatekeeper that preserves the integrity of your network.
Why Network Access Control is Critical for Business Security?
The more devices connect to your network, the more risks your business takes on. A laptop without the latest patch, a smartphone lacking proper protection, or an unattended IoT device can all serve as open doors for attackers. Sometimes, just one unprotected device is enough to let malware in or trigger a breach that threatens both data and day-to-day operations.
This importance becomes even clearer in critical industries like healthcare, where patient data is at stake. Recently, more than one million medical IoT devices—including MRI and X-ray machines—were exposed online, leaking highly sensitive information. Imagine if something like this happened within your company network: financial losses may eventually be recovered, but a damaged reputation is far harder to repair.
This is where NAC proves invaluable. By verifying the identity and security posture of every device before granting access, NAC ensures that only safe connections get through. The result? Businesses can embrace BYOD and IoT flexibility without compromising security.
The 5 Pillars of Network Access Control
Behind the scenes, NAC is more than just a system that grants or denies access. It runs on a set of key components that work together to keep networks secure yet flexible. Each one plays a vital role, from verifying identities to ensuring regulatory compliance.
So, what are these pillars? Here’s the breakdown:
1. User & Device Authentication
Every device must prove who it is before joining the network. NAC validates both users and devices, ensuring that only trusted entities can connect—keeping rogue devices from slipping through unnoticed.
2. Role-Based Access Policies
Not every user needs full access. NAC allows businesses to define rules based on roles, locations, or device types. This ensures employees only access what’s relevant to their work, while sensitive data remains safeguarded.
3. Real-Time Monitoring & Control
NAC doesn’t stop once a device connects. It continuously monitors network activity in real-time, flagging suspicious behaviour and restricting access when necessary—stopping threats before they spread.
4. Regulatory Compliance
Many industries must meet strict security standards, like ISO 27001 or HIPAA. NAC helps ensure that connected devices comply automatically, turning compliance from a box-checking exercise into a real safeguard.
5. Integration with Other Security Solutions
NAC doesn’t operate in isolation. It integrates with firewalls, IDS/IPS, and identity management systems to create a layered defence—strengthening the overall response against increasingly complex threats.
Effectively running these five pillars takes more than theory—it requires the right solution. That’s why Ruijie Enterprise introduces RG-SMP Plus: a next-generation NAC platform built for today’s networks.
Ruijie RG-SMP Plus: Next-Gen Network Access Control
Ruijie RG-SMP Plus is a next-generation security platform designed to deliver comprehensive Network Access Control. It offers multi-method authentication, fine-grained access policies, and detailed tracking of every connected device.
With seamless integration into identity sources like Microsoft AD, Google Workspace, and LDAP, plus compatibility with third-party devices, RG-SMP Plus ensures smooth and secure access control across today’s complex network environments.
The Advantages of Ruijie RG-SMP Plus
Ruijie RG-SMP Plus delivers benefits that go beyond IT convenience—it elevates the experience for every network user. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Simple Management – Manage all devices through a single cloud-based platform, quick and hassle-free.
- High Performance – Support thousands of devices with seamless roaming that keeps connections stable.
- Smart Experience – Login pages adapt automatically to each device, with per-user bandwidth control.
- Strong Security – Automatically detect rogue APs and use unique PPSK credentials to prevent access leaks.
Secure Your Business Network with MBT
Mega Buana Teknologi (MBT), part of the CTI Group and the official distributor of Ruijie Enterprise solutions in Indonesia, brings RG-SMP Plus as a next-gen NAC solution tailored for industries including education, healthcare, banking, retail, and manufacturing. With an end-to-end approach, MBT delivers not only world-class technology but also services designed to fit the unique needs of each sector.
Curious about how Network Access Control can both protect and empower your business? Get in touch with the MBT team today and discover the solution that will secure your digital transformation journey.
Author: Danurdhara Suluh Prasasta
Content Writer Intern, CTI Group
