Public school systems are grappling with how to protect their networks and the stored data on them from the prying eyes of unauthorized users and are turning to NAC in large numbers to do so.

According to an annual survey by CDW Government (CDW-G), a systems integrator that caters to governmental agencies and public schools, 57% of more than 400 schools (kindergarten through grade 12) surveyed use NAC (Compare NAC products).

The primary goal of using the technology is to make sure endpoint applications are updated and systems are patched, and to give administrators a view of who is on the network and allow them to control that population.

So CDW-G is using a broad definition of NAC that includes post-connection continuous monitoring that keeps an eye on what admitted devices are doing. This is especially important in school environments where students may have the time and curiosity to try to tap into resources they’re not supposed to.

CDW-G recommends NAC to separate student and teacher access to the network, monitor and control how resources are used and enable identity-based control of users integrated in a single platform.

Money is the biggest barrier these networks face when they try to improve network security, with lack of staff coming in second.

Lack of NAC can actually be a deterrent to upgrading other aspects of the networks because IT staff has to spend time putting out fires that NAC could prevent from flaring up in the first place, the study says.

NAC is used in many college settings because it is well suited to bringing large numbers of unmanaged machines into compliance. In 66% of public schools, this problem is dealt with by denying any access to student machines - an inexpensive way to enforce the “deny all” option.

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