network access protection (NAC) (NAP)

Network Access Protection (NAP) is a concept for network security, comparable to Network Access Control( NAC). Network Access Protection is a concept from Microsoft, in contrast to which the NAC concept is offered by various companies.

Network Access Protection is focused on the operating system, in contrast to Network Access Control, which is focused on the network components. Both concepts check the end devices for compliance during their authentication. The NAP concept checks security patches and virus scanners, and whether they are installed and still up-to-date. If the systems do not comply with the current security status, they are updated.

In the NAP concept, the network security with its guidelines is defined in what the individual users are allowed to do and what they have access to.