How can you control access to cloud resources across multiple devices?

1 What is CNAC?

CNAC is the process of managing and enforcing policies and rules that define who, what, when, where, and how devices and users can access cloud resources. CNAC aims to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, compliance violations, and network attacks. CNAC can also help you monitor and audit the activities and performance of your cloud network.

2 Why is CNAC important?

CNAC is essential for cloud environments due to their complexity and dynamism. Cloud resources can be spread across multiple locations, platforms, and providers, and users and devices can access them from any device or location. CNAC ensures consistent control over the cloud network, verifying user identity and credentials before granting access. It also applies the principle of least privilege, granting only the minimum level of access required. Additionally, CNAC segments and isolates cloud resources based on their sensitivity and function, encrypts data in transit and at rest, and detects and responds to any anomalies or threats on the cloud network.

3 How to implement CNAC?

There are various methods and tools that you can use to implement CNAC, depending on your cloud architecture, network topology, and security requirements. For example, Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions are software or services that manage authentication, authorization, and administration of users and devices on your cloud network. IAM solutions can use passwords, tokens, certificates, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication to verify identity and credentials. Network Access Control (NAC) solutions are hardware or software that control access to your cloud network based on predefined policies and rules. They can scan and evaluate the security posture of devices before allowing or denying access. Additionally, Software-defined Perimeter (SDP) solutions create a secure and encrypted connection between authorized users and devices and cloud resources. SDP solutions use a zero-trust model which assumes all devices and users are untrusted until proven otherwise. Furthermore, they can dynamically grant or revoke access to cloud resources based on context and behavior of users and devices. Finally, SDP solutions can also hide your cloud resources from the public internet, reducing the attack surface.

4 What are the benefits of CNAC?

CNAC can provide numerous advantages for your network security, including enhanced visibility and control, reduced risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, compliance violations, and network attacks. Additionally, CNAC can improve user and device productivity and performance, simplify network management and administration, and support business agility and scalability.

5 What are the challenges of CNAC?

CNAC can present some difficulties for your network security, such as increasing the complexity and cost of your network infrastructure and operations, requiring the integration and coordination of multiple tools and systems, and demanding the constant update and maintenance of your policies and rules. Additionally, you must consider the trade-off between security and usability, as well as adapt to the changing threats and regulations in the cloud.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?