Portnox Cloud offers network access control (NAC) as a cloud-hosted SaaS solution that enables rapid deployment of basic NAC capabilities. Although the capabilities are more limited than some NAC competitors, the quick deployment and reduced IT labor costs make Portnox Cloud an attractive solution for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To compare Portnox Cloud against competitors, see our complete list of top network access control (NAC) solutions<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox is a private company that specializes in network access security with nearly 1,000 customers and closed a Series A fundraising with Elsewhere Partners for $22 million in 2022. Founded in 2007, Por<\/a>t<\/a>nox<\/a> began selling a software-based NAC solution to be used in local networks. Since then Portnox continued to add capabilities, launched the first cloud-native NAC in 2017, and now offers a NAC SaaS solution, Portnox Cloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox Cloud offers a cloud-native SaaS NAC solution that can be implemented in three different levels:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox Cloud works on all types of connections (wired, WiFi, virtual private network [VPN]). RADIUS and TACACS+ apply to specific types of endpoints, but the ZTNA-as-a-Service product works for all kinds of devices, including Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) endpoints, Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, operations technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), and industrial IoT (IIoT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Portnox Cloud is the current focus of Portnox, they also continue to offer on-premises Portnox Core<\/a>. This self-managed NAC solution loses many of the advantages of SaaS (low maintenance, rapid setup, etc.) but allows organizations to maintain full control over the deployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox does not require an agent. Agentless options use root certificates, simple certificate enrollment protocol (SCEP), Microsoft InTune integration, and EAP-TLS 802.1x authentication to gather endpoint information for reporting and enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox Cloud\u2019s ZTNA-as-a-Service provides an option for AgentP<\/a>, an agent that installs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or Linux. The agent does not make any changes to the endpoint<\/a>, so it will be suitable for BYOD, but it provides valuable information into the status of the device such as location data, dangerous applications, jail-broken devices, and OS versions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a cloud-based SaaS application, Portnox Cloud offers NAC protection for unlimited devices and users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox hosts their services within Microsoft\u2019s Azure and shares the inherent storage and physical access certifications achieved by Microsoft. For example, encryption keys, administrator passwords, and other critical information are stored in the Azure Key Vault in FIPS 140-2 Level 2-validated hardware security modules (HSMs). Portnox publishes their Security Architecture and Principles<\/a> for customer review and Portnox Cloud (formerly known as Clear) holds System and Organization Controls (SOC) 2 Type II certification<\/a> for the NAC-as-a-Service platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Portnox Cloud ZTNA solution integrates with SIEM and other security tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox Cloud is available as a SaaS product. However, local RADIUS instances can be established to maintain protection even when internet connections are broken. The Portnox TACACS+ deployment also requires a virtual appliance to be downloaded and installed in monitored local networks<\/a> to ensure proper auditing trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portnox offers a 30-day free trial<\/a> and some of the most transparent pricing<\/a> in the NAC market:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several add-on packages are also available, such as \u201cwhite-glove\u201d managed onboarding service available for $3,500, extended guest account packages, or extended device data retention for $0.99 per device per year for each additional 30 (RADIUS+) to 45 (ZTNA) days. Discounts are also available for education and non-profit customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Organizations that need quick deployment or lack the IT personnel to install and manage a NAC should consider Portnox Cloud\u2019s NAC SaaS offering. The rapid deployment and decreased IT support requirements make this product a strong contender for organizations of all sizes.<\/p>\n\n\nWho Is Portnox?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bottom Line: Best Option for Turnkey NAC Deployment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n