A lot of the time, when working with third-party vendors or even dealing with consultants granting access to your database is risky. Which is where network access gateways (NAGs) are invaluable.
Aside from this when working with older applications that do not have remote access or cloud storage, NAG is a no-brainer solution to creating a workspace with applications that are easily accessible.
That said, if you’re unaware of what network access gateways are, don’t worry, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know.
What is NAG or a Network Access Gateway?
A network access gateway is a network component that allows external users or systems that are not part of your internal network or database access to it acting as a middleman.
This way external users have access to your system and legacy applications that you cannot operate on a cloud typically. This can be invaluable for projects that require collaboration or for developers and data engineers who need access to sensitive or confidential information.
Alongside this, with NAP you can add Role Based Access Control (RBAC), traffic segregation, and SSL. TSL protocols for encryption. What this does is help dramatically minimize any risks of data breaches or attacks. Also, it can help a lot with industry compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS.
Why Do You Need NAG or a Network Access Gateway?
Cloud Storage for Legacy Software and Systems
One challenge with integrating legacy systems into cloud storage is having reliable, secure access. Network Access Gateways (NAGs) provide an effective solution by acting as an intermediary between legacy software and cloud environments, helping secure data transfer and connectivity.
Think it's just like a traditional firewall? Not quite! Here’s how it differs.
NAGs establish secure tunnels and use protocols like TLS to encrypt data traffic. They also make sure there is compatibility through API mapping and load balancing, all while maintaining strict identity verification and access control—guaranteeing that only authorized users can interact with cloud storage, regardless of system age.
Better Application Access and Security
Many users find managing application access security tedious and disruptive. However, with Network Access Gateways (NAGs), you can streamline application access while having complete security across systems.
NAGs utilize multi-factor authentication and role-based policies to grant access but with finer control over network behavior.
How do they do this? Well, they hey monitor real-time traffic, enforce encryption protocols like IPsec, and implement dynamic access control. This helps make sure that access is granted based on current conditions like device integrity and location, strengthening both security and usability across applications.
IoT Gateways for Devices, Applications and Networks
A frequent concern with IoT deployments is having secure and efficient connectivity among devices, applications, and networks. Network Access Gateways (NAGs) enhance IoT gateways by providing a complete framework for managing data traffic and security.
NAGs facilitate reliable integration by enforcing policy-based access control and adding secure data transmission using protocols like TLS.
They also perform data aggregation and filtering at the edge, minimizing latency and bandwidth usage. This means your IoT infrastructure becomes more secure and efficient, having reliable communication across diverse devices and applications.
Using Voice over IP (VoIP)
A common concern with Voice over IP (VoIP) is having both quality and security in communication. However, Network Access Gateways (NAGs) enhance VoIP functionality by providing essential control over data traffic and connection integrity.
NAGs manage Quality of Service (QoS) protocols, prioritizing voice packets to minimize latency and jitter during calls.
They also enforce security measures like encryption and session border control, protecting against eavesdropping and denial-of-service attacks. This creates a more reliable VoIP experience, making sure that voice communications remain clear and secure across diverse networks.
Helps You Work With a Wider Range of Network Protocols
A common challenge when integrating diverse devices is managing compatibility across various network protocols. However, Network Access Gateways (NAGs) empower you to work with a broader range of protocols, enhancing connectivity and interoperability.
NAGs support multiple communication standards, such as HTTP, MQTT, and CoAP, allowing devices to communicate without compatibility issues. They also facilitate protocol translation and data normalization, allowing disparate systems to exchange information effortlessly.
This capability helps your network scale and adapt to new technologies, streamlining operations while maintaining impressive security and performance.
Helps Monitor Network Activities
With monitoring network activities, an issue people face is the overwhelming amount of data generated. This makes getting any actionable insights difficult.
However, Network Access Gateways (NAGs) streamline this process by providing essential visibility and control.
Sound like basic network monitoring? Understandable! But here’s where it excels.
NAGs utilize advanced analytics and real-time logging to track traffic patterns, helping spot anomalies and potential threats.
They implement protocols such as SNMP and NetFlow for detailed reporting and analysis. By centralizing data collection and applying machine learning algorithms, NAGs enhance your ability to monitor, secure, and optimize network performance effectively.
Helps Create a Secure Internet Gateway for Better Cyber Defense
Implementing a secure Internet gateway can significantly bolster your cyber defense posture. But it’s not how it does that completely — here’s how it enhances security.
A secure Internet gateway employs advanced threat intelligence and real-time monitoring to analyze web traffic. It leverages techniques such as URL filtering, malware detection, and data loss prevention to identify and block malicious content.
By integrating with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, it adds a lot more visibility, helping organizations respond swiftly to threats while maintaining compliance with security policies.
What Are The Limitations of NAG or Network Access Gateway?
That’s not to say that NAG does not come with its own set of limitations, NAG just like any software has its own set of drawbacks.
For instance, NAGs can struggle with scalability when managing a vast number of simultaneous connections. Why is this a problem? Well, it can lead to performance bottlenecks.
Aside from this some issues could also be difficulty handling complex, multi-cloud environments, resulting in potential integration issues.
Additionally, NAGs rely heavily on properly configured policies; misconfigurations can expose networks to risks. Understanding these limitations is important in creating a complete network security strategy while maximizing the benefits of NAGs.
Why Choose Infisign for Using NAG or a Network Access Gateway for Your Company?
Although network access gateways, are quite practical for working with vendors and only granting access to select devices, from a more macro level it’s a security protocol to help keep sensitive information safe.
At Infisign, we specialize in creating IAM and CIAM frameworks, to help you streamline and reduce the cost of administrative work. While this may seem insignificant if you deal with Fortune 500 companies, staying in line with compliance laws while keeping things affordable can make a huge difference.
Want to know more about how Infisign NAG can be a cost-effective solution? Reach out for a free consultation call to know more.
