Just got done reading the transcript of yesterdays great NAC debate between Joel Snyder and Richard Stiennon.  As I predicted Snyder scored a knockout early on and it was mostly over from that point on.  The knockout came earlier than I expected though, right off the first question.  Each combatant was asked to define NAC and that was when it happened.  Richard brought an EPAC (end point access control) to a NAC fight.  That was akin to him bringing a rubber knife to a gun fight.  A quick bullet between the eyes by Snyder and it was almost painlessly over for Richard.

I have been preaching for some time about what I call complete NAC. That is a complete network access control solution, not just network admission control and certainly not end point access control.  It is not an evil plot to extend Cisco/Microsoft dominance and most importantly Richard, no one and let me say this again, no one has ever said that NAC negates the need for a layered security model.  NAC is just another layer in that model.  Richard’s comments deriding the .edu and .mil markets were also laughable.  Richard, have you ever heard the term military grade?  Are you seriously trying to say that enterprises take security more seriously than the military does?  Come on now Richard.

The bottom line is Joel Snyder is not only a sharp dude technically, but is street savvy enough to run circles around my friend Richard.  He made Richard stay focused on the question at hand, did not let him wander and so Richard had to face reality a bit. I am sure Richard will still say NAC is useless and will admonish people about hanging out with the likes of the StillSecure crowd, but I guess some things will just never change.  Except, I don’t think Richard will be in anymore of these bouts.  Maybe he can start selling a grill that takes the fat out of meat or perhaps a reality TV show like the other washed up palookas ?