Network complexity is growing every day.
If you are an IT security administrator, you already know the struggle of securing access across countless devices, remote users, and cloud services. The risks are even higher when you lack real-time visibility or cannot enforce consistent network policies.
It is no longer just about plugging gaps or managing occasional guest access. The work is relentless, and the pressure to protect critical data never lets up.
According to CyberEdge Group, an eye-opening 84% of organizations have experienced at least one cyberattack in the last year, which shows just how critical network access control solutions have become. When so many organizations are being targeted, your approach to access control cannot be an afterthought.
Finding the right network access control software can transform your workflow, strengthening security while saving you precious time.
In this article, I am going to review the best network access control software for secure, hassle-free network protection.
I’ll break down top-rated solutions, including features, pros, and cons, so you can make an informed choice.
If you are ready to streamline access management and boost security in 2025, this guide is for you.
Let’s get started.
Quick Summary:
| # | Software | Target Users |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NordLayer → | IT pros securing hybrid or remote workforces |
| 2 | Cisco → | Enterprises needing robust, scalable network security |
| 3 | Portnox → | IT/security teams wanting easy cloud-based zero trust |
| 4 | Aruba Networks → | IT pros needing detailed device oversight and control |
| 5 | Ivanti → | Managers securing remote/hybrid workforces easily |
1. NordLayer
Worried about keeping your network secure and compliant?
NordLayer’s platform helps you connect your remote team securely using enterprise-grade VPN and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) controls. It stops unwanted users and reduces cyber threats from day one.
Using cloud-native tools, NordLayer cuts IT maintenance costs and deploys in minutes, not months. Its features like always-on VPN and device posture monitoring ensure only trusted users get access. This is essential if you manage hybrid or remote workforces.
The platform’s ease of deployment allows you to get complete network protection seamlessly without IT headaches. For organizations in regulated industries, PCI compliance software can also play a huge role in securing sensitive data. You don’t have to worry about lag or slow connections either.
It supports integrations with popular identity providers like Okta and Google Workspace, which lets you maintain smooth user management. Plus, NordLayer’s threat protection and intelligence tools help you detect and prevent malware, ransomware, and data breaches proactively.
One feature I find particularly useful is NordLayer’s scalable cloud firewall that blocks malicious traffic before it causes damage. It’s like having a vigilant security guard monitoring your network 24/7.
Underline your network’s security with encryption, DNS filtering, and session timeouts all under one toggle-ready platform.
Key features:
- Quick deployment in 10 minutes: Intuitive setup gets your entire team connected and protected without downtime or complex configs.
- Comprehensive Zero Trust security: Multi-factor authentication, device posture checks, and cloud firewalls restrict access only to trusted users and devices.
- Robust threat protection and intelligence: Deep packet inspection, malware blocking, and dark web monitoring help you stop attacks before they disrupt operations. For peace of mind with your blockchain project, it’s worth checking the best smart contract audit services as well.
Learn more about NordLayer features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict:
NordLayer is a top choice for IT professionals who want the best network access control software to secure hybrid or remote workforces. With over 11,000 businesses protected and deployments possible in just 10 minutes, it combines strong Zero Trust principles and easy management. NordLayer lowers total cost of ownership by 65% while giving you fast VPN speeds up to 1 Gbps.
2. Cisco
Worried about securing your network effectively?
Cisco helps you combine network power with security to protect your infrastructure and keep control tight.
Their solutions offer smarter segmentation, enhanced enforcement, and end-to-end visibility so you can proactively detect and block threats before they disrupt your business.
This means fewer breaches, easier management, and reliable protection for your data and users.
Cisco’s Hybrid Mesh Firewall brings better enforcement points and granular control across multi-vendor environments.
It’s designed for enterprises that want to secure complex network setups while maintaining flexibility.
Another great benefit is Nexus Dashboard, which gives you comprehensive visibility across your entire network, AI tasks, and GPUs, helping to identify issues quickly and reduce downtime.
Security has never been this integrated and clear.
Key features:
Hybrid Mesh Firewall offers smarter policy enforcement, enabling you to secure hybrid and multi-cloud environments without sacrificing performance or control.
Nexus Dashboard provides centralized visibility into networks and AI workloads, helping spot vulnerabilities and bottlenecks before they affect your operations.
Cisco’s focus on security and observability ensures your infrastructure is protected and issues are resolved quickly, helping maintain business continuity.
Learn more about best PCI compliance software for securing your infrastructure.
Learn more about Cisco features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict:
Cisco stands out as a leader in the best network access control software category for enterprises needing robust, scalable security. Their Hybrid Mesh Firewall and Nexus Dashboard solutions are proven to provide smarter enforcement and visibility, essential for protecting complex networks with minimal hassle.
Also, check our guide on best data replication software to further secure your data and cut downtime.
3. Portnox
Worried about unapproved devices accessing your network?
Portnox offers a cloud-native access control platform that instantly enforces zero trust principles to secure every endpoint.
Its unified access control lets you monitor all connected devices and automatically assess risk posture 24/7, so you never miss a threat. With passwordless authentication, you can eliminate stolen credential risks by using certificates, locking down network access in a much stronger way.
Portnox makes network security simple.
You get to automate compliance enforcement, reducing manual workload and ensuring continuous protection.
Another great feature is its cloud-native RADIUS and TACACS+ services, meaning you can deploy quickly without complex infrastructure changes or on-prem installations. This keeps your network device administration sleek and auditable.
It also handles guest access smoothly, allowing you to set unique policies for contractors or visitors without exposing your internal network.
Key features:
- Unified zero trust access control: Gives you full visibility and control over all endpoints, helping protect your network from unauthorized devices and insider risks.
- Automated risk monitoring and remediation: Continuously analyzes endpoint risk and triggers automatic actions to keep your environment compliant and secure.
- Cloud-native infrastructure services: Deploy RADIUS and TACACS+ easily with no on-premises setup, so you streamline secure authentication and device management.
Learn more about Portnox features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict:
Portnox stands out as the best network access control software for IT and security professionals who want an easy-to-deploy, cloud-based solution. Its ability to integrate passwordless authentication and automated remediation makes it a solid choice for enterprises focused on zero trust. Verified user reviews praise its quick setup and effective risk mitigation, proving its value in real-world environments.
4. Aruba Networks
Worried about unauthorized network access?
Aruba Networks offers sophisticated network access control that stops unwanted devices before they connect.
Their software delivers precise device visibility and control, so you can identify every user and device on your network, minimizing security blind spots. This helps protect your business from breaches caused by unknown or risky devices.
It gives you confidence in your network security.
By combining AI-powered analytics and policy enforcement, Aruba allows you to automate responses to suspicious activity, easing your workload as a network manager or IT specialist.
Another great benefit is Aruba’s ability to enforce role-based access controls, which means you control who gets on your network and what they can reach—critical for protecting sensitive data across industries like healthcare or finance.
Say goodbye to manual security tasks.
The platform also supports multi-factor authentication and seamless integration with existing infrastructure. This makes it easier to keep your network both secure and user-friendly without complicating your IT environment.
Key features:
- Comprehensive device visibility and control that lets you monitor and restrict every device accessing your network, reducing risks from unauthorized connections.
- AI-driven policy enforcement automates threat detection and response, saving you time and stopping breaches before they spread.
- Role-based network access management ensures that users only access what they need, boosting security and compliance in sensitive industries.
Learn more about Aruba Networks features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict:
Aruba Networks earns a spot as one of the best network access control software solutions for IT professionals who need detailed device oversight and proactive security. Companies like a global healthcare provider rely on Aruba’s AI-powered analytics to reduce security incidents by over 30%. Its strong enforcement and easy integration make it a dependable choice for businesses needing ironclad network protection.
5. Ivanti
Worried about secure network access anywhere?
Ivanti automatically finds, heals, and protects every device, no matter where your team works.
Their unified network security ensures easy and secure access from any device or location, addressing the challenge of managing a distributed workforce with varied devices. This setup helps you maintain control without sacrificing employee flexibility. Plus, it supports a comprehensive security strategy suitable for businesses with remote or hybrid teams.
Security shouldn’t slow your team down.
Ivanti’s solutions come with unified endpoint management that lets you control devices from one console. This helps you quickly identify and fix vulnerabilities without juggling multiple systems.
Another benefit is its exposure management feature, which pinpoints your biggest risks and helps prioritize security actions. This is invaluable when you have limited resources but need to stay protected against evolving threats.
It’s a smart way to secure your network while giving your employees the freedom to work anywhere.
Key features:
Automatic device discovery and protection: Identifies all devices across your network, ensuring none go unchecked and reducing security blind spots.
Unified endpoint management: Manage security and compliance from a single dashboard, saving you time and streamlining operations for distributed teams.
Exposure management tools: Prioritize vulnerabilities based on actual risks, so you can focus your efforts where they matter most.
Learn more about Ivanti features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict:
Ivanti stands out as one of the best network access control software solutions, especially if you’re managing a remote or hybrid workforce. Its automatic device protection combined with unified endpoint management helped Service Corporation International maintain security across thousands of devices effortlessly. This speaks volumes about its effectiveness in real-world, complex environments.
6. Forescout
Worried about unknown devices on your network?
Forescout offers continuous visibility and control over all managed and unmanaged assets on your network.
Their 4D Platform™ helps you discover, assess, control, and govern every device so you never miss a risky connection. This is perfect if you struggle with the growing complexity of managing IT, IoT, OT, and medical devices across your network.
You get real-time, vendor-agnostic monitoring to protect your entire attack surface with zero gaps.
This platform lets you meet Zero Trust mandates without the usual headaches by adapting to your unique environment instead of forcing rigid rules.
Another great capability is its flexible deployment options. You can scale from small setups to large enterprises while continuously monitoring over 66 million devices and analyzing 39 billion unique data points globally. That means your security team is always one step ahead of threats, even with millions of connected devices.
This makes securing your network manageable rather than overwhelming.
Key features:
- Comprehensive asset discovery and control: Automatically identify and manage all connected devices, reducing blind spots and enhancing network security posture .
- Adaptive Zero Trust implementation: Streamline compliance and enforce policies efficiently across diverse IT, OT, and IoT environments without rigid constraints.
- Proven scalability and performance: Safeguard millions of devices with continuous monitoring and data-driven risk prioritization, ensuring sustained protection over time.
Learn more about Forescout features, pricing, & alternatives →
Verdict:
Forescout is an excellent choice for IT security managers aiming to secure complex networks with a wide range of connected devices. Their platform’s continuous control, adaptive approach to Zero Trust, and ability to manage over 66 million devices make it one of the best network access control software available today.
Conclusion
Are you struggling to secure your network effectively?
With the relentless rise of cyberattacks, it’s clear that managing access across various devices and platforms is a growing challenge. As a security administrator, you need robust tools to safeguard your sensitive data and maintain seamless operations.
In fact, an alarming 84% of organizations have experienced at least one cyberattack in the last year, underscoring the dire need for effective network access control solutions. If so many organizations are facing attacks, your security measures cannot afford to be subpar.
That’s why I wholeheartedly recommend NordLayer as the best network access control software for your needs. It simplifies security processes and ensures only authorized users access your system. If you’re interested in solutions that further secure your digital environment, check out my roundup of the best online proctoring software for secure exams and assessments.
Choosing NordLayer not only enhances your network’s defense but also allows you to scale effortlessly. Ready to strengthen your security? I invite you to start a free trial of NordLayer.
Taking this step will give you peace of mind, knowing your network is protected against evolving threats.
