NAC Grows Up

Still Secure's Safe Access 5.0 just out paces Symantec's and Sophos' security solutions

By CRN Test Center

12:00 AM EDT Mon. Jul. 21, 2008
From the July 21, 2008 issue of CRN Tech
Page 5 of 5

Bottom Line
In many cases, a software-based solution for NAC will meet the needs of an organization—and provide an integrator with the opportunity to wrap custom solutions or services around it.

After evaluating each of these products, the Test Center found that StillSecure's Safe Access 5.0 slightly outpaced the others, followed by Symantec's solution and then Sophos'.

Safe Access 5.0 is robust and customizable, justifying adding a NAC as an extra layer of security. Symantec offers a nice solution, but finds itself more limited than Safe Access 5.0 without deploying agents. Sophos, too, is good, but we were left wanting more. While all the solutions could be fine in particular deployments, functionality led us to choose Safe Access 5.0 first, Symantec second and Sophos third in this comparative review.

Five Key Players in Network Access Control

COMPANY: Sophos
Burlington, Mass.
(781) 5800
www.sophos.com

KEY PRODUCT: Sophos NAC Advanced

CHANNEL POINTS: Sophos has a three-tiered partner program Platinum, Gold and Silver. A training and certification program is offered as well as 24-hour technical support, dedicated channel managers, sales and marketing tools, free product training and increased margins.

COMPANY: Symantec
Cupertino, Calif.
(408) 517-8000
www.symantec.com

KEY PRODUCT: Symantec End Point Protection Client and Network Access Control

CHANNEL POINTS: Symantec has a four-level partner program: Registed, Silver Gold and Platinum. All levels receive access to markeing tools as well as access to the PartnerNet Portal and Tools. A configuration/quote generator tool is also available for all partners. Online technical support is available for all partners, but 24x7 support varies among levels.

COMPANY: McAfee
Santa Clara, Calif.
(866) 736-3971
www.mcafee.com

KEY PRODUCT: McAfee Network Access Control.

CHANNEL POINTS: McAfee offers an extensive and varied partner program with four divisions: Security Innovation Alliance Partners, McAfee Service Provider Partners, OEM Partners and Partner Security Services Partners. Partners receive support, training marketing tools and substantial incentives and rebates.

COMPANY: Juniper Networks
Sunnyvale, Calif.
888-JUNIPER (888-586-4737)
www.juniper.com

KEY PRODUCT: Juniper Networks UAC deployed with EX-series Ethernet switches

CHANNEL POINTS: Juniper's "J-Partner" architecture, provides an array of partner programs designed to provide partners with the tools they need to deliver customer satisfaction. Tncentives, training and support spans across all of their partner programs.

COMPANY: Trend Micro
Cupertino, Calif.
(800) 228-5651
www.trendmicro.com

KEY PRODUCT: Network VirusWall Enforcer

CHANNEL POINTS: Trend Micro offers three partner programs SecureOne Partner, Vantage Partner and VantageONE Partner. Technical and Sales certification as available for partners. Vantage partners can participate in the Vantage Rewards program and receive cash for selling Trend Micro products.

Mario Morejon, Fahmida Y. Rashid and Samara Lynn contributed to this story.

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