Network Access Control (NAC) with

Cisco ISE & Software-Defined

Networking (SDN) Using Cisco DNA
Center

1. Introduction
1.1 Project Overview

The goal of this project is to implement a Network Access Control (NAC) solution using
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and integrate it with Software-Defined Networking
(SDN) using Cisco DNA Center. This combination enhances security, automation, and network
policy enforcement in an enterprise environment.

2 Problem Statement
2.1 Challenges in Traditional Networks

1.​ Lack of Access Control – Unauthorized users and devices can connect to the network
without proper authentication.
2.​ Complex Policy Management – VLAN and ACL-based access control requires manual
intervention, increasing complexity.
3.​ Limited Network Visibility – Security teams struggle to track who and what is on the
network.
4.​ Slow Response to Threats – Network administrators manually react to security
incidents, delaying mitigation.
5.​ BYOD & IoT Risks – Personal and IoT devices introduce vulnerabilities if not properly
authenticated and segmented.

2.2 Cisco ISE: Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Unauthorized Access & Weak Authentication

●​ Issue: Any device can connect to the network without verification, increasing security
risks.
●​ Solution: Cisco ISE provides 802.1X authentication, Multi-Factor Authentication
(MFA), and Active Directory (AD) integration to ensure only authorized users and
devices access the network.

Problem 2: Manual VLAN & Network Policy Management

●​ Issue: VLANs and ACLs require manual configurations, leading to errors and
inefficiency.
●​ Solution: Cisco ISE enables dynamic VLAN assignments and Security Group Tags
(SGTs), enforcing consistent policies automatically.

Problem 3: Insider Threats & Lateral Movement

●​ Issue: Once inside the network, attackers can move laterally and access sensitive data.
●​ Solution: Cisco ISE enforces microsegmentation, device profiling, and adaptive
access control to limit lateral movement.

Problem 4: Guest & BYOD Security Risks

●​ Issue: Unsecured personal and guest devices introduce malware and security
vulnerabilities.
●​ Solution: Cisco ISE provides secure guest portals, BYOD onboarding, and posture
assessments to verify device compliance before granting access.

Problem 5: Lack of Network Visibility & Monitoring

●​ Issue: IT teams cannot track connected users, making threat detection difficult.
●​ Solution: Cisco ISE enables live session monitoring, threat intelligence integration,
and device profiling to enhance visibility.

Problem 6: Compliance & Regulatory Challenges

●​ Issue: Organizations must comply with security regulations but lack audit logs and
enforcement mechanisms.
●​ Solution: Cisco ISE enforces policy-based compliance, provides detailed access
logs, and automates security enforcement for regulatory adherence.

2.3 SDN (Cisco DNA Center): Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Decentralized and Inefficient Network Management

 ●​ Issue: Traditional networks require manual device-by-device configuration, leading to
inconsistent policies.
●​ Solution: Cisco DNA Center centralizes network management, automates
configurations, and streamlines policy enforcement across the network.

Problem 2: Security Risks Due to Lack of Automation

●​ Issue: Static security rules struggle to keep up with evolving threats.

●​ Solution: Cisco DNA Center enables Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) for
automated security policy enforcement and segmentation.

Problem 3: Delayed Threat Response

●​ Issue: IT teams manually react to threats, increasing response time.

●​ Solution: Cisco DNA Center integrates with Cisco ISE and security tools to detect,
isolate, and remediate threats in real time.

Problem 4: Network Downtime & High Operational Costs

●​ Issue: Manual network configurations increase downtime and operational expenses.

●​ Solution: Cisco DNA Center automates deployments, proactively detects network
issues, and optimizes performance to reduce costs and downtime.

3. Objectives
●​ Implement Cisco ISE to authenticate and authorize users/devices.
●​ Use Cisco DNA Center to automate policy-based networking.
●​ Securely integrate Active Directory (AD) for authentication.
●​ Deploy firewall rules to protect sensitive data and prevent lateral movement.
●​ Follow a Three-Tier Network Architecture for scalability.
●​ Provide a real-world case study and demonstrate how the solution improves security
and efficiency.

4. Architecture Design
4.1 Three-Tier Network Architecture

Our network follows a three-tier hierarchical model:

1.​ Core Layer (High-speed backbone)

2.​ Distribution Layer (Policy-based routing, segmentation)
3.​ Access Layer (User and device connections, NAC enforcement)
 4.2 Components & Integration

Network Components

●​ Endpoints: Corporate devices, BYOD, IoT, Guest devices.

●​ Access Layer: Cisco Switches, Wireless Controllers, APs (Enforces 802.1X
authentication with ISE).
●​ Cisco ISE: NAC server handling AAA, profiling, and posture assessment.
●​ Cisco DNA Center: SDN controller for centralized automation.
●​ Active Directory (AD): Provides identity-based authentication.
●​ Firewall (Cisco Firepower/ASA): Enforces security policies and segmentation.
●​ WAN/Internet: Connects remote users and branches.

5. Real-World Example: Corporate Office Implementation

3.1 Existing Challenges

A large enterprise with multiple office branches faces:

●​ Unauthorized device connections leading to security risks.

●​ Guest users requiring separate access policies.
●​ Manual VLAN assignment causing misconfigurations.
●​ Slow response to security incidents due to lack of automation.

3.2 Our Solution & Implementation

●​ Cisco ISE enforces 802.1X authentication (Users authenticate via AD).

●​ Cisco DNA Center automates dynamic VLAN assignments.
●​ Guest Access is handled via Cisco ISE Guest Portal.
●​ IoT Profiling enables device classification and security.
●​ Firewall & Segmentation: Blocks unauthorized lateral movement.
●​ Policy-based automation ensures least privilege access.

6. Implementation Steps
6.1 Cisco ISE Deployment

1.​ Configure AAA policies and integrate ISE with Active Directory.
2.​ Implement 802.1X authentication for wired and wireless users.
3.​ Enable profiling to detect device types.
4.​ Set up guest user authentication portal.
 6.2 Cisco DNA Center Integration

1.​ Connect DNA Center to network infrastructure (switches, APs, routers).

2.​ Enable Software-Defined Access (SDA) for dynamic segmentation.
3.​ Implement Group-Based Policy Enforcement (SGTs).
4.​ Automate network configurations using intent-based networking.

6.3 Security & Firewall Configuration

1.​ Define access control policies based on user roles.

2.​ Restrict lateral movement between segments.
3.​ Apply firewall rules to enforce microsegmentation.

7. Future Improvements
●​ AI-driven security analytics to detect anomalies.
●​ Cloud-based NAC integration for hybrid networks.
●​ Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) enhancements.

8. Conclusion
This project showcases a modern NAC + SDN approach for securing enterprise networks. By
integrating Cisco ISE and DNA Center, we demonstrate enhanced security, automation, and
efficiency, solving real-world network security problems.