Network Access Protection (NAP) is a Microsoft technology for controlling network access of a computer host based on the system health of the host, first utilized in Windows XP service pack 3, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
With Network Access Protection, system administrators of an organization's computer network can define policies for system health requirements. Examples of system health requirements are whether the computer has the most recent operating system updates installed, whether the computer has the latest version of the anti-virus software signature, or whether the computer has a host-based firewall installed and enabled. Connecting or communicating computers have their health status evaluated. Computers that comply with system health requirements can communicate with other compliant computers and have normal access to the network. Computers that do not comply with system health requirements will be unable to communicate with compliant computers and can have restricted access to the network.
