From Network Access Control to Intelligent Segmentation

Forescout’s roots lie in Network Access Control (NAC), and the company’s latest release builds upon that foundation. However, the new segmentation features move beyond simple port blocking or network redirection. According to Justin Foster, Forescout’s CTO, the platform now allows organizations to define segmentation policies based on a virtually unlimited matrix of device attributes – from location and function to criticality and risk level. “We’ve amped that up,” Foster explained, “where we can use any of the properties, either labels that you apply, and overlay the risk level.”

This granular control is particularly crucial in highly regulated industries like healthcare. Imagine a hospital network where doctors and nurses require access to electronic health records, but that access must be strictly isolated from imaging systems and guest Wi-Fi. Forescout’s platform enables administrators to tag devices with specific attributes and automatically enforce segmentation policies, ensuring data remains secure and compliant.

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The Power of Identity-Based Segmentation

Traditional segmentation often relies on IP addresses, a method that quickly becomes unreliable as devices move across networks. Forescout’s approach centers on device identity, profiling assets based on persistent attributes and, where possible, tying them to user identities. This ensures that segmentation policies remain consistent, regardless of a device’s location.

“The most important thing is putting a strong identity around any asset,” Foster emphasized. “A given laptop can change IPs, but being able to profile it on other attributes and so keep it consistent within the device.” This is especially critical in environments with a mix of IT and Operational Technology (OT) systems, where agents cannot always be deployed on industrial controllers and PLCs.

Navigating Heterogeneous Network Environments

Most organizations operate complex, multi-vendor networks. Applying consistent security policies across this diverse infrastructure presents a significant challenge. Forescout addresses this by acting as an overlay on existing switching infrastructure, communicating natively with switches and routers, or integrating with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controllers like Arista’s Cloud Vision.

For comprehensive traffic visibility, the platform leverages packet forwarding, SPAN ports, and integrations with network packet brokers from vendors such as Gigamon and Keysight. When an unknown or unclassified device is detected, Forescout can automatically move it to an isolated VLAN, minimizing potential risks.

Pro Tip:

AI-Driven Proactive Security with Pistaro AI

Forescout’s integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key differentiator. The recently launched Pistaro AI dashboard leverages data from the 4D Platform – including segmentation information, asset details, risk scores, and threat intelligence – to proactively identify and address potential security vulnerabilities.

“It may be saying, Hey, we’ve noticed some new segments that shouldn’t be talking to each other. You should go take a look at this,” Foster explained. This proactive approach allows security teams to address segmentation issues before they can be exploited by attackers. The convergence of risk, AI, and segmentation represents a significant step forward in network security.

But as Forescout continues to refine its AI-powered segmentation capabilities, what role will human expertise play in validating and refining these automated recommendations? And how will organizations balance the need for robust security with the potential for overly restrictive segmentation policies that hinder legitimate business operations?

Frequently Asked Questions About Forescout’s Network Segmentation

1. What is network segmentation and why is it important? Network segmentation divides a network into smaller, isolated segments to limit the blast radius of a security breach and improve overall security posture.
2. How does Forescout’s segmentation differ from traditional IP-based segmentation? Forescout utilizes identity-based segmentation, profiling devices based on persistent attributes rather than relying on IP addresses, which can change frequently.
3. Can Forescout segment OT environments without installing agents on industrial controllers? Yes, Forescout employs agentless methods like header scraping and active probes to discover and segment devices in OT environments.
4. What role does AI play in Forescout’s segmentation capabilities? Forescout’s Pistaro AI dashboard analyzes segmentation data alongside other security information to proactively identify and flag potential vulnerabilities.
5. How does Forescout support multi-vendor network environments? Forescout operates as an overlay on existing infrastructure, communicating natively with various switches, routers, and SDN controllers.
6. What types of attributes can be used to define segmentation zones? Organizations can leverage up to 1,200 device attributes, including business unit, device function, criticality, and custom labels.
7. Does Forescout integrate with existing security tools? Yes, Forescout integrates with network packet brokers like Gigamon and Keysight, and supports SDN control layers.