Trusted network access control system and method

1 . A trusted network access control system, comprising:

a remote computing platform running an advisor;

a first trusted network access control device coupled to the remote computing platform by a network; and

a director coupled to the first trusted network access control device controlling the first trusted network access control device.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further including:

a remote access controller coupled to the first trusted network access control device;

a second trusted network access control device coupled to the remote access controller.

3 . The system of claim 1 , further including a protected network coupled to the first trusted network access control device.

4 . The system of claim 2 , further including a protected network coupled to the second trusted network access control device.

5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the director controls the second trusted network access control device.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the advisor sends a trusted state information packet to the director.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the director evaluates the trusted state information packet and sends a network access control information packet to the first trusted network access control device.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first network access control device is a router.

9 . A method of trusted network access control, comprising the steps of:

a) sending a trusted state information packet from a remote computing platform through a network to a director;

b) determining a level of access allowed by the remote computing platform at the director using the trusted state information packet; and

c) transmitting an access control information from the director to a trusted network access control device.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further including the step of:

d) when the remote computing platform is allowed access by the director, communicating between the remote computing platform and a device on a protected network.

11 . The method of claim 9 , further including the steps of:

d) when the remote computing platform is allowed access by the director, sending a remote access control information from the remote computer to a remote access controller;

e) when the remote computing platform is allowed access by the remote access controller, sending a second trusted state information packet to a second director.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further including the steps of:

f) transmitting an access control information from the second director to a second trusted network access control device including a remote computer identifier.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein step (c) further includes the step of:

c1) transmitting a location identifier.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein step (b) further includes the step of:

b) determining a level of trustworthiness.

15 . A method of trusted network access control, comprising the steps of:

a) requesting access to a protected network by a remote computer;

b) determining a trustworthiness of the remote computer by a network access controller; and

c) providing a level of access to the protected network by the remote computer.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein step (c) further includes the step of:

c1) denying access to the protected network by the remote computer.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein step (c) further includes the step of:

c1) allowing access to a part of the protected network by the remote computer.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein step (c) further includes the step of:

c1) allowing access to all of the protected network by the remote computer.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein step (b) further includes the steps of:

b1) determining a plurality of trust policies;

b2) evaluating by comparing a trust state of the remote computer to the plurality of trust policies.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further including the step of:

b3) when the trust state fails one of the plurality of trust policies, setting the level of access to no access.