A computer-implemented method, network management system, and network clients are provided for out-of-band network security management. The network management system includes routers, firewalls, and out-of-band interfaces. The out-of-band interface of the network management system transmits access control lists to network clients connected to a trusted network. The trusted network connects the routers, firewalls, and network clients. The firewalls receive access control lists from the network management system to police communications that traverse the trusted network and an untrusted network. The routers receive access control lists from the network management system to police communications that traverse the router within the trusted network. The access control lists for the routers and firewalls are transmitted over a network interface to the trusted network and are transmitted separately from the access control lists for the network clients.