We consolidated from three management consoles and three clusters to only one, which is a big improvement.
IT Security Consultant at Cilnet
We consolidated from multiple consoles and clusters into an all-in-one cluster solution
Pros and Cons
- "We consolidated from three management consoles and three clusters to only one, which is a big improvement."
- "Its blades and VSLS (Virtual System Load Sharing) work fine."
- "Having a web UI in the VSX (or something similar) would be nice."
How has it helped my organization?
What is most valuable?
In general, Check Point VSX is a good solution. Its blades and VSLS (Virtual System Load Sharing) work fine.
What needs improvement?
Having a web UI in the VSX (or something similar) would be nice. However, you can do everything in the CLI.
For how long have I used the solution?
Less than one year.
Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Check Point CloudGuard Network Security. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
825,399 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We are replacing three old cluster ASA firewalls and concentrating it into an all-in-one VSX cluster. This allows our central management have more time for other tasks.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Co-founder & CTO at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Valuable features include centralized management using the MDM solution and the log management module.
What is most valuable?
Valuable features include centralized management using the MDM solution of Check Point and the Log Management module. The latest version of VSX supports all blades of Check Point's security suite.
I get maximum flexibility as I can use a standard management server to manage all virtual gateways along with a dedicated log server for each virtual gateway. Sometimes I can use a single server to manage all virtual gateways.
How has it helped my organization?
Earlier versions only supported the Firewall and VPN feature. Now I can run Anti-Bot/Anti-Virus, URL and App Filtering, Threat Emulation, and other blades.
I can assign weights to each virtual gateway depending on how critical each virtual gateway is.
The VSLS feature provides linear scalability so I can keep adding hardware (maximum of eight) to meet my performance expectations.
What needs improvement?
It is somewhat difficult to upgrade the entire hardware without downtime.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been implementing this solution to many customers in India and the SAARC region for seven years now. This is one of the most popular virtual firewall products in the industry.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have not encountered any problems with stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
A sufficient amount of planning is required to deploy a solution that is scalable. However, as Check Point allows an Open Server to deploy its VSX solution, scalability is not a problem once the base hardware is chosen appropriately.
How are customer service and technical support?
Support is one area where efforts should be required from Check Point. Customers having multiple, more than ten, gateways are encouraged to consider Diamond Support services.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not use any other solution previously.
How was the initial setup?
Engineers having less than three years of hands-on experience on Check Point products may find this product somewhat challenging. However, the best part is, once the product is deployed, there is no difference between virtual gateway and physical gateway from the operational perspective.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Check Point pioneered this product, so don't look anywhere else if you are looking for a stable and scalable product with top-notch security blades.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We did not evaluate any alternative products.
What other advice do I have?
Choose your implementation partner very carefully. Choose someone who has done multiple, large-scale implementations and can show proof of the same in terms of customer references through emails or phone calls.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: We are a value added partner of Check Point in India.
Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Check Point CloudGuard Network Security. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
825,399 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Security Platform Administrator at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
Very good technical support and ROI with great URL filtering capabilities
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are the VPN Blade, IPS Blade, the URL filtering, and the Applications Control Blade."
- "CheckPoint CloudGuard could be better at solving cases."
What is our primary use case?
I have been using Check Point CloudGuard for 3 years now. I use it in the financial sector, and use the gateways for perimeter security, east-west traffic inspections, and internet access. We have gateways for production, development, and outbound (internet access). The blades for IPS, FW, And URL filtering have been enabled with no problems. All the gateways are stable. We mostly use it for VPN site to site, and we can establish VPNs with Azure and other services.
How has it helped my organization?
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security has established communications with other devices and other cloud providers. CloudGuard has improved the passage of CIS and PCI regulations. The functions for autoscaling save costs for the company and the centralized management helps us with administration. CloudGuard complements the security model of the company. We only need one solution for all cloud providers as it offers good compatibility with lots of protection. the easy funtion of use the licence core in other gateways helmpe to save cost. And the easy VPN configuration helpme to stablish more than 100 VPN in an shortly time.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are the VPN Blade, IPS Blade, URL filtering, and Applications Control Blade. They help me to align with any compliance or regulations within our financial sector. The VPN blade has helped me to establish tactical communications. The logs help with troubleshooting and they are great. The IPS blade helps me to meet regulations and protect against intrusion. The applications control makes it easy to configure and created profiles. It blocks all the non-authorized applications.
What needs improvement?
CheckPoint CloudGuard could be better at solving cases. In many cases, the client should be able to request or obtain a sufficient explanation or to obtain an appropriate answer. Check Point should improve the queue clients need to go through to obtain access to direct support chat. This should be for users with privileged access.
CheckPoint features that should be included in the next release include the possibility to create a cluster on AWS and a Multi-region Cluster. They need to also include the possibility to use a managed web portal.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for about 3 years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is very good.
How are customer service and technical support?
Technical support is very good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy.
What about the implementation team?
The team that helped us was very good.
What was our ROI?
The ROI we've had has been very good.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Professional at a government with 10,001+ employees
User-friendly and easy to implement
Pros and Cons
- "Check Point CloudGuard technical support is good."
- "The documentation could be much better."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case for this solution is a firewall.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable Check Point CloudGuard feature is the firewall. I also value the user authentication, IPS, and application control features.
What needs improvement?
The clustering and HE from the scaling availability could be improved.
The documentation could be much better as well.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for about a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate stability as average, too. It's not the best, but it's also not the worst.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability potential of this solution as average.
How are customer service and technical support?
Check Point CloudGuard technical support is good.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have not previously used any solutions.
How was the initial setup?
Deployment was easy. It took about half a day to do all configure everything how we needed it.
What about the implementation team?
The first time we deployed it was through a Check Point pre-sales specialist. After that, we deployed on our own.
What other advice do I have?
If we end up needing to scale, we would have to buy a new license.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Information security officer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Easy to use, reliable, and the threat prevention capabilities are good
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is threat prevention."
- "The initial setup is complex and could be made simpler."
What is our primary use case?
We are a solution integrator and the Check Point CloudGuard Network is a product that I have experience with. We implement firewalls and other products for our customers.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is threat prevention.
What needs improvement?
The initial setup is complex and could be made simpler.
The console could use some improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with the Check Point CloudGuard Network for approximately three years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This product is quite scalable.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I also have experience with Cisco Firepower and Fortinet.
How was the initial setup?
This initial setup is complex.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing is available on a monthly or yearly basis.
What other advice do I have?
In summary, this is a good product and I have not found any problems when using it. I can recommend it to others.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Business Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
A user-friendly and compatible cloud security solution
Pros and Cons
- "I like the firewall and the virtual machine. I also like that it's compatible with Amazon Web Services and Azure."
- "Check Point Virtual Systems is a complete solution, but pricing can be better."
What is most valuable?
I like the firewall and the virtual machine. I also like that it's compatible with Amazon Web Services and Azure.
What needs improvement?
Check Point Virtual Systems is a complete solution, but pricing can be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Check Point Virtual Systems for about five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Check Point Virtual Systems is very scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
We depend on the community a lot. It's good. The response time from technical support is also good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was complex. It took about four months to implement this solution. Four people deploy and maintain this product.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price could be better.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated two or three competing products like Huawei. Check Point and Fortinet is quality, but the prices vary. Huawei is very easy to use, and it's common. The main difference between all is the cost.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Check Point as it's an effective tool, and implementation is very easy.
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Check Point Virtual Systems a nine.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Network Consultant Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Excellent technical support but the zero-day threat detection needs improvement
Pros and Cons
- "The program is very stable."
- "It is a very expensive program and there are additional costs despite the standard licensing fees."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case of this solution is for security.
What is most valuable?
The IPs and the VPN are the most valuable features of this solution.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see an improvement on the zero-day threat detection. It is also not very user-friendly, so it would be great if it could be less complicated and easier to operate. The dashboard needs to be easier to use.
Also, if the solution could be cheaper, it would really help, because it is very expensive.
I would like to see sand boxing added to the new version.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Check Point Virtual Systems for ten years now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The program is very stable.
How are customer service and technical support?
The technical support is excellent and they always responded when we had an issue.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup wasn't too complicated, but it wasn't very easy and straightforward. Deployment took us about a week.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is a very expensive program and there are additional costs despite the standard licensing fees. So I would like to see it being more affordable in the future.
What other advice do I have?
I will recommend this program to others and my rating is seven out of ten. I do recommend that users should always use the checkpoints and backup as often as they can.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: December 2024
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
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