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Rohit Ghorpade - PeerSpot reviewer
Cloud network engineer at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
An easy-to-navigate tool useful for filtering internet traffic that needs to improve its deployment speed
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a good-to-use tool that is also flexible."
  • "The deployment phase takes too much time."

What is our primary use case?

In my company, we use the solution just to secure my AWS Network Insights and inside production. We use it for security purposes.

What is most valuable?

With the solution, we just need to filter the traffic coming from the internet and Direct Connect. So it filters the traffic, basically. It permits access. In short, it just filters the traffic and permits the traffic. The aforementioned details are the purposes for which we use the tool.

What needs improvement?

We use the tool as a basic firewall. It's a technical firewall. As a technical firewall, we use SmartConsole or Check Point Firewall.

The deployment phase takes too much time. I would like the deployment to be faster.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Check Point CloudGuard Network Security for two and a half years. We are using Check Point R80.10 SmartConsole in our organization.

Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Check Point CloudGuard Network Security. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
844,944 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability-wise, I rate the solution a seven out of ten since it takes too much time for deployment. However, it is flexible since we used to push the policy normally. It takes hardly ten seconds to install the policy. It's much easier.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I have been using the solution in my company for the last year. Other than the employees in my company, more than 25,000 users are using the solution hosted on AWS.

Basically, the application, which is hosted, is used internally. It's the same user account because it's not exposed anywhere on the internet. If anyone wants to access the solution from the internet, the traffic comes from Direct Connect, and from Direct Connect, it goes to AWS.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was not much complex. The setup phase was good enough to be able to navigate through it.

It took a long time to deploy it. We need to run this on EC2 instances, so it took almost two hours to deploy the solution. After deploying the solution slowly, and gradually, we have to push the policy on the firewall. It takes time to deploy, but it's a stable one.

The solution is deployed on the cloud. It's a software we install in EC2 instances on AWS, which we use as a firewall.

We currently have six to seven resources managing the deployments and maintenance.

What about the implementation team?

During deployment, we took technical help from Check Point.

What other advice do I have?

It is a good-to-use tool that is also flexible.

Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2647530 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technology/Systems Consultant at a computer software company with 501-1,000 employees
Consultant
Efficiently manages varying workloads and provides good insights
Pros and Cons
  • "We get good insights into security, and we are more secure because we have more insights than we would get from other products."
  • "We get good insights into security, and we are more secure because we have more insights than we would get from other products."
  • "We are having issues with updatable objects in the Scale Set solution. It needs to be fixed by Check Point."
  • "We are having issues with updatable objects in the Scale Set solution. It needs to be fixed by Check Point."

What is our primary use case?

We have been using Scale Set with Check Point. We use it to scale up and down in Azure depending on the workload. It is scalable, and it is easy to scale up and down depending on the usage. If we have a lot of traffic, it automatically adds a new firewall, and if the traffic slows down, it just removes the firewall. I do not need to worry about the load because it would not be an issue when scaling.

How has it helped my organization?

The management server provides unified management. We save a lot of time by not having to log in to different platforms. It is good to have everything in the same place. It saves maybe half an hour a day.

What is most valuable?

We get good insights into security, and we are more secure because we have more insights than we would get from other products.

What needs improvement?

We are having issues with updatable objects in the Scale Set solution. It needs to be fixed by Check Point.

The setup instructions are not correct. They should be corrected. We sent the product feedback last week. Several things were misspelled and incorrect in the documentation, and it got updated.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Scale Set with Check Point for about four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We do not have any issues with the product. Usually, the issues are with the Azure platform, such as an Azure host going down. It is not a Check Point issue.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have been working with Azure Firewall for five years. It is a lot smoother to work with Check Point. When it comes to rule sets and IPS, Azure Firewall does not have too many functions. It does not look nice, and it is not easy to make rules. It is a lot of a headache to work with Azure Firewall. It also costs a lot more.

We cannot get any fancy reports from Azure Firewall the way we can from Check Point. We do not have any insights with Azure Firewall. We get a lot better insights with Check Point.

How was the initial setup?

It is easy if you know what to do. If you follow Check Point instructions, it is hard because the instructions are not correct.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I do not have too much to compare to, but if I compare it with Azure Firewall, Scale Set is quite good. It has quite a good price.

What other advice do I have?

I can only speak for Scale Set. I would rate it an eight out of ten because it is a good solution. I like it.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
March 2025
Learn what your peers think about Check Point CloudGuard Network Security. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
844,944 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer2379444 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior IT Analyst at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
Offers straightforward licensing and excellent technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature I have found in CloudGuard Network Security is the flexibility to rebuild the firewall as needed."
  • "CloudGuard Network Security could be improved in the area of upgrading in place."

What is our primary use case?

My main use cases for CloudGuard Network Security are to scale the technology for protecting and filtering traffic within AWS and Azure environments.

The main challenge I was looking to address by implementing CloudGuard Network Security was the need to establish a firewall on our cloud perimeter for enhanced security.

How has it helped my organization?

The flexibility to rebuild the firewall in CloudGuard Network Security has helped our organization eliminate downtime.

CloudGuard Network Security has improved our organization by allowing us to easily deploy firewalls from the cloud wherever we might need them.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature I have found in CloudGuard Network Security is the flexibility to rebuild the firewall as needed.

What needs improvement?

CloudGuard Network Security could be improved in the area of upgrading in place.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with CloudGuard Network Security for five years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of CloudGuard Network Security is very good and we can scale it as needed.

How are customer service and support?

Check Point's service and tech support are very good, especially since we have access to their Diamond-level support. I would rate the support as a ten out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I find the pricing and licensing of CloudGuard Network Security to be pretty straightforward.

What other advice do I have?

The main benefit we have seen from using CloudGuard Network Security is the ability to filter traffic by URL. We realized these benefits approximately six months after deployment.

Unified management of the firewall has positively affected our security operations by making it easy to manage from one place.

My advice for those evaluating CloudGuard Network Security is to remember that licensing is critical, so ensure that central licensing is configured properly.

Overall, I would rate CloudGuard Network Security as a ten out of ten.

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.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2350719 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Engineer at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
Helps to manage cloud traffic locally without routing it through data centers
Pros and Cons
  • "I like the tool's ability to manage cloud traffic locally without routing it through our data centers."
  • "The product needs to improve technical support."

What is most valuable?

I like the tool's ability to manage cloud traffic locally without routing it through our data centers.

What needs improvement?

The product needs to improve technical support.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the product for four years. 

How are customer service and support?

The tool's support has been excellent. We can maintain our Check Point Firewalls effectively, both on-premises and in the cloud.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The tool's monthly costs have undergone a significant reduction, dropping from approximately 12,000 euros to around 4,000. This represents a cost reduction of over 60 percent. However, it's essential to note that while costs decreased in some areas, they increased in others due to shifts in our environment. As our overall environment has grown, currently connecting 50 accounts to the cloud, it's challenging to directly compare costs with the state of our setup three years ago.

What other advice do I have?

Initially, we faced some challenges, especially with the AWS transit gateway, involving manual routing configurations and complex setup tasks. I rate the overall product a nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Sony James - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Head at Quoinx Technologies private Limited
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
A strong cloud security platform that has protected us against zero-day attacks
Pros and Cons
  • "The feature most valuable to me is the NDTX blade that Check Point provides, and I like how the solution is not vulnerable."
  • "Check Point CloudGuard is not a feature-centric product because Check Point concentrates on security."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is a core operating system, and we use it for threat intelligence.

How has it helped my organization?

CloudGuard has a better catch rate with respect to any attack which is happening. We once faced an attack in a customer's environment on one of our data centers, and Check Point Firewall blocked that attack. The solution's performance is on the higher side.

What is most valuable?

The feature most valuable to me is the NDTX blade that Check Point provides, and I like how the solution is not vulnerable. We haven't had any vulnerabilities in Check Point in the last six months, which is a plus point because the OS Check Point provides is hardened enough that it's not vulnerable to the newer issues, so the network security solution is given in a proper way. These features are an advantage for our customers.

The solution is easy to use once deployed if the administrators have a basic understanding of firewalling. Administrators just have to check the traffic passing through the solution, which will log the traffic properly. And if anything gets dropped, the solution will showcase that to you. The management server Check Point uses is a gold standard.

What needs improvement?

Check Point CloudGuard is not a feature-centric product because Check Point concentrates on security. For example, if a customer asks for reporting, it might not be available, like a bandwidth report. At most, the reports are given with respect to security, not infrastructure.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used CloudGuard for the last three years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have more than 50 customers.

How are customer service and support?

Customer support needs to think about what the customer is talking about. They need to improve on that.

How was the initial setup?

CloudGuard is not a plug-and-play product and requires proper technical knowledge to deploy it. You need the help of a proper professional to deploy it. Deployment hardly takes four hours, but that's only if you know what you're doing. You need to plan the deployment with respect to AWS. You have to know what exactly the customers have deployed in AWS or Azure, or any cloud solution, and based on the review, you need to do their architecture before you can start the deployment. The first step, then, is to understand the customer's data because everything is on a template when it comes to the cloud. You should understand which template you need to use on any cloud. It is impossible to deploy if you're not aware of the customer's environment and how the cloud infrastructure is made. After selecting the proper template, you have to do the implementation. The implementation will go smoothly if you understand the customer's requirements and infrastructure.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I would not say Check Point is very expensive, but when customers compare it with Sophos or any other products, the price is on the higher side.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

In terms of features, FortiGate has more features in terms of routing.

What other advice do I have?

Our customers use Check Point solutions both on-premise and on the cloud.

Check Point's research and development happening in terms of threat intelligence is better than its competitors, and Check Point's vulnerabilities are fewer. Check Point CloudGuard Network Security has proper security in place with respect to the vulnerabilities. They do not have any vulnerabilities right now. And the research and development happening on Check Point is on the higher side. Most zero-day attacks are protected against. Customers should go for Check Point because of these two points.

If a customer wants FortiGate instead, it's all about whether they can map the budget with Check Point or any other security solution. I cannot compare Check Point and FortiGate, though, because each has its own market.

I rate Check Point CloudGuard Network Security a nine out of ten.

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
PeerSpot user
SHRINKHALA SINGH - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Manager at Advertising Standards Council of India
Real User
Top 10
Cost-effective with good productivity and 100% proactive detection
Pros and Cons
  • "It is dynamic and agile, and its features and utilities continuously improve and evolve."
  • "The business and product development team should introduce a high-end feedback collection mechanism and analyze the customer requirements constructively."

What is our primary use case?

Check Point CloudGuard Network Security is the best security software for protecting IT systems inside out. There is no compromise with system security if the CloudGuard Network solution is intact. It provides threat prevention and protection from malware and enables system and server security up to 100%.

We have numerous API integration of our internal IT systems with outside servers and network systems, where security lapses are a huge concern. CloudGuard helped in providing complete security and protected entry of threat entrants in our system from outside servers.

How has it helped my organization?

CloudGuard Network Security has enabled the security system to operate safely without any trouble. It has resulted in saving on huge expenses for organizations as it's a cost-effective and cheap alternative compared to its market competitors. It brings a secure IT environment for a workforce, which leads to boosting productivity and an increased revenue stream for the organization. This leads to increased productivity and prosperity.

Also, it's the one-stop solution for preventing systems from security threats and all kinds of endpoints in the IT space.

What is most valuable?

There are no security lapses and 100% restriction of threat entrants in the system or server.

It's a cost-effective solution with no false positive cases.

The product helps in bringing productivity and enhanced customer experience for users.

We have a happy workforce and more workforce retention and increased IT environment sustainability.

There is 100% proactive detection of root causes and root sources.

It is dynamic and agile, and its features and utilities continuously improve and evolve.

It's the best-unified endpoint management solution for IT systems globally. The product is available for all kinds of business users.

What needs improvement?

We really believe in ongoing improvements for emerging business needs. The business and product development team should introduce a high-end feedback collection mechanism and analyze the customer requirements constructively.

The feedback mechanism is best to understand the user and market needs. All kinds and sizes of businesses should be approached to provide feedback so that unanimous decisions and unbiased reviews/feedback can be collected.

Also, more customized strategic pricing can be involved and introduced so that more and more businesses can be attracted for trial and usage of the software. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We've used the solution for almost a year now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product offers amazing stability and we had no discomfort or hassle in the setup.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable and attractive.

How are customer service and support?

The solution has strong customer support and agile service experience.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We use McAfee solutions earlier due to the company and parent organization's long-term association with McAfee.

After subsequent years of usage, we felt a dire need of usage of advanced security solutions. After receiving continuous good feedback from peer organizations, we landed at Check Point.

It's been a great experience so far.

How was the initial setup?

The setup is effortless and not complicated at all.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented the solution through vendor team management.

What was our ROI?

We've seen an ROI of 80% to 85%.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

In my book, Check Point comes as quite a handy and cost-effective alternative for the security enablement of IT systems. It's cheap and easy for deployment and is the best solution so far. Its signing of SLA and maintaining long-term key association and collaboration with service partners is really effortless and easy. We've had a highly professional partner experience.

Licensing is usually annual.

Setup and deployment costs are offered with discounts that are attractive and  sustainable.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We analyzed and did trials for Cisco Secure Firewall and other security solutions like Trend Micro, etc.

What other advice do I have?

I would strongly recommend everyone to go for a trial of this security solution ASAP. It is one of the best experiences ever.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IT Security Engineer at a healthcare company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
Provides comprehensive threat prevention and security for cloud environments
Pros and Cons
  • "We find all the features valuable, particularly the firewall, application control, URL filtering, and HTTPS detection."
  • "Improvements needed include better integration with Azure features to match on-premises capabilities."

What is our primary use case?

In our Azure deployment, CloudGuard Network Security serves as our cloud firewall.

How has it helped my organization?

Using CloudGuard Network Security has streamlined our transition to Azure by providing continuity with our on-premises setup, ensuring seamless management, and allowing us to maintain our existing security protocols without disruption.

What is most valuable?

We find all the features valuable, particularly the firewall, application control, URL filtering, and HTTPS detection, as they cover our primary security needs effectively. We realized the benefits right away upon deployment.

What needs improvement?

Improvements needed include better integration with Azure features to match on-premises capabilities, particularly in areas like identity awareness, to ensure seamless functionality across both environments.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with CloudGuard Network Security for a few months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We haven't had any stability issues with the product so far.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We haven't had to scale much yet, but we are confident CloudGuard Network Security can meet our needs effectively if required in the future. I would rate the scalability as a nine out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

Overall, Check Point's service and technical support are good, with an effective resolution of issues, although there is currently one open ticket, they typically address root causes efficiently. I would rate the support as an eight out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What was our ROI?

We have seen ROI in time saved due to our familiarity with deployment, integration, and policy creation, avoiding the need for extensive learning or adjustments.

What other advice do I have?

We wanted to maintain familiarity with Check Point while transitioning to the cloud, opting for CloudGuard Network Security in Azure over Azure's native firewall for its effectiveness and seamless integration with our existing network infrastructure.

CloudGuard Network Security offers unified security management across hybrid clouds and on-premises environments, ensuring comprehensive protection across all assets.

Unified security management simplifies our security operations by consolidating all aspects, like web filtering, application control, and firewall management, into a single, easy-to-use platform, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.

I have high confidence in CloudGuard Network Security because it runs seamlessly like our previous setup and offers robust protection. I chose it over Azure's firewall because Check Point focuses solely on security, providing more features, logs, and insights.

CloudGuard Network Security is deployed across multiple departments and business units, with various consultants connecting in, although the user count isn't high yet, it is set to expand across multiple businesses.

I would advise evaluating CloudGuard Network Security based on what is most effective and familiar, rather than just what's convenient or included, prioritizing what suits your needs best.

Overall, I would rate CloudGuard Network Security as a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Security lead at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Top 20
Ensures robust protection and centralized management for cloud environments, though it may require some initial learning and lacks comprehensive tech support
Pros and Cons
  • "It offers remarkable flexibility in how we configure and utilize the resources."
  • "There is room for improvement regarding the technical support provided."

What is our primary use case?

We've implemented CloudGuard in Azure, configuring it as firewalls and file management systems. These functionalities skillfully oversee our API application and various aspects of our data center environment. Our entire infrastructure, hosted within Azure's data centers, is effectively managed by CloudGuard, ensuring comprehensive security coverage.

How has it helped my organization?

One of the notable benefits we've observed is the ease of deployment in our environment. It offers remarkable flexibility in how we configure and utilize the resources. This flexibility allows developers to seamlessly collaborate with network security experts to ensure that our applications are secure. This level of assurance has instilled confidence within our teams, knowing that we're deploying solutions that will be effectively managed.

CloudGuard Network Security offers unified security management across hybrid cloud and on-premises environments. With this comprehensive feature set, we benefit from enhanced flexibility. We can seamlessly manage both on-premises and cloud environments from a single interface, simplifying our operations and providing a centralized view of our data.

On a scale of one to ten, our confidence level in CloudGuard Network Security stands at an eight. This rating signifies that it surpasses the average level of confidence. While we acknowledge that there's always room for improvement in technology, we believe that CloudGuard Network Security has demonstrated its effectiveness and reliability.

What is most valuable?

The data center objects, checks, and other components are thoroughly examined, allowing us to incorporate them into our policy definitions. This approach has proven to be highly effective, akin to the standards typically seen in on-premises environments.

What needs improvement?

There is room for improvement regarding the technical support provided. Having a more refined and advanced feature would offer significant benefits.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using it for three and a half years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

In terms of stability, it's rock solid. I haven't encountered much trouble over the past three and a half years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It performs well in terms of the use case scenario where deployment is required, and its scalability is satisfactory. Overall, I would say it's good enough for our needs.

How are customer service and support?

In terms of tech support, I would rate it a four on a scale of one to ten, which is lower than it used to be. Previously, I would have rated it a seven. Over the years, I've noticed a decline in the technical expertise of support staff. While I have extensive experience with Check Point products spanning fifteen to twenty years, I find it increasingly challenging to get the level of assistance I need. Support personnel nowadays seem to specialize in only one or two products, making it difficult to get comprehensive assistance for complex issues. This lack of holistic understanding delays problem resolution and frustrates customers.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We've been loyal users of Check Point products for quite some time now. The company has a strong reputation in the industry, and I have more experience with Check Point products compared to others. It offers some of the best services available in the industry.

When comparing CloudGuard Network Security to other solutions for identifying security threats, it emerges as one of the leaders in the field. Our statistics demonstrate its effectiveness, with a notable ninety percent or higher success rate. Check Point covers the majority of our security needs, achieving a remarkable ninety-nine percent success rate, which is among the best in the industry. In terms of setup and reliability, we have a strong preference for CloudGuard.

We opted not to proceed with our vendor's cloud firewall solution because it lacked a comprehensive understanding of our network infrastructure. These solutions are primarily tailored to the specific environment of the vendor, which may not align with our needs. Instead, we prefer utilizing an NGFW appliance or a more versatile NBI device, such as those offered by Check Point. This approach allows us to avoid vendor lock-in and leverage familiar security devices. By partnering with third-party vendors like Check Point, we gain flexibility and can choose products specifically designed for security purposes. This contrasts with relying solely on the cloud service provider's offerings, which may prioritize their products over comprehensive security. In my opinion, solutions like those from Check Point offer a more mature and reliable approach to network security.

What about the implementation team?

During the initial deployment phase, we encountered a learning curve as we transitioned from traditional firewall deployment methods to cloud-based environments. One concern was whether the throughput would match that of physical appliances. However, we ultimately found the performance to be satisfactory and were pleased with the results. We engaged with both Check Point and third-party experts to assist with deployment, given that it was a new process for us. Drawing on their expertise proved invaluable in navigating the deployment process smoothly.

What was our ROI?

The return on investment has become evident over the past three years. As a global company, we've successfully migrated over two hundred applications from on-premises to the cloud. This transition has provided us with greater flexibility and enhanced security measures, allowing us to efficiently patch and maintain applications without significant downtime. Overall, it has significantly improved our operational efficiency and streamlined our processes.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We explored both pay-as-you-go and build-your-own-licensing models, and found both to be competitive. While everyone desires lower prices, we're content with the current pricing structure, as it meets our needs effectively.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate it seven out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.