topic Re: Question about optimizing policies in General Topics

Question about optimizing policies

RemoteUser — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:11:07 GMT

Hi Mates,
What is the best way to optimize security policies, especially in a datacenter environment? (Large policy-package)
Are there any best practices that should be followed?
If I have a rule with “Any” as the protocol, what is the best way to analyze and optimize it?
Are there any tools integrated with Check Point that can help?

Thanks

Re: Question about optimizing policies

Vincent_Bacher — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:53:58 GMT

Some thoughts knowing that in huge policy packages it could be extremely hard work:

General / Structure

Move most-used rules (high hit count) to the top
Place specific rules before general ones
Broad rules (Any / large networks) towards the bottom
Use clear sections / inline layers for readability

Analysis & Maintenance

Zero-hit rules:

verify (shadowed vs. obsolete)
remove or disable

Merge duplicate or overlapping rules
Maintain comments (rule purpose / business context)

Performance & Logging

High-hit allow rules: consider Track = None if logging not absolutely necessary
Log selectively, not everywhere

Tips to get rid of “Any” rules

Temporarily enable logging on the Any rule
Analyze in SmartLog / SmartEvent:

which ports
which applications

Split the rule:

explicit services (e.g. TCP 443, 22)
or Application Control instead of ports

Use Policy Optimizer for automatic suggestions (Tufin, AlgoSec or similar)
Monitor after changes, then remove the Any rule

Re: Question about optimizing policies

PhoneBoy — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:25:35 GMT

We have something called Policy Insights that can help with this.
It is a paid feature available in our AI Management bundles (appropriate SKUs are here https://www.checkpoint.com/resources/items/solution-brief-ai-powered-security-management-for-the-hyperconnected-world ).

Re: Question about optimizing policies

the_rock — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:29:52 GMT

Personally bro, but this is just me, I always create inline layers where needed and use ordered layers as well. Make sure to disable any unused rules (or delete them if 100% sure no hits). Hope my post below helps.

https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/General-Topics/Lab-setup-video/m-p/268062

Happy to show you all this in smart console as well, though video explains it pretty well (I would say). I also attached simple word doc about it as well.