topic Upcoming Changes to SMS-Based Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Notifications in Spark Firewall (SMB) https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/Spark-Firewall-SMB/Upcoming-Changes-to-SMS-Based-Multi-Factor-Authentication-MFA/m-p/282700#M14157 <P>Hi,</P> <P>As part of our ongoing service optimization efforts, we are implementing changes to SMS-based services.</P> <P>Effective <STRONG>January 31, 2027</STRONG>, SMS delivery for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and notifications will be supported only in the countries listed below.</P> <P><STRONG>&nbsp;</STRONG></P> <P>Customers located in countries not listed above will no longer be able to use SMS for MFA verification or notifications.</P> <P>To ensure uninterrupted access to our services, we recommend the following alternatives:</P> <UL> <LI><STRONG>Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)</STRONG></LI> </UL> <P>We strongly recommend transitioning to an authenticator application for MFA verification. Authenticator-based authentication provides enhanced security and a more reliable user experience than SMS-based verification.</P> <UL> <UL> <LI>For VPN RA MFA, “external SMS provider” option is also available.</LI> </UL> </UL> <UL> <LI><STRONG>Notifications</STRONG></LI> </UL> <P>To continue receiving alerts and important updates, please configure email notifications as an alternative to SMS notifications.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>We encourage all affected users to review and update their settings before <STRONG>January 31, 2027</STRONG>, to avoid any disruption to service.</P> <P>If you have any questions or require assistance with this transition, please contact product managements.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>See below dedicated SK:<BR /><A href="https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk1000182" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk1000182</A></P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P><STRONG><U>Countries Where SMS Services Will Remain Available:</U></STRONG></P> <UL> <LI>Australia</LI> <LI>Austria</LI> <LI>Bahrain</LI> <LI>Brazil</LI> <LI>Canada</LI> <LI>Chile</LI> <LI>Colombia</LI> <LI>Cyprus</LI> <LI>Czech Republic</LI> <LI>Denmark</LI> <LI>Estonia</LI> <LI>Finland</LI> <LI>France</LI> <LI>Germany</LI> <LI>Greece</LI> <LI>Hong Kong</LI> <LI>Hungary</LI> <LI>India</LI> <LI>Ireland</LI> <LI>Israel</LI> <LI>Italy</LI> <LI>Japan</LI> <LI>Lithuania</LI> <LI>Macau</LI> <LI>Malta</LI> <LI>Nederland</LI> <LI>Norway</LI> <LI>Poland</LI> <LI>Portugal</LI> <LI>Romania</LI> <LI>Singapore</LI> <LI>Slovakia</LI> <LI>South Korea</LI> <LI>Spain</LI> <LI>Sweden</LI> <LI>Switzerland</LI> <LI>Taiwan</LI> <LI>Turkey</LI> <LI>United Kingdom</LI> <LI>United States</LI> <LI>Uruguay</LI> </UL> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Thanks,</P> <P>Noa Alon,<BR /><SPAN>Spark Firewall (SMB) , Project Manager</SPAN></P> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:48:36 GMT Noa_Alon 2026-09-23T13:48:36Z Upcoming Changes to SMS-Based Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Notifications https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/Spark-Firewall-SMB/Upcoming-Changes-to-SMS-Based-Multi-Factor-Authentication-MFA/m-p/282700#M14157 <P>Hi,</P> <P>As part of our ongoing service optimization efforts, we are implementing changes to SMS-based services.</P> <P>Effective <STRONG>January 31, 2027</STRONG>, SMS delivery for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and notifications will be supported only in the countries listed below.</P> <P><STRONG>&nbsp;</STRONG></P> <P>Customers located in countries not listed above will no longer be able to use SMS for MFA verification or notifications.</P> <P>To ensure uninterrupted access to our services, we recommend the following alternatives:</P> <UL> <LI><STRONG>Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)</STRONG></LI> </UL> <P>We strongly recommend transitioning to an authenticator application for MFA verification. Authenticator-based authentication provides enhanced security and a more reliable user experience than SMS-based verification.</P> <UL> <UL> <LI>For VPN RA MFA, “external SMS provider” option is also available.</LI> </UL> </UL> <UL> <LI><STRONG>Notifications</STRONG></LI> </UL> <P>To continue receiving alerts and important updates, please configure email notifications as an alternative to SMS notifications.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>We encourage all affected users to review and update their settings before <STRONG>January 31, 2027</STRONG>, to avoid any disruption to service.</P> <P>If you have any questions or require assistance with this transition, please contact product managements.</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>See below dedicated SK:<BR /><A href="https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk1000182" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk1000182</A></P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P><STRONG><U>Countries Where SMS Services Will Remain Available:</U></STRONG></P> <UL> <LI>Australia</LI> <LI>Austria</LI> <LI>Bahrain</LI> <LI>Brazil</LI> <LI>Canada</LI> <LI>Chile</LI> <LI>Colombia</LI> <LI>Cyprus</LI> <LI>Czech Republic</LI> <LI>Denmark</LI> <LI>Estonia</LI> <LI>Finland</LI> <LI>France</LI> <LI>Germany</LI> <LI>Greece</LI> <LI>Hong Kong</LI> <LI>Hungary</LI> <LI>India</LI> <LI>Ireland</LI> <LI>Israel</LI> <LI>Italy</LI> <LI>Japan</LI> <LI>Lithuania</LI> <LI>Macau</LI> <LI>Malta</LI> <LI>Nederland</LI> <LI>Norway</LI> <LI>Poland</LI> <LI>Portugal</LI> <LI>Romania</LI> <LI>Singapore</LI> <LI>Slovakia</LI> <LI>South Korea</LI> <LI>Spain</LI> <LI>Sweden</LI> <LI>Switzerland</LI> <LI>Taiwan</LI> <LI>Turkey</LI> <LI>United Kingdom</LI> <LI>United States</LI> <LI>Uruguay</LI> </UL> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Thanks,</P> <P>Noa Alon,<BR /><SPAN>Spark Firewall (SMB) , Project Manager</SPAN></P> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:48:36 GMT https://community.checkpoint.com/t5/Spark-Firewall-SMB/Upcoming-Changes-to-SMS-Based-Multi-Factor-Authentication-MFA/m-p/282700#M14157 Noa_Alon 2026-09-23T13:48:36Z