Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

On May the 4th, CheckMates will bring you a community-wide virtual event that will bring clarity to the cloud with special guests sharing their insights and inspiring you to Secure Your Everything…in the cloud and elsewhere. Register Now!

Community Updates

CheckMates Go: CloudMates, Toolbox, and TechTalks, Oh My!

PhoneBoy talks with Shay Levin and Val Loukine about some recent community projects:

• CloudMates: Our new cloud-focused community on CheckMates
• CheckMates Toolbox: A collection of useful tools developed by Check Point R&D and the CheckMates Community
• TechTalks: Our regular series designed to educate you on the latest information security technology and trends, including practical advice on protecting your critical assets from cyber attacks!

And register for our CPX 360 2021 Wrap-Up happening on April 20th @ 8am PDT/ 5pm CET.

Hot Community Topics

• R80.40 JHF Ongoing Take 102
• R80.20 JHF GA Take 190
• Quantum Smart-1 Appliances Refresh: 600-S/600-M/6000-L/6000-XL
• CloudGuard for Azure and 168.63.129.16
• R80.20.25 Locally Managed New Advanced Settings
• Migrating from Traditional to Simplified VPN
• Create Users via API
• cpwd_admin list Overview

Upcoming TechTalks

CPX 360 2021 Wrap-Up

If you missed CPX 360 2021, the premier Cyber Security Summit and Expo, the CheckMates team has you covered! Join us on April 14th where we’ll give you a brief rundown of what was announced there, including some highlights of things you may have missed! Our agenda includes the latest information about the new product families: CloudGuard, Quantum, and Harmony, re-cap of the most interesting sessions and more!

MITRE ATT&CK – from a CVE to a meaningful technique used by the attacker, first in the industry!

In this session on May 12th, we will review the new MITRE ATT&CK extension for IPS & Anti-Bot and we will give the CheckMates community the opportunity to use the extension before it is released as a public GA!

Check Point Updates

Check Point Harmony: An In-Depth Look

Harmony unifies 6 cloud-based security products to keep your remote users 100% safe. Join us Wednesday, April 21^st for this week’s edition of the Harmony Webinar Series on Harmony Email and Office.

As The Cyber World Turns: A Strategy to Increase Security Efficiency

Slowed economic growth and the push to secure systems from supply chain attacks underscores the importance of a unified security architecture that increases security efficiency. Join security evangelist Grant Asplund on April 28 as he shares the building blocks for putting in place a consolidation strategy that increases security efficiency with the Infinity platform. Register now:

• North America
• EMEA/APAC

From CyberTalk.org

• With a Chrome exploit posted on Twitter, did this ethical hacker sabotage security?
• What will the computer chip shortage mean for us in the long-term?

Upcoming CheckMates Live Events

• 27 April 2021: Russia: CloudGuard for NSX Security Best Practices
• 6 May 2021: Belux: Harmony Connect Internet Access

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

Community Updates

CheckMates Go: CloudMates, Toolbox, and TechTalks, Oh My!

PhoneBoy talks with Shay Levin and Val Loukine about some recent community projects:

• CloudMates: Our new cloud-focused community on CheckMates
• CheckMates Toolbox: A collection of useful tools developed by Check Point R&D and the CheckMates Community
• TechTalks: Our regular series designed to educate you on the latest information security technology and trends, including practical advice on protecting your critical assets from cyber attacks!

And register for our CPX 360 2021 Wrap-Up happening on April 20th @ 8am PDT/ 5pm CET.

Hot Community Topics

• R81 JHF GA Take 23
• R81 JHF Ongoing Take 25
• R81 SmartConsole Build 550
• R80.20.25 for Quantum Spark 1500/1600/1800 Appliances
• CloudGuard Network Security for Public Cloud Updates April 2021
• After Management Upgraded to R80.40, Backups are Smaller
• Gateway Applies InitialPolicy after Software Upgrade
• Stopping CLU Mode in /var/log/messages
• VPN Domain Per Community

Upcoming TechTalks

CPX 360 2021 Wrap-Up

If you missed CPX 360 2021, the premier Cyber Security Summit and Expo, the CheckMates team has you covered! Join us on April 14th where we’ll give you a brief rundown of what was announced there, including some highlights of things you may have missed! Our agenda includes the latest information about the new product families: CloudGuard, Quantum, and Harmony, re-cap of the most interesting sessions and more!

MITRE ATT&CK – from a CVE to a meaningful technique used by the attacker, first in the industry!

In this session on May 12th, we will review the new MITRE ATT&CK extension for IPS & Anti-Bot and we will give the CheckMates community the opportunity to use the extension before it is released as a public GA!

Check Point Updates

Talking Cloud with John McClure, CISO at Laureate International Universities

In Episode 29 of Talking Cloud, @Grant_Asplund has his first podcast discussion with an executive from the university industry. John McClure is the Chief Information Security Officer at Laureate International Universities. As the CISO for an organization with tens of thousands of employees and hundreds of thousands of university students, John offers some interesting insights and considerations about our changing cyber-security landscape and the benefits realized as a result of the 'forced' digital transformation we've all been through.

Check Point Harmony: An In-Depth Look

Harmony unifies 6 cloud-based security products to keep your remote users 100% safe. Join us Wednesday, April 21^st for this week’s edition of the Harmony Webinar Series on Harmony Email and Office.

As The Cyber World Turns: A Strategy to Increase Security Efficiency

Slowed economic growth and the push to secure systems from supply chain attacks underscores the importance of a unified security architecture that increases security efficiency. Join security evangelist Grant Asplund on April 28 as he shares the building blocks for putting in place a consolidation strategy that increases security efficiency with the Infinity platform. Register now:

• North America
• EMEA/APAC

Upcoming CheckMates Live Events

• 13 April 2021:
  • Russia: Maestro: новые возможности R81.10
  • Greece: Performance Optimization Part 1: Introduction
• 14 April 2021: Western US: Learn About CheckMates, Check Point's Cyber Security Community
• 15 April 2021: Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 3 - CoreXL
• 6 May 2021: Belux: Harmony Connect Internet Access

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

Community Updates

CheckMates Go: Maintaining The Tie

PhoneBoy talks with Eric Anderson at Atlantic Data Security about the psychology of always being on the defense in cyber security.

Hot Community Topics

• Malware Catcher and Analyst
• Build CloudGuard Controller, Turn on Identity Web API, Use Cloud Tags in Security Policy
• Identity Web API Showing Tagging, IP in SmartLog
• CloudGuard Threat Intelligence in Action
• PPPoE Interfaces Don't Reconnect
• It's Not The Firewall
• How To Release Lock from Objects
• Identity Awareness API

Upcoming TechTalks

TechTalk Deep Dive: CloudGuard & Aviatrix Clouding Together

In the cloud era, the role of a network security architect has become more critical than it has ever been. Complexity and human errors have always been the banes of security professionals. In this session, we will focus on how enterprises are leveraging the Check Point CloudGuard network solution and Aviatrix Multi-Cloud Network platform to improve overall security posture, ensure corporate and regulatory compliance, and embrace the exponential growth in enterprise cloud networking complexity by building on the combination of cloud security best practices and multi-cloud network architecture.

Register now for this 8th April TechTalk Deep Dive!

CPX 360 2021 Wrap-Up

If you missed CPX 360 2021, the premier Cyber Security Summit and Expo, the CheckMates team has you covered! Join us on April 14th where we’ll give you a brief rundown of what was announced there, including some highlights of things you may have missed! Our agenda includes the latest information about the new product families: CloudGuard, Quantum, and Harmony, re-cap of the most interesting sessions and more!

Check Point Updates

Check Point Harmony: An In-Depth Look

Harmony unifies 6 cloud-based security products to keep your remote users 100% safe. Join us Wednesday, April 7^th for this week’s edition of the Harmony Webinar Series on Harmony Mobile.

Upcoming CheckMates Live Events

• 8 April 2021: Spanish: Quantum Maestro
• 13 April 2021:
  • Russia: Maestro: новые возможности R81.10
  • Greece: Performance Optimization Part 1: Introduction
• 14 April 2021: Western US: Learn About CheckMates, Check Point's Cyber Security Community
• 15 April 2021: Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 3 - CoreXL
• 6 May 2021: Belux: Harmony Connect Internet Access

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

Community Updates

CheckMates Go: Maintaining The Tie

PhoneBoy talks with Eric Anderson at Atlantic Data Security about the psychology of always being on the defense in cyber security.

Hot Community Topics

• R80.40 JHF Ongoing Take 100
• R80.40 SmartConsole Build 422
• Public Beta: Harmony Connect for Users
• R80 and R80.10 End of Support in May 2021
• Best Practice for Threat Prevention API Calls to Appliance
• Preventing Users From Disconnecting Remote Access VPN Client
• Finding Rules About to Expire
• CPviewer: Visualize Your cpview/cpinfo Files

Upcoming TechTalks

TechTalk: Advanced Investigation and Remediation Using Harmony Endpoint

Join our TechTalk on March 24, 2021 at 9am Pacific/5pm CET, where you will learn:

• Critical aspects and best practices of practical endpoint security
• How to efficiently investigate & remediate real world attacks on endpoints

Check Point Updates

CISO's Secrets Podcast

Get behind the scenes of cybersecurity’s trending topics: True stories, real-life scenarios, and a solutions-focused approach with top CISO’s. This week, we are hosting Michael Kagan, CTO at NVIDIA!

Check Point Harmony: An In-Depth Look

Harmony unifies 6 cloud-based security products to keep your remote users 100% safe. Join us Wednesday, March 24^th for this week’s edition of the Harmony Webinar Series on Harmony Browse.

Microsoft and Check Point on the ROI of Cloud Security

Join Microsoft and Check Point for a business discussion around the Forrester TEI of cloud network security, digital transformation and how to best secure your clients' cloud journey. Register now for our webinar on Mar 25 in APAC, EMEA, or the Americas. 

Upcoming CheckMates Live Events

• 24 March 2021: CheckMates Live Latino America: Novedades de R81
• 25 March 2021: Adriatics: Performance Optimization Part 3 - CoreXL
• 26 March 2021: ANZ: 2021 Edition # 1
• 30 March 2021:
  • UK & Ireland: Technical Update Session
  • Caribbean: Machine Learning 101
• 1 April 2021: Canada: Remote Access and SASE
• 15 April 2021: Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 3 - CoreXL

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

Register now for CPX 360 2021

We are excited to announce CPX 360 2021, the industry's premier cyber security summit and expo. You are not going to want to miss this! We're holding it virtually on Feb 23 - 24, 2021 for EMEA and Americas timezones. Register now to attend!

CheckMates Go: Talking Cloud with Grant Asplund

The mics are turned around and PhoneBoy's the one being interviewed, this time by fellow Check Point Evangelist Grant Asplund for his Talking Cloud podcast.

CISO's Secrets Podcast

Get behind the scenes of cybersecurity’s trending topics: True stories, real-life scenarios, and a solutions-focused approach with top CISO’s. This week, we are hosting Kurt John, CISO at Siemens! 

Community Updates

• R81 JHF Ongoing Take 13
• R81 SmartConsole Build 549
• R80.10 Demo Mode Deprecation
• Verify Check Point Policy in Ansible
• Custom Updatable Objects in R80.40 or R81
• Capsule VPN with Conditional Access
• A Conversation with the Check Point Incident Response Team
• Remote Access VPN Statistics One Liner

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events planned for the next several weeks:

TechTalk: Check Point + Siemplify SOAR: Reducing Risk and Response Time to Critical Attacks

Automating your security operation is one of the essential needs when facing the most advanced multi-layered cyber security threats. In this session, we will talk about building an automated security operations playbook with Check Point Next Generation Firewalls and Siemplify SOAR, based on a specific customer case. Join us on February 17th @ 8am Pacific / 5pm CET!

Virtual User Group Events

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

• 18 February 2021:
  • Iberia: Performance Optimization, Part 1
  • Mid-Atlantic US: Remote Access and SASE Best Practices
• 2 March 2021: Poland: Issue Resolution Best Practices
• 4 March 2021:
  • Belux: Quantum and Quantum Maestro: The Future of Network Security
  • South Central US: What's New in R81
• 9 March 2021: MEA: Whats New in R81
• 16 March 2021: France: What's New in R81
• 18 March 2021:
  • Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 2 - SecureXL
  • East US: APIs, Scripts, and Automation -- Oh, My!
• 19 March 2021: Balkans: Maestro for Real
• 15 April 2021: Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 3 - CoreXL

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

Register now for CPX 360 2021

We are excited to announce CPX 360 2021, the industry's premier cyber security summit and expo. You are not going to want to miss this! We're holding it virtually on Feb 23 - 24, 2021 for EMEA and Americas timezones. Register now to attend!

CheckMates Go: CPX 360 2021 Preview on Network Security and Infinity

In this episode, we'll hear from Gera Dorfman, Benny Shlesinger, Oded Gonda, and Itai Greenberg who will give you a preview of what we'll be speaking about in more detail as part of Check Point's CPX 360 2021 conference coming up on the 23-24 February 2021 around Network Security and how we will be expanding the Infinity vision. Make sure you listen to Part 1 of our CPX 360 2021 preview if you haven't already!

CISO's Secrets Podcast

Get behind the scenes of cybersecurity’s trending topics: True stories, real-life scenarios, and a solutions-focused approach with top CISO’s. This week, we are hosting Brian Lozada, CISO of HBO Max! 

Software Updates

• R81.10 EA Program
• R80.30 JHF Ongoing Take 228
• R80.30 SmartConsole Build 99
• R80.10 JHF GA Take 288
• Infinity Next / CloudGuard WAAP Management Usability Study
• SandBlast Agent 90-Day Trial

Community Updates

• Add Cluster State to Gaia Prompt
• Requirements for Security Management Server in VMware
• Reference Questionnaire for Designing Identity-Based Security Architecture
• Authenticate to SmartConsole with Active Directory
• SSH Weak Algorithms Supported
• New Certification Model Promotions

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events planned for the next several weeks:

TechTalk: Check Point + Siemplify SOAR: Reducing Risk and Response Time to Critical Attacks

Automating your security operation is one of the essential needs when facing the most advanced multi-layered cyber security threats. In this session, we will talk about building an automated security operations playbook with Check Point Next Generation Firewalls and Siemplify SOAR, based on a specific customer case. Join us on February 17th @ 8am Pacific / 5pm CET!

Virtual User Group Events

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

• 9 February 2021: Western US: What's New in R81
• 11 February 2021: Adriatics: Performance Optimization Part 2: SecureXL
• 18 February 2021:
  • Iberia: Performance Optimization, Part 1
  • Mid-Atlantic US: Remote Access and SASE Best Practices
• 2 March 2021: Poland: Issue Resolution Best Practices
• 4 March 2021:
  • Belux: Quantum and Quantum Maestro: The Future of Network Security
  • South Central US: What's New in R81
• 16 March 2021: France: What's New in R81
• 18 March 2021: Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 2 - SecureXL
• 19 March 2021: Balkans: Maestro for Real
• 15 April 2021: Iberia: Performance Optimization Part 3 - CoreXL

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

Register now for CPX 360 2021

We are excited to announce CPX 360 2021, the industry's premier cyber security summit and expo. If the Sales Kick Off I just attended is any indication, you are not going to want to miss this! We're holding it virtually on Feb 23 - 24, 2021 for EMEA and Americas timezones. Register now to attend!

CheckMates Go: CPX 360 2021 Preview on Cloud and Endpoint Security

If you want to get a sneak peak at CPX 360 2021, take a listen to this episode of the CheckMates Go Cyber Security Podcast where we talk about our 2021 plans around Cloud and Endpoint Security! Make sure to leave us a rating and review and share with your colleagues!

Software Updates

• R81 JHF Ongoing Take 11
• R80.40 JHF GA Take 91
• R80.40 JHF Ongoing Take 92
• SmartConsole R80.40 Build 416
• R80.30 JHF GA Take 227

Community Updates

• Gateway With Only One Public IP
• VS Standby Member Can't Reach DNS or Internet
• Automatic Versus Manual NAT
• NFS Client Support
• History of Configuration/JHF Changes on a Gateway
• CA Bundle on Locally Managed SMB Gateway

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events planned for the next several weeks:

TechTalk: Check Point + Siemplify SOAR: Reducing Risk and Response Time to Critical Attacks

Automating your security operation is one of the essential needs when facing the most advanced multi-layered cyber security threats. In this session, we will talk about building an automated security operations playbook with Check Point Next Generation Firewalls and Siemplify SOAR, based on a specific customer case.

Virtual User Group Events

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

• 4 February 2021:
  • Belux: CloudGuard WAAP - Automated Web Application, API, and Bot Protection
  • Southeastern US: What's New in R81
• 9 February 2021: Western US: What's New in R81
• 11 February 2021: Adriatics: Performance Optimization Part 2: SecureXL
• 18 February 2021:
  • Iberia: Performance Optimization, Part 1
  • Mid-Atlantic US: Remote Access and SASE Best Practices

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

CheckMates Go S03E02: Is There a Talent Shortage in Cyber Security?

Is there really a talent shortage in Cyber Security? I talk with Eric Anderson at Atlantic Data Security about the reality of the situation. 

Subscribe to CheckMates Go on your favorite podcast platform. Share with your friends and colleagues!

Call For Papers: CPX 360 2021

We are excited to announce CPX 360 2021, the industry's premier cyber security summit and expo. This year the event is going virtual on Feb 23 - 24, 2021. Register now to attend!

We’re also looking for speakers who will teach, share and inspire Check Point customers and partners to use the innovations, strategies, tools, and techniques needed to prevent cyber threats! Think you got what it takes? 

Check Point Certification Program Update

Beginning 31 January 2021, Check Point is updating the certification program with new criteria for achieving the Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM) certification as well as introducing the new CCSM Elite certification. Check out the New Certification Model FAQ for details.

How-To Videos

• Generic Data Center Objects in R81
• R81 Data Center Query Objects
• R81 Identity Awareness with Azure AD

Community Updates

• New in CheckMates Labs: IoT and SOAR
• The Value of Security Vendor Self-Awareness TechTalk: Video, Slides, and Q&A
• ClusterXL, Failover, and Cisco Meraki
• Modify sshd_config in R81 and R80.40 JHF
• Check if Object Exists for IP Subnet/CIDR
• Move R77.30 Full HA Cluster to Smart-1 Cloud

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events planned for the next several weeks:

Virtual User Group Events

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

• 26 January 2021: Netherlands: Performance Optimization Part 3: CoreXL
• 28 January 2021: DACH: Performance Optimization Part 2: SecureXL
• 4 February 2021:
  • Belux: CloudGuard WAAP - Automated Web Application, API, and Bot Protection
  • Southeastern US: What's New in R81
• 9 February 2021: Western US: What's New in R81
• 11 February 2021: Adriatics: Performance Optimization Part 2: SecureXL
• 18 February 2021: Mid-Atlantic US: Remote Access and SASE Best Practices

Welcome to "This Week in CheckMates," your weekly highlight reel for all things CheckMates!
Past and future posts will be available here: The CheckMates Blog
To have these updates show up in your preferred RSS reader add the following URL: The CheckMates Blog RSS Feed
See also our social media accounts:

CheckMates Go S03E01: Dan Wiley on Cyber Threats in 2020

We're back with new episodes of the CheckMates Go Cyber Security podcast! If you missed our CheckMates Fest, Check Point's Chief Security Advisor Dan Wiley gave us an overview of what Incidence Response saw in 2020 in terms of cyber threats.

CheckMates Everywhere Winners

Congratulations to our winners of the CheckMates Everywhere Photo Contest:

• People's Choice: Brooke Cassidy
• Most Exciting Photo: Liam Churchman

• Most Beautiful Location: Andrew Pearce and Olaf Jacobi

Call For Papers: CPX 360 2021

We are excited to announce CPX 360 2021, the industry's premier cyber security summit and expo. This year the event is going virtual on Feb 23 - 24, 2021. We’re looking for speakers who will teach, share and inspire Check Point customers and partners to use the innovations, strategies, tools, and techniques needed to prevent cyber threats!

Check Point Certification Program Update

Beginning 31 January 2021, Check Point is updating the certification program with new criteria for achieving the Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM) certification as well as introducing the new CCSM Elite certification. Check out the New Certification Model FAQ for details.

Software Updates

• R80/R80.10 End of Support in May 2021

• SandBlast Agent/Endpoint Security E84.30 for Mac is GA

Community Updates

• R81 Migration Tools
• How to Configure Site-to-Site VPN as Responder Only
• URL Filtering Troubleshooting
• Disable/Delete/Rename admin User in Gaia
• AdBlock and IPS: Multiple Websites Mine Cryptocurrencies CPU Hijacking

Upcoming Events

We have a number of events planned for the next several weeks:

Value of Security Vendor Self-Awareness

Is your company really secured? How can Check Point remain relevant in the ever-changing attack landscape? Join us on 20 January 2021 when @Irina_Shalem will give you a unique peek under the hood of a platform enabling Check Point to stay head of new, sophisticated multi-stage attacks!

Virtual User Group Events

While anyone is welcome to register for a CheckMates Live Virtual Edition event, events are limited to a certain number of participants with priority given to those within the specified geographic area.
If you're interested in a specific topic for your area, contact us and we'll be happy to arrange a session for your area!
Bookmark the CheckMates Calendar to have an up-to-date list of events at your fingertips!
If you attend CheckMates Live events, you can get CPE credit! 

• 26 January 2021: Netherlands: Performance Optimization Part 3: CoreXL
• 28 January 2021: DACH: Performance Optimization Part 2: SecureXL

The CheckMates Community became increasingly important during 2020 as a resource to help you secure your everything under the new normal. We could not have done it without the contribution of all of you, but especially our Champions for 2020! So, rather than our weekly This Week in CheckMates post, we will highlight and recognize our Champions for their fantastic contributions!

If you haven't registered yet, please join us on 6 January 2021 @ 8am Pacific / 5pm CET as we celebrate our Champions, showcase your photos from the CheckMates Everywhere contest, discuss Check Point's Product Roadmap, led by VP of Products Dr. Dorit Dor and team, as well as some tales from Incident Response with our head of Threat Management and Chief Security Advisor Dan Wiley. We also have some amazing prizes to give away!

Members of the Year

Congratulations to @HeikoAnkenbrand, @Danny, and @Timothy_Hall, all three of which who have been previous Champions and continue to make fantastic contributions to the community! Some key contributions from each include:

Heiko:

• Face Recognition with R81
• Easy Execute CLI Commands from Management on Gateways
• R80.x Ports Used by Various Check Point Modules

Danny:

• Remote Access VPN Statistics One-Liner
• One-Liner to Update IpToCountry Data on Security Management
• CoreXL Dynamic Balancing

Tim:

• How to Disable IPS Protections in Bulk
• Uneven Use of Multiqueue CPU Cores
• How to Disable SecureXL for Specific Source to Specific Destination

Rising Stars

Congratulations to @Magnus-Holmberg and @Norbert_Bohusch whom made a significant impact to the community this year! A few key contributions from each include:

Magnus:

• How to Import Multiple Objects into R8x Management Using .CSV
• How to Add Additional Log Space in a VM
• How to Use fw monitor

Norbert:

• Management Server Behind NAT: Cannot Get Logs from One Cluster
• Changing the Certificate Presented for Endpoint Security Client
• Enable Tracking All Rules Not Working After Upgrade to R80.x

Contributions of the Year

Congratulations to these award-winning contributions!

• Easy Mobile User License Tool from @HeikoAnkenbrand
• ASA to VSX: Translate Your Cisco Running Configuration to VSX from @FedericoMeiners
• CPviewer: Visualize your cpview/cpinfo Files in 5 Minutes from @Petar_Markota