Check Point Software advances its Secure Access Service Edge solution

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. announced that its enhanced Harmony Connect Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) allows:

• Zero-trust connectivity to corporate applications with cloud delivered VPN-as-a-service
• Improved connectivity speed worldwide with new global points-of-presence 
• Increased security for your environment thanks to device posture validation for remote user devices

These new features and capabilities make it easier than ever to secure remote and hybrid workforces and branch offices against Gen V cyber-threats as they connect to any resource from any device, anywhere, as they connect to any resource from any device.

Converging networking and security in the cloud, the SASE paradigm tackles the limitations of traditional network topologies.

For enterprises that need to handle expanding numbers of remote workers and branch offices while prioritising security and threat protection, implementing a SASE architecture provides numerous benefits.

“By 2025, at least 60% of companies will have specific goals and deadlines for SASE deployment, spanning user, branch, and edge access, up from 10% in 2020,” according to Gartner®. Harmony Connect SASE is the only SASE solution that focuses on prevention and has a 100% malware detection rate. This allows businesses to adopt new security paradigms that leverage the cloud’s capabilities for increased scalability, unified management, user experience, and speed, while also preventing and blocking the most evasive cyber threats before they affect operations.

“Enterprises are becoming more distributed, expanding their perimeters and increasing the risk of sophisticated network security attacks. This increased complexity requires centralized and consistent security policy management across the network. Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) is a reference architecture that addresses the security challenges of the distributed enterprise”, said John Grady, Network Security Analysts at ESG. 

He added, “Check Point’s Harmony Connect SASE solution takes a security-first approach by delivering core unified cloud security services, including next-generation firewall, advanced threat prevention, secure web gateway, zero-trust network access, data loss prevention and intrusion prevention (IPS). Check Point Software also integrates with leading networking companies to provide enterprises the flexibility to combine the best security with the best network performance.”

The Harmony Connect SASE enhanced solution will deliver:

• New VPN-as-a-service – Client-based Network-level Access – VPN-as-a-service providing the power of layer-3 network connectivity, secured by Zero-Trust access policy. The service will include embedded cloud DLP and industry-leading IPS to protect apps from the latest vulnerabilities (such as Log4J). 
• Cloud points of presence (PoPs) in new regions –With multiple availability zones (PoPs) for each region,Check PointSoftware will extend its global cloud services by adding new PoPs to its network, with new locations in Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Central US, South US, UAE and China.
• New device posture validation for managed devices – Improving security hygiene from employee devices connecting remotely. 

“WR Grace is global chemical manufacturer with 5,000 users in over 40 countries. By leveraging Harmony Connect’s Firewall as a Service and Harmony Office and Email, we can protect our users, offices and applications wherever they are located.” said David Antlitz, Global Manager, Security and Firewall Technologies, WR Grace. 

He added, “Harmony Connect SASE’s unified management allows us to address the challenges of remote connectivity, applying one unified security policy across our enterprise and simplifying administration while still delivering the highest level of security.”

“By extending Check Point’s prevention-first approach to SASE, organizations no longer need to choose between security and performance across their distributed environments,”said Itai Greenberg, VP of Product Management of Check Point Software. 

He added, “Harmony Connect unifies multiple cloud-delivered network security services and makes it simple to secure remote and hybrid workers, as well as globally distributed offices. The service is already deployed by 400 customers worldwide, and with the new enhancements, organizations will enjoy increased connectivity options, enhanced remote device security and an even better user experience. “

Harmony Connect is a fundamental network security service that provides Secure Web Gateway, Zero Trust Network Access, branch Firewall-as-a-Service, Intrusion Prevention (IPS), and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and can be implemented in minutes to enforce Zero Trust policies with a seamless user experience.