Deputy Head of IT department at UkrGasBank
Real User
Provides users with secure, seamless remote access to corporate networks
Pros and Cons
  • "It operates effectively, particularly during challenges like adversities or infrastructure issues."
  • "There were some issues with automation and instability."

What is our primary use case?

In the context of general user remote access, we utilize Check Point VPN concentrators that serve as both Internet firewalls and error ID locations. Our remote access system, constructed on a Check Point foundation, consists of four systems.

What is most valuable?

Currently, I'm part of the network team, and my primary concern revolves around maintaining a stable connectivity setup. It's important for this connectivity solution to have provisions, possibly within AWS, that enhance security measures and provide more security-related advantages. From my standpoint, our solution serves a general purpose. It operates effectively, particularly during challenges like adversities or infrastructure issues. Overall, it suits our needs well.

What needs improvement?

There were some issues with automation and instability. But overall, these self-integrated products offer exceptional support and prove highly beneficial from an administrative standpoint. It isn't overwhelming, as seen with instances like in other vendors. The platform is convenient to manage and scalable.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Check Point Remote Access VPN for one year. 

Buyer's Guide
Check Point Remote Access VPN
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Check Point Remote Access VPN. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
767,319 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. I rate the scalability a nine out of ten. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is essential in our case. We encountered a few instances related to next-generation firewalls, though they might not be of direct interest.

In general, the response rate to our inquiries has been quick. Our cases are categorized as server-to-server or critical solutions, resulting in immediate internet connectivity for addressing the issue. The level of support we receive is of a very high standard.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

We previously used Cisco AnyConnect. Both solutions are similar. However, the difference lies in the security features rather than the networking aspects.

Ultimately, the decision was made to expand and implement Check Point for the entire user base. This choice was reasonable based on the circumstances and the initial security in Check Point. We also had a phase where we utilized both solutions simultaneously. Eventually, due to our requirements, switching solely to Check Point proved to be the more precise decision, aligning with our corporate requirements.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is not very easy and we are partnered with highly qualified engineers to deploy the solution. The process involves designing the overall network module, carrying out installations, configuring appropriately, and initiating the initial setup. The array agent is then deployed to individual personal computers. It takes almost one quarter.

What about the implementation team?

We had a partnered team with highly qualified engineers to deploy the solution.

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


What other advice do I have?

When working with remote access, the goal is to define the exact issue we aim to resolve. Identifying a suitable solution for discussions is crucial while focusing on establishing a high-level solution design. Following this, the implementation can proceed. Formulating a solid architecture utilizing Check Point isn't overly complex. The service switches provided within the system confer a sophisticated level of functionality.

Based on these, I would rate it a nine 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.
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
Richard Hermogeno - PeerSpot reviewer
Channels Management Head at Philippine National Bank
Real User
Top 5
A Great Solution That Offers Seamless Remote Access To Our Organization’s On-Premise Applications
Pros and Cons
  • "Check Point Remote Access VPN enables us to access on-premise applications while working from remote locations."
  • "I would like the support to be faster."

What is our primary use case?

Check Point Remote Access VPN enables us to access on-premise applications while working from remote locations.

What is most valuable?

The feature that I found most valuable is how conveniently Check Point Remote Access VPN allows us to access our HR system. We use it for the process of logging in and logging out.

What needs improvement?

I think Check Point Remote Access VPN is good enough to suffice our needs. At present, I don't have any complaints about the tool.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Check Point Remote Access VPN since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

In our organization, approximately 3,000 users work on Check Point Remote Access VPN. The number may go up if we hire more employees.

How are customer service and support?

I think that the tech support provided by Check Point Remote Access VPN is good. Also, I would add that I have no complaints.

How was the initial setup?

I would say that the initial setup was straightforward. The deployment process took place on weekends and during non-banking hours. In our organization, we only need around 10 to 15 employees, who include network administrators, developers, and project managers, for the deployment and maintenance of Check Point Remote Access VPN.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment was conducted with the help of our in-house team.

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

I won't be in a position to answer this question. But, I can say that the licensing costs are charged annually.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated alternative options by using Forcepoint as a benchmark.

What other advice do I have?

I would like the support to be faster. I rate this solution a nine 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?

Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Check Point Remote Access VPN
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Check Point Remote Access VPN. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
767,319 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Voice and data infrastructure specialist at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
User
Great VPN connection that helps extend infrastructure and is perfect for remote worker access
Pros and Cons
  • "Scalability is great. We have been able to grow as a corporation due in part to this type of solution."
  • "Without a doubt and with the new trends in technology, Check Point should already have a blade with a 2MFA solution and not through some other vendor."

What is our primary use case?

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, this solution has helped us a lot. We had to move around 6000 people so that they could work from home. It was a challenge for us, however, it was something we managed to do successfully in collaboration with other areas by providing them with a certificate created by Check Point with a .p12 extension and with the peer configuration in their VPN client. 

Now, we are integrating this solution with a 2MFA solution in order to provide better security for authentication of people as day by day the threats and new viruses are always a risk. Sometimes, people do not have that instinct of having to secure their workstations, therefore, we do it for them through the VPN connection.

How has it helped my organization?

Connection through VPN has helped us with the connection to corporate. This type of connection has been very useful to us since, as infrastructure personnel, we can establish a connection to our corporate to make a connection either RDP or directly to services in order to be able to carry out any work activity or review any report by the operational part in order to speed up response times. We can connect to our network equipment by SSH, RDP, or via the web, however, only when we have this type of secure connection.

What is most valuable?

One of the features that has helped us the most with our solutions has been the P2P connection through an IPsec VPN. It has allowed us to extend our infrastructure and grow with new clients. Previously, we had around 15 corporate clients. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have managed to grow and now have around 35 new corporate clients and more than 6 people connected by VPN. This has forced us to increase our infrastructure to be able to support all these connections and to have a stable, reliable, and, above all, scalable solution that can interconnect more clients.

What needs improvement?

We have not migrated to the R81 version and I do not doubt that it will have some improvements compared to the version we use today. 

Without a doubt and with the new trends in technology, Check Point should already have a blade with a 2MFA solution and not through some other vendor. This type of integration would undoubtedly give it a better reach and greater market with new security trends top of mind. 

I know that everything is moving to a cloud environment, however, for all those corporates that still do not trust such an environment, it would be favorable to offer a 2MFA service in a solution tested through a blade or in the cloud. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for more than five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The remote workers were experiencing issues like disconections, no IP avaliables from the DHCP, or unable to connect because the server didnt responde to a ping, however this issue was fix after we instlalled the JHF 125 on each gateway and after the upgrade, everythig has been working OK, but before that Check Point didn´t have a fix for that manner.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is great. We have been able to grow as a corporation due in part to this type of solution.

How are customer service and support?

They have been with us when we needed help. We don't have any complaints about their level of service.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

We did use a different solution and we switched due to the fact that Check Point is more secure and has more features for the type of connections we need.

How was the initial setup?

It was a straightforward setup.

What about the implementation team?

The product was integrated with in-house personnel.

What was our ROI?

We've seen about a 40% ROI.

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

Check Point is an expensive solution, however, it has more features and is more secure than other options.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Ae evaluated AnyConnect and Palo Alto.

What other advice do I have?

We would like them to add a 2MFA feature in the future. This is our direct request.

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
Adrian Cambronero - PeerSpot reviewer
Consultant at ITQS
Reseller
Top 5Leaderboard
Provides safe connection, good security, and remote access
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution implemented in the cloud allows us to easily scale in cases of user increase."
  • "Sometimes it causes the consumption of machine resources, and also improves the scanning since they consume many resources in the clients' machines."

What is our primary use case?

The company needs a tool that will provide users with the ability to connect from external addresses and that is where Check Point Endpoint Remote Access VPN services were contracted, which allows users to connect to our firewall. We also have Check Point firewalls in the cloud, to which people can also connect. They can then access the resources in our on-premises environment that they need to access, such as their computers, the Intranet, Salesforce, or our production applications, and have a 100% secure connection.

How has it helped my organization?

Check Point Remote Access VPN has helped us that our users and providers can connect to our network in a safe and efficient way, with the pandemic most of our collaborators worked from home with this tool we were able to solve those connections and maintain the security of the company through policies and rules and managed to make everyone connect in an easy way, the solution has allowed us to eliminate the local VPN solution and eliminate the firewalls of the data center. The solution implemented in the cloud allows us to easily scale in cases of user increase

What is most valuable?

Check Point Remote Access VPN has helped us in that our users and providers can connect to our network in a safe and efficient way. With the pandemic, most of our collaborators worked from home with this tool we were able to solve those connections and maintain the security of the company through policies and rules and managed to make everyone connect in an easy way. The solution has allowed us to eliminate the local VPN solution and eliminate the firewalls of the data center. The solution implemented in the cloud allows us to easily scale in cases of user increase

What needs improvement?

One of the parts where the improvement of Check Point Remote Access VPN can be forced is in the compliance analysis. Sometimes it causes the consumption of machine resources, and also improves the scanning since they consume many resources in the clients' machines.

Another point to improve is to program a timeout if the VPN is disconnected due to an internet problem. One complication that we found is that the Linux machines do not have a complete client to do the installation and that has not delayed a bit with our users who use this type of operating system

For how long have I used the solution?

This solution has been used for approximately Three years in the company.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's very stable in terms of downtime. The performance is very impressive.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution can be easily scaled by adding a security gateway and general security and is very robust.

How are customer service and support?

On some occasions, we have had problems. Sometimes it takes a long time to resolve a case while on other occasions they resolve very quickly.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

There was no type of tool that would supply these qualities.

How was the initial setup?

The configuration was very simple. The application is a very user-friendly tool apart from training and courses for implementation.

What about the implementation team?

A Check Point engineer who had a lot of experience in his work helped us with the implementation.

What was our ROI?

Mainly, it offers stability and detects behaviors, and gives users (and administrators) a level of trust as they go about their daily work. It introduces a lot of granularity to our policies.

Another feature that has been helpful is the sandbox feature. Many companies offer this type of thing now, however, Check Point has been offering it for quite some time.

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

Check Point manages to provide good cost in its products and it is worth making the investment since this solution can prevent a collapse in the organization.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Check Point was always our first option with this type of solution since many security teams are from Check Point.

What other advice do I have?

One of the main aspects of importance in a company is the security of the computer platforms. When making an investment with these tools you are taking care of an important patrimony that will double your profits.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud

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

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
Web Developer at Netconomy Software & Consulting GmbH
User
Top 20
Compatible across devices, reasonably priced, and secures confidential information
Pros and Cons
  • "It keeps us safe when browsing the internet and when sharing confidential information with our colleagues."
  • "Sometimes the application slows down the computing device, and this affects workflows."

What is our primary use case?

The remote VPN enables us to connect our devices under a controlled network infrastructure. It protects the channels for transferring data and confidential information. 

It connects our managers with remote employees to enhance efficiency in the implementation of projects and tasks. Check Point Remote Access VPN blocks unauthorized access to our computing devices. 

It is easy to install and use this VPN for any new user. It keeps all the teams under the same collaboration and networking channel safe. Information encryption secures end-to-end conversation among teams.

How has it helped my organization?

I have experienced the most benefits while using this product in the organization. 

It keeps us safe when browsing the internet and when sharing confidential information with our colleagues. 

When working on joint projects and tasks this product prevents external cyber attacks from attacking our privacy. 

Teams operating from remote areas can customize the location features and set suitable IP addresses that serve them well. 

The speed and reliability enable us to achieve the set targets and initiate trade-offs.

What is most valuable?

It has a simple user interface that is easy to operate and set up. 

The customer support staff provides 24/7 customer support services that enhance effective service delivery. 

The premium version provides the most advanced services that are always effective. 

The cost of maintenance and privacy policies suits our daily demands. 

It is compatible with most devices and can easily integrate with most applications in the organization. 

There is no apparent IP leak and it connects firmly without disconnecting.

What needs improvement?

This version has comprehensive features that provide reliable services based on the organization's requirements. 

Sometimes the application slows down the computing device, and this affects workflows. 

Most modern VPNs offer more features that are more powerful as compared to the ones set up in this system. 

The focus of the next release should be on the compatibility and speed of this platform so that it can easily compete with other products.

It should be customized to accept more languages and more locations.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for 14 months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The operations and stability have been firm and reliable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This is great and scalable product.

How are customer service and support?

The customer support staff offers great services.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

I have not worked with different solutions.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation took place through the vendor.

What was our ROI?

There is increased ROI from its reliable performance.

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

It is cost-effective.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have only had experience with this VPN.

What other advice do I have?

The performance has been good and I recommend it to other business enterprises.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Erick Chinchilla Mena - PeerSpot reviewer
Profesional Gestión Informática 2 - Especialista en Sistemas de Información at CompuGuana
Real User
Top 5
Good integration, great for remote access, and centralizes users effectively
Pros and Cons
  • "We can integrate remote access to our branches through Check Point services."
  • "We'd like to integrate Check Point into the Remote Access VPN solution and have the ability to integrate multiple devices as access points through the solution."

What is our primary use case?

We needed to grow a little more at a cloud level, which means that we have had more places in which we host information, and needed to protect it. We needed to allow users to have access from the different branches in the cloud to our main branch and to access remotely. As a result of these needs, we have been looking for solutions that allow us to have quick and efficient access no matter which branch we are going to access, and to have access allowed quickly and easily as if users were inside the perimeter area of ​​our organization.

How has it helped my organization?

Currently, Check Point is an ally that we have used within our organization to protect the perimeter area, the equipment, and other technologies. We have complete protection in one technology that we are using so that our users with greater frequency can access the data of our organization regardless of where they are. With this, they can have quick, simple access as if they were within the perimeter area. This has given us greater protection when it comes to having protected and verified access under user identity.

What is most valuable?

We can integrate remote access to our branches through Check Point services; however, those services come with a centralized identity, a domain identity, which does not work for the different logins. It only works for the login through the remote connection application. The user profile is centralized, verified, and filtered by the tool, thus being one of the characteristics that are very important to me since it shows any activity that the user is going to carry out.

What needs improvement?

We'd like to integrate Check Point into the Remote Access VPN solution and have the ability to integrate multiple devices as access points through the solution. This would allow us to have a tool that it is not only remote access for mobile devices but a remote access solution for virtual teams, including mobile devices such as cell phones, tablets, and other types of devices in IoT areas such as doors, houses, and medical equipment.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for one year.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Especialista Certificado en Administración de Servicios de Tecnología de la Información at AZZAIT
User
A flexible gateway with good security and helpful technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "We have more control over the activity that users have on the internal network, thanks to the monitoring offered by Check Point and the security provided by the gateway."
  • "In the case of URL translation of the VPN Web portal, the requests made from the front end to the back end weren't valid (due to the use of dynamic subdomains). In the case of host translations, the request was made to the same host, however, we cannot specify the ports, which, in our case, are used to redirect to different servers."

What is our primary use case?

Since SARS-COV2, most users went to work from their home office, so we needed to have an robust, secure, and stable VPN connection. We implemented Check Point VPN and we have had no problems with it. We are almost 50 users working from home securely. Also, the access rules based on VLANs have helped many users get access depending on which connection they have. For example, some users with VPN connections can only access some specific servers and ports, however, when they are on an internal LAN, they have access to the entire network.

How has it helped my organization?

We have more control over the activity that users have on the internal network, thanks to the monitoring offered by Check Point and the security provided by the gateway. 

I'm the IT manager for the company, and my work has been improved due to the fact that, in conjunction with VPN, we implemented the Endpoint Security client so we can manage our client's computers even if they are not physically in the office. When we need to remove some users from a VPN connection we just need to lock the account and use the assets console to disable the feature from the client's computer.

What is most valuable?

The combination of the user accounts for the VPN with the access rules provided by the security gateway gives you more control and specificity about who has access to what. For external users, we can offer a solution based on the internet needs and we are able to share information on a secure channel. We can specifically point to the desired resources in the organization without the need to install any additional software on external client machines.

What needs improvement?

It needs to improve the capability of the Secure browser VPN connections. Some in-house applications didn't work due to the use of JScript and the backend and front end technology for the applications. In the case of URL translation of the VPN Web portal, the requests made from the front end to the back end weren't valid (due to the use of dynamic subdomains). In the case of host translations, the request was made to the same host, however, we cannot specify the ports, which, in our case, are used to redirect to different servers.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for over two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's very stable, however, I recommend some scheduled restarts for cleaning connections and processes.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very easy to manage the solution and also the integration.

How are customer service and support?

I have had a good experience with the support tickets that I have dealt with.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

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

Previous to Check Point, we didn't have any gateway security.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was a little complex as it was the first time working with Check Point.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation was handled by an in-house team.

What was our ROI?

We expect that investments is recovered in two years.

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

The pricing is fair and the support team is good.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We were evaluating Fortinet as well.

What other advice do I have?

Check Point is very reliable and secure.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Recep  Alver - PeerSpot reviewer
Cyber Security Engineer at Natica IT Consulting at Natica IT Consulting
Real User
Top 5
Easy to use and set up with good security
Pros and Cons
  • "It is stable most of the time."
  • "We have noted some stability issues."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution as a VPN for connection purposes. It helps us connect to corporate. 

What is most valuable?

It is easy to use and easy to set up. The setup is very fast.

The security is pretty good. 

It is stable most of the time.

What needs improvement?

It's becoming old-fashioned and slightly out of date. We're moving towards DNS.

We have noted some stability issues. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for more than a year at this point. The company has maybe used it longer. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is very good. I'd rate it nine out of ten. It could be a bit better. It might now work with all programs. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. We have 80 or 90 users on the product.

It is not extensively used. 

How are customer service and support?

We do not need to use technical support. We are technical ourselves and can handle issues. 

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

I've used Palo Alto and Sophos, among other solutions. I've used a few different solutions. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very fast and straightforward. It only takes about five to ten minutes. 

You simply set up your firewall and handle settings and then send links to your IT team that can connect them.

What about the implementation team?

We were able to manage the setup in-house. We did not use a consultant or integrator. 

What was our ROI?

I have not witnessed any ROI. 

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

The license is renewed yearly. I'm not sure of the exact price or if it is expensive. 

What other advice do I have?

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten. 

I would advise companies to make sure the configuration is correct on the firewall.

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 Remote Access VPN Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Check Point Remote Access VPN Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.