Check Point

Check Point Software Technologies — Vendor Overview

V024 · Network Security, SASE, Threat Prevention · 3 active certifications · SA presence: Moderate

Quick pitch: Check Point is a pioneering enterprise firewall and threat prevention vendor; CCSA certifications are widely recognised in enterprise security roles, though the vendor faces competition from newer platforms (Palo Alto, Fortinet, Zscaler).

Company Snapshot

What Check Point Does

Check Point manufactures enterprise firewalls and network security appliances. The flagship product is Quantum (CloudGuard), a cloud-native security platform. Check Point pioneered stateful firewall technology in the 1990s and remains a respected network security vendor, though newer vendors (Palo Alto, Fortinet) have gained significant market share.

Check Point owns approximately 15% of the firewall market globally (declining from historical peaks). Revenue is 70% subscriptions, 30% products and services. The certification program is designed for network security engineers and administrators.

Certification Portfolio

Recommended starting cert

CCSA — Entry-level credential validating Check Point firewall administration and basic security concepts. Suitable for network security engineers. 90-minute exam; ~60–70 questions. 3-year validity. ~1–2 months study with lab access.

Why Check Point Matters in 2026

Check Point is a pioneering enterprise security vendor with approximately 15% firewall market share (declining). LinkedIn shows 1,800+ open CCSA job postings. CCSA is recognised in enterprises running legacy Check Point infrastructure, though newer platforms (Palo Alto, Fortinet) are preferred for new deployments.

Check Point faces headwinds from newer, more agile vendors. However, the company's installed base ensures continued demand for CCSA certifications in enterprises with legacy Check Point infrastructure. Certification ecosystem is stable but not growing.

Job Market Data

Common job titles

South Africa Presence

Direct presence

Check Point operates through partners in South Africa. Partners include IS Global, Westcon-Comstech, and regional integrators. Technical support and training available through these channels.

SA job market

Some SA enterprises run Check Point infrastructure, particularly in government and financial services. CCSA certifications are recognised but less in-demand than Palo Alto or Cisco. Domestic market is limited and stable.

Median salary for CCSA-certified Security Engineers in SA is R80,900/month (approximately $4,400 USD).

SA training providers

Vendor Ecosystem

Key technologies and platforms

• Quantum Firewall (next-generation firewall)
• CloudGuard (cloud-native security)
• Threat Extraction (advanced threat prevention)
• SandBlast (malware protection)
• SmartConsole (management interface)

Complementary vendors and certs

Community and resources

Vendor History & Roadmap

Key milestones

Outlook

Check Point remains a respected legacy enterprise security vendor but faces headwinds from newer competitors. For certification professionals, CCSA remains secure in enterprises with existing Check Point infrastructure, but growth is limited. New deployments increasingly favour Palo Alto, Fortinet, or Zscaler.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Check Point worth investing in for my career? Moderately. CCSA is recognised in enterprises with legacy Check Point infrastructure, but growth prospects are limited compared to Palo Alto or Fortinet.

Q: How often do Check Point certs expire? All certifications expire after 3 years. Renewal requires passing renewal exams.

Q: Are Check Point certs recognised in South Africa? Moderately. Some SA enterprises use Check Point, but demand is stable rather than growing.

Q: What's the best cert to start with from Check Point? CCSA. Entry point for security engineers. Expect 1–2 months study.

Related Content

• Cert Roadmap →
• Ecosystem Deep Dive →
• Individual Cert Files →

Sources

Template version: 2026-05-03 | Maintained by IT Career Roadmap