Check Point Introduces Its Highest-Level Certification for Security Professionals

May 22, 2007; 05:32 AM
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ:CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced its most advanced and extensive certification level, empowering IT professionals to validate their extensive security expertise, advance their careers, and help organizations achieve the maximum benefit from their entire Check Point security architecture. Organizations can be confident hiring or training IT professionals with the new CCMA certification as it identifies security experts capable of designing, implementing, managing and troubleshooting complex end-to-end Check Point security architectures.

Individuals interested in taking the CCMA exam, which is the highest level of Check Point certification, must already be certified in the three lower-level Check Point certifications, the Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA), the Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE), and the Check Point Certified Security Expert Plus (CCSE Plus). This elite certification level ensures that certified master architects possess the complete technical skill set and real-world experience to plan and implement Check Point’s comprehensive security architecture.

Companies that employ professionals with the CCMA certification benefit from optimized environments and faster implementations, which add up to a better return on their IT investment. Due to the advanced level of this certification, organizations can confidently hire and train employees with the CCMA title, allowing IT professionals to advance their careers in a critical segment of the IT market. The new CCMA certification exam helps IT professionals validate key technical skills by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise of Check Point products and technologies needed to effectively secure an organization’s entire IT infrastructure.

“The CCMA certification demonstrates our continued commitment to top quality training and certification programs that help optimize Check Point environments for our customers and to develop the potential of IT professionals,” said Amnon Bar-Lev, vice president of field operations for Check Point Software Technologies. “The community of Check Point certified professionals, as well as those seeking to earn certifications, will be pleased to see that this advanced certification sets a new standard for security-focused IT professionals.”

“As a manager, there are key qualities I look for in hiring candidates. Most initials I see behind names come a dime a dozen, except for CCMA,” said Eli Faskha, president of Soluciones Seguras, a Check Point channel partner. “When I see this new Check Point certification, I know I’m dealing with a highly skilled, resourceful security professional that is serious about security policies as well as his/her career.”

Availability

The CCMA is a two-part exam available immediately in English with extra exam time given to foreign language speakers. The first part is a computer-based exam offered through Pearson VUE testing centers. The second part is a hands-on lab offered at Check Point and select international sites. The hands-on lab is by appointment only and can only be taken after successful completion of the computer-based exam. The certification is valid for two years. Additional information on this and all Check Point certifications can be found at http://www.checkpoint.com/services/education/index.html.

About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leader in securing the Internet. The company is a market leader in the worldwide enterprise firewall, personal firewall, data security and VPN markets. Check Point’s PURE focus is on IT security with its extensive portfolio of network security, data security and security management solutions. Through its NGX platform, Check Point delivers a unified security architecture for a broad range of security solutions to protect business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. The company also offers market leading data security solutions through the Pointsec product line, protecting and encrypting sensitive corporate information stored on PCs and other mobile computing devices. Check Point's award-winning ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and additional consumer security solutions protect millions of consumer PCs from hackers, spyware and data theft. Extending the power of the Check Point solution is its Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from hundreds of leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of Check Point partners around the world and its customers include 100 percent of Fortune 100 companies and tens of thousands of businesses and organizations of all sizes.