Security is hard. Internal and external customers demand continuous availability, and the business often initiates plans without consulting security teams. This often leaves the security practitioner in the challenging position of having to slow business initiatives or insert security controls after network, application or system designs are complete.
To help address this issue, Check Point and IBM are deepening their nearly two-decades’ long relationship. The companies have identified four integration areas designed to simplify security integration and improve the reliability and effectiveness of advanced threat protections.
The four integration areas are:
- Analytics and intelligence
- Security research
- Mobility
- Security services
Analytics and intelligence: Check Point is developing a SmartEvent app that will be deployed on the IBM Security App Exchange. This app will enable integration of the Check Point SmartEvent data with IBM Security QRadar, bringing leading analytical tools into a combined intelligence platform. Analysts can access the full set of QRadar and SmartEvent functions within the QRadar console. This integration significantly speeds the analytical process; all analysis functions can be carried out within the QRadar console. Analysts also benefit from SmartEvent’s internal aggregation functions, which help summarize the Check Point logs into more easily understandable event information with the option to fine-tune Check Point protections directly from the SmartEvent toolset operating as an integrated application within QRadar.
Security Research: The IBM X-Force and Check Point research teams will share information on new and evolving attacks. The combined investigative effort can provide a range of benefits to customers and the broader security community. This includes continuous validation of security findings, to help improve customer confidence in the effectiveness of protections. The partnership also provides a global understanding of attack trends and methods, with research centers throughout the world.
Mobility: Checkpoint Mobile Threat Prevention (MTP) is now integrated with IBM MaaS360 Enterprise Mobility Management solution. This allows customers to prevent compromised devices from accessing enterprise networks and data, based on real-time insights from Checkpoint MTP and automated policy enforcement plus threat remediation from IBM MaaS360.
Security services: Many organizations struggle to apply protections efficiently across all systems and devices. The IBM Managed Security Services team can assist customers to monitor their Check Point technologies and can implement changes to policies 24x7x365 across the globe. The IBM Security Operations Centers are staffed with engineering and analysis teams who are certified on Check Point products at the highest levels, and Check Point works with IBM to ensure the IBM team members remain up-to-date on new products, technologies and methods.
The launch of the newly enriched relationship between Check Point and IBM builds on a shared history and a commitment to find new and innovative integration and partnership opportunities. Today and in the future, the two companies will seek ways to make it easier for customers to design and build their security programs in the hope security becomes an enabler and not an impediment to customer business success.