Check Point Honors U.S. Active Military and Veterans with Launch of Employee Resource Group (ERG)

Check Point is proud to unveil its new U.S. Active Military, Veterans, and Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG), a valuable resource for all US employees – veterans and non-veterans alike. This initiative signifies more than a corporate addition, as it represents our deep commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of our veterans and fostering a community of support within our organization.

There’s no better time to share this great news than as we celebrate Veterans Day, which is observed annually in the US on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the greater good. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your service and commitment.

At Check Point, we prioritize inclusivity in the workplace, which is why we have created the U.S. Active Military and Veterans ERG. Our goal is to ensure that every employee, regardless of their background, feels supported and valued. Veterans, in particular, possess valuable qualities such as experience, discipline, leadership, and resilience, which significantly contribute to our workplace culture. The establishment of the Veterans ERG allows us to fully harness and celebrate these unique strengths.

In the spirit of this initiative, we would like to introduce you to some of our veteran colleagues who have graciously offered to share their insights:

Brett Robertson, Sales at Check Point Software:

Brett shares that his drive for challenge and a sense of duty motivated him to join the military. It’s shaped his life by instilling resilience and an understanding of true teamwork. Moreover, his Army Ranger background has greatly influenced his cybersecurity career by instilling a proactive, threat-hunting mindset. “It’s all about staying one step ahead of the adversary.” Brett shares that he would like to see people, “Honor vets not just with words, but actions. Offer job opportunities, support veterans’ initiatives, pick up their tabs if having a meal out and most importantly, take the time to listen to their stories with what they are willing to share.  Thank them for putting their lives on the line so we can enjoy the freedom we all have. Many don’t understand and never will understand what it’s like living day in and day out of a combat zone just go out of your way and thank them.”

Jens Clark, Security Engineer at Check Point Software:

Jens shares that his military experience influenced his career in cybersecurity because it provided a good lens to focus on the threats and risks that face our customers on a daily basis. Some transferrable skills he gained during his time in the military include punctuality, strong work ethic, leadership, character, and integrity. Jens shares that he comes from a military family and wanted to join ever since he was a kid. It provided him with money for an education, benefits to buy my house and lifelong friends. A key message that Jens wants to share this Veterans Day is that “Veterans are just people if you want to get to know them don’t be afraid to ask questions and listen. Appreciate them for serving a country that we all live in and being willing to go further than the average American.”

Micki Boland, Security Architect at Check Point Software:

Micki shares that her military experience involved technology. After basic training and AIT she was assigned to the United States Army Information Systems Command, a global detachment. They were involved in high tech for that time, electronics, encryption, air traffic control, information systems and communications networks. This experience literally set her on the course for an exciting career in Information Technology and Cybersecurity. Micki notes that the top transferable skills she learned in the U.S. Army was teaming and problem solving. She worked closely with some of the best people in the world with same mission and objectives and the same constraints. They accomplished amazing things. Micki notes that, “the esprit de corps of my military days has been difficult to replicate in the civilian world.” When asked about initiatives or organizations that are making a significant impact on veterans’ well-being, Micki shares that she loves the Wounded Warrior Project. Micki shares that in grad school at ECU, she was in the veteran’s group and is looking forward to being an active contributor with Check Point new Veteran’s ERG Group. Micki emphasizes that, “if I could convey something important for civilians to know it is that most of the people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces have an extreme drive for service and to provide protection. Helping people, teaming, and solving difficult challenges with serious constraints. These attributes will provide value to any organization at any level. People will tell us “Thank you for your service”. Most of us will say “No, thank YOU for my service”. Because we are proud and honored to serve our nation”

Tom Williams, Incident Response at Check Point Software:

Tom shares that his initial Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was in aviation data logging, and that exposed him to a lot of cool computer systems and programs. When he left the military, he continued in IT and through various jobs in the Department of Defense and private sector, gained a lot of security knowledge. He was able to pivot with that knowledge into Check Point’s Incident Response Team. When asked what motivated him to join the military, he notes that he joined the US Marine Corps right after high school. Like many veterans his age, he watched the 9/11/01 attacks happen live, and knew he had to do something to serve. Tom found his calling, and it gave him experiences and opportunities he would have never imagined in the small town he grew up in.  Tom also shares that an organization that is close to his heart, is Team Rubicon (https://teamrubiconusa.org/). They are a veteran-led humanitarian organization, built to serve global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Tom proudly shares that he is a former board member of VetSec (https://veteransec.org/), whose mission is to create a world where no veteran pursuing a career in cybersecurity goes unemployed. In closing, Tom would like to see people honor veterans on Veterans Day and throughout the year by reaching out a hand. He says, “Give back to your community. We all serve in different ways, but our service to others is what makes us great.”

Together, we can continue to honor our heroes and create a workplace that truly reflects the values we hold dear.

* History of Veterans Day: https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp