Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) Reviews & Product Details

I find Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) to be stable and feel they offer good value for money. I really like the expansive applicability, as you can use them in numerous locations. I appreciate SecureXL and CoreXL features. The firewall software is also among the best on the market and is least likely to get breached. I value that updates are rolled out quickly after their threat evaluation team identifies security issues. Their support is top-notch, and I find the compliance blade helpful in coaching administrators on necessary improvements. The fact that Check Point hasn’t been a victim of mass data breaches is a major reason I stick with it, and I found the Gaia initial setup quite easy. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The big killer for me is the information hoarding. Unlike Cisco, which has a large open community that shares information, our Check Point community is quite small, and a lot of info is hidden behind login walls. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I really like the GUI of Check Point Next Generation Firewalls; it's very good-looking and easy to understand, which helps when creating policies and using the firewall. The network segmentation feature is also good, making it easy to apply and create policies, services, and objects. Checking logs is straightforward, and the validation process is easy too. Plus, the backup and restoration process works well, which adds to the overall value. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main issue I've noticed with Check Point Next Generation Firewalls is that it takes some time to log in using the SmartConsole, and the backup process can be a bit slow. Improving these aspects would be helpful. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

From what I've learned, the best aspects of Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) are their comprehensive security features, including intrusion prevention, application control, threat prevention, and secure VPN capabilities. They also have a centralised management console that makes it easier to configure and monitor network security across an organisation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Based on what I've read and learned, some users mention that the initial setup can be complex for beginners, and the large number of security features may require time to learn. Some organisations also feel that licensing and advanced features can be expensive compared with other firewall solutions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Most of my work with the Check Point Next Generation Firewalls involved analyzing firewall logs, verifying security policies following infrastructure changes, and examining traffic within, outside, and across the network.

One feature that came in particularly handy was having detailed information for any connection that was blocked. Rather than just getting information about the source and destination, I was able to examine the traffic at the application level to see which services and protocols were causing the traffic. In the context of policy changes or adding new apps, this allowed me to make sure that there wasn't any unnecessary exposure while retaining necessary business traffic.

Checking hit counts and ensuring that traffic was behaving as expected after making policy changes was also an important task. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The more that firewall policies increase in number, the more difficult their management will become. It is necessary to perform careful validations when making changes to such rules since their order and inspection modes will determine whether or not traffic will be treated correctly by firewalls.

Finally, I recall dealing with issues involving legitimate traffic whose treatment changed upon modifications made to the policies. It is hard to predict how such policies will interact if they are managed by several people from various departments.

Additionally, it can be problematic to maintain clean policies in the long run if their regular checks are neglected. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like Check Point NGFWs because of their strong security capabilities, centralized management, and advanced threat prevention features. The integration of features like IPS, application control, URL filtering, anti-malware, sandboxing, and threat intelligence helps provide layered protection against modern cyber threats. The SmartConsole management platform also makes it easier to monitor, configure, and maintain multiple firewalls from a single interface. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

One downside of Check Point NGFWs is that the initial setup and configuration can be complex, especially for new administrators. The licensing model can also be expensive compared to some alternatives, and major upgrades or policy changes may require careful planning to avoid disruptions. The platform is powerful, but it has a steeper learning curve compared to simpler firewall

solutions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What I appreciate most about Check Point NGFWs is the unparalleled visibility provided through the SmartConsole. Having a single pane of glass to manage complex security policies across different environments is a massive time-saver. The granular logging and 'Policy Layers' make auditing and troubleshooting much more intuitive compared to other vendors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The primary drawback of Check Point NGFWs is the steep learning curve associated with the SmartConsole. While the unified management is powerful, it can be overwhelming for junior admins or those accustomed to more intuitive, web-based interfaces. The complexity of policy layers and object management requires specialized training to master, which can lead to a slower onboarding process. Additionally, the initial configuration and the resource-heavy nature of the management server itself can be a significant hurdle for smaller environments with limited hardware budgets. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I use Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) for application control and I like the unified management through Smart Console, it's one of the best solutions on the market. I am impressed by the prevention vs detection philosophy. The Maestro orchestration technology allows for excellent scalability, providing predictability and speed in deploying a new gateway. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

If some kind of mystery starts within the cluster, for example, an asymmetric route, unraveling it is hellishly difficult, you have to use separate utilities to understand which of the 28 physical gateways is dropping the packet, and the entry threshold into Maestro requires skills. Configuration will not be easy for any level. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I appreciate Check Point Next Generation Firewalls for their strong security features and centralized management through SmartConsole. I find the integration of threat prevention technologies like IPS, Anti-Bot, and Threat Emulation to be valuable, providing multiple layers of protection. I like how the unified security approach simplifies managing policies, monitoring network activity, and maintaining a strong security posture. I also enjoy its ability to block any shady site, which adds a layer of safety against scammers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Check Point NGFWs offer excellent security, but the learning curve can be steep. The licensing model can be complex, and managing large rule bases may become challenging over time. Simplifying deployment, licensing, and policy management would make the platform even more user-friendly. The initial setup of Check Point NGFWs was moderately challenging. The deployment process is well-documented, but it still requires a solid understanding of networking and security concepts. Configuring the initial policies, routing, and security blades took some time, especially to align with our existing infrastructure. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

I like the reliability and threat-prevention accuracy of Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs). It's stable, and the security blades work consistently. The visibility into traffic makes troubleshooting straightforward. I also prefer Check Point for its stronger threat prevention, better stability, and more mature management features compared to our previous firewall vendor. The initial setup was fairly straightforward, with the wizard helping with the basics, and once the core configuration was done, the rest was manageable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The management interface can feel dated, and policy pushes take longer than they should. Logging can also lag during peak times, and upgrades sometimes require more planning than other vendors. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Check Point NGFWs stand out for their strong, multi-layered security and ability to prevent advanced threats before they impact the network. The centralized management through SmartConsole makes it much easier to control policies, monitor traffic, and maintain visibility across different environments from a single place. I also like how the platform integrates multiple security features—like IPS, sandboxing, and threat intelligence into one solution, which reduces the need for separate tools. Overall, it delivers reliable performance and scalability, making it suitable for both enterprise environments and growing infrastructures. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

The main downside is the complexity, especially during the initial setup and policy configuration. It’s not very beginner-friendly and often requires experienced engineers to deploy and manage properly. Licensing can also be confusing, with multiple bundles and add-ons that are not always clearly structured. Additionally, the cost is relatively high compared to competitors, and in some cases, support response times or update processes can be slower than expected. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.