In this course, you will learn the basic concepts and skills necessary to configure Check Point Security Gateway and Management Software Blades. During this course, you will configure a security policy and learn about managing and monitoring a secure network, upgrading and configuring a security gateway, and implementing a virtual private network (VPN). Note: Supported versions R80.10 and above Check Point is a popular company that provides safe internet software and hardware internet products to the majority of the companies included in the Fortune and Global 100 top. Apart from providing these services, this vendor also developed different certifications that help candidates get the necessary skills to properly design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot Check Point systems and enterprise security deployments. Overall, Check Point certifications have three levels of difficulty. They take the candidates through different stages to help them develop the right amount of knowledge and expertise that allows them to secure a network environment with the help of Check Point technology and solutions. It allows examinees to move from the beginner to expert levels and consolidate their position in an international organization. CCSA R80 – Check Point Security Administration R80 The CCSA R80 Check Point Security Administration certification is dedicated to IT specialists who have a beginner's understanding of using Check Point services and products. This is the lowest certification level that a candidate can get if s/he wants to discover more about Check Point solutions. During the preparation process, s/he will learn how to handle different security administration tasks by using Check Point software and hardware products. If an examinee has managed to obtain this certification, this means that s/he demonstrates the following skills:

• Have a clear overview of Check Point Technology;
• Manage Security Policy;
• Monitor Traffic;
• Translate Network Addresses;
• Handle basic VPN concepts;
• Manage user access;
• Work with ClusterXL;
• Administrate Task Implementation.

The only required exam for anyone who wants to get Check Point certified has the code 156-215.80. The exam contains 100 questions to which candidates will need to give the correct answer in 90 minutes. When it comes to the prerequisites for this test, the vendor doesn’t mention any mandatory conditions. However, Check Point has some recommendations regarding the knowledge that candidates should possess. Thus, the candidates who want to take the Check Point 156-215.80 exam should have between 6 to 12 months of practical experience handling Check Point products and have a solid understanding of how networking and TCP/IP work. A candidate who adds the Check Point Security Administration certificate under his/her belt will be ranked higher in an organization than other non-certified colleagues. So, he/she can apply for the role of a Systems Administrator in any international company. According to Payscale.com, the average salary that a specialist working in this position can get is around $63k per annum. When it comes to the certification path, candidates should know that the Check Point Certified Security Administration certification represents the basic level of validation. So, once they pass this step, they can enroll in taking the next certification levels such as the Check Point Security Expert and Security Master.