Check Point Expands OPSEC Alliance to Include Security Assessment Tools and Services; Leading Security Assessment Vendors Join New OPSEC Initiative.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2002

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today launched a new OPSEC(TM)(Open Platform for Security) initiative to address the growing customer interest in integrating security assessment with virtual private networks and security infrastructures. Security assessment tools and services will leverage the OPSEC framework to automatically inform and alert Check Point VPN-1(R)/FireWall-1(R)administrators of potential vulnerabilities in their networks, ensuring precise security policies are maintained at all times. Leading security assessment vendors joining the new OPSEC initiative include: Akaba Inc., BindView (Nasdaq:BVEW), eSec A/S, Intranode, Lumeta, NetIQ (Nasdaq:NTIQ), Qualys, Veritect and VIGILANTe.

"Periodic and continuous vulnerability assessments have increasingly become an area of importance, as organizations incorporate more proactive methods to enhance their IT security posture," said Allan Carey, senior analyst for IDC. "By adding the security assessment initiative, Check Point's OPSEC, recognized for its security framework, continues to address customers' requirements for tightly integrated security solutions that ensure interoperability with VPN-1/FireWall-1."

Check Point's OPSEC program includes a rigorous certification process, ensuring the interoperability of industry-leading security assessment tools and services with Check Point's Secure Virtual Network (SVN) architecture. Customers can confidently deploy security assessment tools that will interoperate with Check Point's market-leading VPN-1/FireWall-1 Next Generation software and enhance overall security.

"With the widespread deployment of VPNs and security, there is a growing customer interest in security assessment," said Asheem Chandna, vice president of business development and product management for Check Point Software Technologies. "Our new OPSEC initiative uniquely allows customers to be proactively notified regarding potential vulnerabilities, enabling the highest levels of security."

About Check Point's OPSEC

OPSEC (Open Platform for Security) is the industry's open, multi-vendor security framework. With over 300 partners, OPSEC guarantees customers the broadest choice of best-of-breed integrated applications and deployment platforms that support Check Point's Secure Virtual Network Architecture. Products that carry the OPSEC Certified seal have been tested to guarantee integration and interoperability. For complete OPSEC Alliance program information, including partner and product listings, the freely available OPSEC SDK (software development kit) and evaluation versions of OPSEC Certified products, visit http://www.opsec.com.

About Check Point Software Technologies

Check Point Software Technologies is the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. It is the confirmed market leader of both the worldwide VPN and firewall markets. The company's Secure Virtual Network (SVN) architecture provides the VPN and security infrastructure that uniquely enables secure and reliable Internet communications. SVN solutions, as delivered in the company's Next Generation product family, secure business communications and resources for corporate networks, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. Extending the power of SVN is Check Point's Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from over 300 leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of 2,000 certified partners in 203 countries. For more information, please call us at 800/429-4391 or 650/628-2000 or visit us on the Web at http://www.checkpoint.com or at http://www.opsec.com.

Check Point, the Check Point logo, FireWall-1, FireWall-1 SecureServer, FireWall-1 SmallOffice, FloodGate-1, INSPECT, IQ Engine, Meta IP, MultiGate, Open Security Extension, OPSEC, Provider-1, SecureKnowledge, SecureUpdate, SiteManager-1, SVN, UAM, User-to-Address Mapping, UserAuthority, Visual Policy Editor, VPN-1, VPN-1 Accelerator Card, VPN-1 Gateway, VPN-1 SecureClient, VPN-1 SecuRemote, VPN-1 SecureServer, VPN-1 SmallOffice, and ConnectControl are trademarks, service marks, or registered trademarks of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. or its affiliates. All other product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.