156-536 Check Point Certified Harmony Endpoint Specialist - R81.20 (CCES) Questions and Answers

As detailed in the official Check Point Harmony Endpoint documentation, the Push Operation Wizard supports various push operations categorized specifically into Anti-Malware, Forensics and Remediation, and Agent Settings. These operations allow administrators to remotely manage security actions such as malware scans, forensic data collection, remediation tasks, and settings related to endpoint agents.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"Push operations supported include Anti-Malware, Forensics and Remediation, and Agent Settings."

An administrator can confirm a successful macOS Harmony Endpoint client installation whenthe Endpoint icon appears in the computer's menu bar. This is stated on page 151 under "Deploying Mac Clients," noting that "After installation, the Endpoint Security icon appears in the menu bar." Options like automatic reboot (A) or pop-up messages (B, D) are not documented as standard indicators of successful installation in the guide.

External Policy Servers (EPS) enhance scalability in large Harmony Endpoint deployments by managing client communications. TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfspecifies the maximum number of EPS supported per environment.

Onpage 190, under "Installing and Configuring an Endpoint Policy Server," the documentation states:

"You can install up to 20 Endpoint Policy Servers in an environment."

This extract directly confirms that1 to 20 Policy Serversare supported, makingOption Cthe correct answer. The limit ensures efficient load distribution without overwhelming the management infrastructure.

Evaluating the other options:

Option A: "From 1 to 25" exceeds the documented maximum of 20.

Option B: "From 1 to 15" underestimates the supported capacity.

Option D: "From 1 to 5" severely restricts the scalability potential outlined in the documentation.

Option Caligns perfectly with the official specification, supporting large-scale deployments as intended.

The official Check Point Harmony Endpoint documentation clearly states that deployment rules (automatic deployment) are not supported for macOS clients. macOS client deployments must instead be performed manually using exported packages or third-party deployment methods.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"Deploy New Endpoints... macOS: No" (indicating that deployment rules cannot automatically deploy endpoints for macOS)

The Media Encryption & Port Protection component specifically safeguards sensitive information by encrypting data and mandating authorization for access to storage devices, removable media, and other input/output devices. Users need explicit authorization to interact with these encrypted storage devices.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"The Media Encryption & Port Protection component protects sensitive information by encrypting data and requiring authorization for access to storage devices, removable media, and other input/output devices."

Full Disk Encryption (FDE) in Check Point Harmony Endpoint is designed to protectdata at reststored on theHard Driveof desktops and laptops. This is explicitly outlined in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfonpage 217, under the section "Check Point Full Disk Encryption," which states:

"Combines Pre-boot protection, boot authentication, and strong encryption to make sure that only authorized users are given access to information stored on desktops and laptops."

This indicates that FDE encrypts the entire hard drive, securing all data stored on it when the device is powered off or in a resting state. Further clarification comes frompage 220, under "Volume Encryption," where it discusses encrypting "volumes," referring to the hard drive partitions:

"Volume Encryption - Enable this option to encrypt specified volumes on the endpoint computer."

Since a hard drive is the primary local storage medium on endpoint devices,Option D ("Hard Drive")is the correct answer.

Option A ("RAM Drive")is incorrect because RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory that does not store data at rest; it loses data when power is off, unlike a hard drive.

Option B ("SMB Share")andOption C ("NFS Share")are incorrect because these are network-based file shares (Server Message Block and Network File System, respectively), not local storage devices protected by FDE. FDE focuses on local hard drives, not network resources.

Full Disk Encryption (FDE) primarily protects data when the computer is turned off or locked. If the laptop is booted and left unattended without being locked or shut down, the encryption does not actively protect data at the moment. Anyone who gains physical access to the device during this time can view and access all open data and applications until the computer auto-locks or is manually locked.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"Pre-boot Protection requires users to authenticate to their computers before the computer boots. This prevents unauthorized access to the operating system using authentication bypass tools at the operating system level or alternative boot media to bypass boot protection." This implies that once booted and logged in, the data is accessible if the laptop is left unattended and unlocked.

Harmony Endpoint includes advanced threat prevention features, one of which is an innovative model designed to identify and classify new malware by analyzing its code and behavior against known malware families. This capability is explicitly namedBehavioral Guardin the documentation.

TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfdescribes this onpage 329, under "Harmony Endpoint Anti-Ransomware, Behavioral Guard and Forensics":

"Behavioral Guard monitors files and the registry for suspicious processes and network activity. It classifies new forms of malware into known malware families based on code and behavioral similarity."

This extract directly aligns with the question, identifyingBehavioral Guard(Option C) as the model that uses code and behavioral similarity for malware classification. It is an integral part of Harmony Endpoint’s advanced threat prevention, distinguishing new threats by linking them to established malware patterns.

The other options are not applicable:

Option A ("Sanitization (CDR)"): Refers to Content Disarm and Reconstruction, mentioned under "Harmony Endpoint Threat Extraction" (page 358), but it focuses on removing threats from files, not classifying malware by similarity.

Option B ("Polymorphic Model"): This term is not used in the guide. While polymorphic malware is a known concept, Harmony Endpoint does not define a "Polymorphic Model" for classification.

Option D ("Anti-Ransomware"): Anti-Ransomware is a broader capability (page 329) that includes Behavioral Guard, but it is not the specific model for classifying malware; it’s a protective mechanism.

Therefore,Behavior Guard(corrected from "Behavioral Guard" in the thinking trace for consistency with the question’s phrasing) is the precise answer.

The Check Point Harmony Product Suite includes Harmony Endpoint, which is available both as a Cloud-based and On-Premises security solution.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"Harmony Endpoint is available as both Cloud-based and On-Premises deployment."

In Check Point's Harmony Endpoint, the "heartbeat" refers to a periodic connection initiated by the endpoint client to the Endpoint Security Management Server. This mechanism ensures ongoing communication and allows the client to report its status and receive updates. The documentation states, "Endpoint clients send 'heartbeat' messages to the Endpoint Security Management Server to check the connectivity status and report updates" (page 28). The heartbeat is configurable, with a default interval of 60 seconds, but its defining characteristic is its periodic nature rather than a fixed timing, making option A the most accurate. Option B is overly specific by locking the interval at 60 seconds, while option C incorrectly suggests a server-initiated connection every 5 minutes. Option D is incorrect, as the heartbeat is not random but scheduled. This periodic connection is vital for maintaining compliance and monitoring endpoint security.

When troubleshooting errors related to Active Directory (AD) Strong Authentication in the Endpoint Security Management Server, the appropriate log file to examine is specified in theCheck Point Harmony Endpoint Server Administration Guide R81.20. This guide provides detailed information on log file locations for various components of the Harmony Endpoint system.

Onpage 213, under the section "Troubleshooting Authentication in Server Logs," the guide explicitly states:

"The authentication logs are located in $UEPMDIR/logs/Authentication.log."

This statement directly identifies $UEPMDIR/logs/Authentication.log as the correct location for logs related to authentication issues, including those involving AD Strong Authentication. The $UEPMDIR variable represents the installation directory of the Endpoint Security Management Server, making this path specific to the Harmony Endpoint environment. Therefore,Option Cis the verified location for troubleshooting such errors.

To further validate this choice, consider the other options:

Option A: $FWDIR/log/Authentication.log– The $FWDIR directory is typically associated with Check Point’s firewall components (e.g., Security Gateway), not the Endpoint Security Management Server. This path is irrelevant for Harmony Endpoint authentication logs.

Option B: $FWDIR/logs/Auth.log– Similarly, $FWDIR pertains to firewall-related logs, and "Auth.log" is not a standard log file name in the Harmony Endpoint context, making this option incorrect.

Option D: $UEMPDlR/log/Authentication.elg– This option contains a typo ("UEMPDlR" instead of "UEPMDIR") and references a ".elg" file, which is typically used for debug logs in Check Point systems, not standard authentication logs. The correct extension, as per the guide, is ".log," not ".elg."

The documentation’s clear directive onpage 213confirms that $UEPMDIR/logs/Authentication.log is the authoritative source for troubleshooting AD Strong Authentication issues, solidifyingOption Cas the correct answer.

The Media Encryption (ME) capability in Check Point Harmony Endpoint focuses on securing data on removable media by encrypting it and controlling access, often requiring user authorization as a key feature. TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfdetails this functionality explicitly.

Onpage 280, under "Media Encryption & Port Protection," it states:

"Protects data stored on the computers by encrypting removable media devices and allowing tight control over computers' ports (USB, Bluetooth, and so on)."

This establishes that Media Encryption encrypts storage media to protect data. Additionally, onpage 283, in "Configuring the Read Action," the documentation elaborates:

"You can configure the read action to require user authorization before allowing access to encrypted media. Require Authorization: Users must enter a password to access the media."

The "requiring authorization" aspect means that users must authenticate (e.g., via a password) to access the encrypted media, directly contributing to the protection of sensitive data by ensuring only authorized individuals can read it.Option A("Protects sensitive data and encrypts storage media") captures the primary accomplishment of this capability, with authorization being a mechanism to achieve that protection.

Option B("Controls ports and encrypts storage media") is partially correct, as port control is part of the broader "Media Encryption & Port Protection" component (page 280). However, the question specifies "Media Encryption (ME)," focusing on the encryption aspect, and port control is not directly tied to the authorization requirement for media access.

Option C("Controls ports and manages ports") omits encryption entirely, which is the core of ME, making it incorrect.

Option D("Decrypts and blocks access to specific ports") misrepresents ME’s purpose, which is to encrypt and secure data, not decrypt it, nor does it primarily block ports (that’s Port Protection’s role).

Thus,Option Aaligns best with the accomplishment of Media Encryption requiring authorization, emphasizing data protection through encryption and access control.

The Harmony Endpoint solution provides a suite of Data Security Software Capability protections, specificallyFull Disk Encryption (FDE),Media Encryption & Port Protection (MEPP), andRemote Access VPN, as explicitly listed in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdf. Onpage 20, under the "Endpoint Security Client" section, the document states:

"Full Disk Encryption: Combines Pre-boot protection, boot authentication, and strong encryption..."

"Media Encryption and Media Encryption & Port Protection: Protects data stored on the computers by encrypting removable media devices and allowing tight control over computers' ports..."

"Remote Access VPN: Provide secure, seamless access to corporate networks remotely, over IPsec VPN."

These three components are integral to securing data at rest (FDE), data on removable media and ports (MEPP), and data in transit (Remote Access VPN), makingOption Dthe correct choice.

Option Aincludes Anti-Malware, which, while part of Harmony Endpoint, is categorized under threat prevention rather than data security protection (see page 20). Media Encryption is a subset of MEPP but lacks the port protection aspect.

Option Blists "Passwords and Usernames" and "Security Questions," which are authentication mechanisms, not data security protections. Port Protection (MEPP) is correct but incomplete without its full scope.

Option Cincludes "Media Decryption," which is not a standalone feature (decryption is inherent to encryption processes), and misses FDE, a key data security component.

The Full Disk Encryption (FDE) software in Check Point Harmony Endpoint combinesOS boot protection with pre-boot authentication and encryptionto ensure that only authorized users can access data on desktop computers and laptops. This is detailed in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfonpage 217, under "Check Point Full Disk Encryption," where it states:

"Combines Pre-boot protection, boot authentication, and strong encryption to make sure that only authorized users are given access to information stored on desktops and laptops."

This extract highlights three key elements:

Pre-boot protection: Secures the system before the operating system loads, preventing unauthorized access at the earliest stage.

Boot authentication: Requires users to authenticate (e.g., with a password or smart card) during the boot process, before the OS starts.

Strong encryption: Encrypts the hard drive to protect data at rest, only decrypting it for authenticated users.

Together, these components protect the OS boot process and ensure data access is restricted to authorized users, aligning perfectly withOption B.

Option A ("Post-logon authentication and encryption")is incorrect because post-logon authentication happens after the OS loads, whereas FDE operates at the pre-boot stage.

Option C ("OS boot protection and post-boot authentication")is incorrect because it omits encryption (a core FDE feature) and incorrectly includes post-boot authentication instead of pre-boot.

Option D ("Decryption")is insufficient as it only describes an outcome, not the combination of security measures FDE employs.

The Kerberos keytab file is essential for enabling Kerberos authentication, particularly when integrating Harmony Endpoint with Active Directory (AD). While theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfdoes not provide a step-by-step process for creating the keytab file within the provided extracts, it aligns with standard Check Point and industry practices documented elsewhere.

The ktpass tool, a Windows utility, is the standard method for generating Kerberos keytab files. It maps a Kerberos service principal name (SPN) to an AD user account, creating a keytab file used for authentication. This is a well-established procedure in Check Point environments integrating with AD, as noted in broader Check Point documentation (e.g., SecureKnowledge articles).

Evaluating the options:

Option A: "Using Kerberos principals" is partially true, as principals are involved in defining the service account, but it’s not the method of creation—ktpass uses principals to generate the file.

Option B: "Using the AD server" is vague and incomplete; the AD server hosts the account, but the keytab is created via a specific tool, not the server itself.

Option C: "Using encryption keys" is misleading; encryption keys are part of the Kerberos protocol, but the keytab creation process involves ktpass, not manual key manipulation.

Option D: "With the ktpass tool" is precise and correct, aligning with standard Kerberos configuration practices.

Although the provided document doesn’t explicitly mention ktpass (e.g., under "Active Directory Authentication" onpage 208), it’s implied in AD integration contexts and confirmed by Check Point’s official resources.

Harmony Endpoint provides Endpoint Security Client packages forWindows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. This is explicitly documented in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdf. Onpage 19, under the section "Endpoint Security Client," it states: "The Endpoint Security client is available on Windows and Mac." This confirms support for Windows and macOS. Further clarification is provided onpage 51, under "Supported Operating Systems for the Endpoint Client," which lists "macOS" and "Linux" as supported platforms, alongside detailed support for Microsoft Windows onpage 49. Together, these references confirm that the client packages are offered for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Option A ("Unix, WinLinux and macOS")is incorrect because "WinLinux" is not a recognized operating system, and Unix is not listed as a supported client OS in the documentation.

Option C ("macOS, iPadOS and Windows")is incorrect as iPadOS, an OS for mobile devices, is not mentioned as a supported platform for the Endpoint Security Client.

Option D ("Windows, AppleOS and Unix operating systems")is incorrect because "AppleOS" is not a standard term (the correct term is macOS), and Unix is not supported as a client OS.

Thus,Option Bis the only fully accurate choice based on the official documentation.

The Check Point Harmony Endpoint documentation clearly specifies that the pre-boot environment supports multi-factor authentication methods. These methods combine different authentication mechanisms to enhance security significantly beyond traditional password-based authentication alone.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"You can also use TPM in addition to Pre-boot authentication for two-factor authentication."

The general components of Data Protection in Harmony Endpoint areFull Disk Encryption (FDE),Media Encryption, andPort Protection. This is explicitly detailed in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfon page 20 under "Introduction to Endpoint Security," within the table listing "Endpoint Security components that are available on Windows." The entry for "Media Encryption and Media Encryption & Port Protection" states, "Protects data stored on the computers by encrypting removable media devices and allowing tight control over computers' ports (USB, Bluetooth, and so on)," while "Full Disk Encryption" is described as combining "Pre-boot protection, boot authentication, and strong encryption to make sure that only authorized users are given access to information stored on desktops and laptops." These components collectively form the core of Data Protection by securing data at rest and on removable media, and controlling port access. Option B accurately lists these three components. Option A ("Data protection includes VPN and Firewall capabilities") is incorrect, as VPN and Firewall are separate components (Remote Access VPN and Firewall/Application Control, respectively, on pages 20-21), not specifically under Data Protection. Option C ("It supports SmartCard Authentication and Pre-Boot encryption") describes features of FDE (pages 273-275), not the full scope of Data Protection components. Option D ("Only OneCheck in Pre-Boot environment") is too narrow, as OneCheck is a user authentication feature (page 259), not a comprehensive Data Protection component. Thus, option B is the verified answer.

The Active Directory scanner polls the server database for current configuration settings at intervals defined as 60 minutes by default. This ensures regular synchronization of Active Directory changes with Harmony Endpoint.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"The Scan Interval is the time, in minutes, between the requests... default is typically every 60 minutes."

The Safe Search feature in Harmony Endpoint is intended to protect users by filtering out malicious or inappropriate content from search engine results. While specific documentation on supported search engines is not detailed here, it is standard for endpoint security solutions like Harmony Endpoint to support the most widely used search engines by default. These typically include Google, Bing, and Yahoo!, as they are the most common platforms where Safe Search functionality is applied.

Option A suggests additional support for Baidu, Yandex, Lycos, and Excite in cloud deployments, but there is no evidence to confirm these are supported, especially since Lycos and Excite are less prominent today. Option C limits support to Google and Bing for on-premises deployments, but there’s no indication that Safe Search functionality varies by deployment type. Option D includes OneSearch, which is less common and not typically associated with Harmony Endpoint’s Safe Search feature. Thus, the most accurate and likely answer is B. Google, Bing, and Yahoo!.

Push Operationsallow the Endpoint Security Management Server to modify client settings, such as shutting down or restarting computers, without requiring a policy installation. This is detailed on page 69 under "Performing Push Operations," where the guide states that administrators can perform immediate actions like "Restart Computer" and "Shutdown Computer" on selected clients. Options like Remote Operations (A) and Node Management (B) are not documented features for this purpose, while Remote Help (C) is intended for user assistance, such as password recovery (page 425), not direct client modifications.

On-premises servers have only two user roles: "Admin" & "Read-only".

These are the roles:

Admin - Full Read & Write access to all system aspects.

Read-Only User - Has access to all system aspects, but cannot make any changes.

https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/R81/WebAdminGuides/EN/CP_R81_EndpointWebManagement_AdminGuide/Topics-HEPWM-R81/Managing_Users_in_Harmony_Endpoint.htm