Administrator Study Guide
Administrator Study Guide
Administrator Study Guide
Study Guide
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Preface
The Check Point Certified Security Administrator Exam
The Check Point Security Administration course provides an understanding of basic concepts and
skills necessary to configure the Check Point Security Gateway, configure Security Policies, and
learn about managing and monitoring secure networks.
The Check Point Security Administration Study Guide supplements knowledge you have gained from
the Security Administration course, and is not a sole means of study.
The Check Point Certified Security Administrator #156-215.77 exam covers the following topics:
Describe Check Point's unified approach to network management, and the key elements of
this architecture.
Design a distributed environment using the network detailed in the course topology.
Install the Security Gateway version R77 in a distributed environment using the network
detailed in the course topology.
Given network specifications, perform a backup and restore the current Gateway installation
from the command line.
Identify critical files needed to purge or backup, import and export users and groups and add
or delete administrators from the command line.
Deploy Gateways using sysconfig and cpconfig from the Gateway command line.
Given the network topology, create and configure network, host and gateway objects
Verify SIC establishment between the Security Management Server and the Gateway using
SmartDashboard.
Create a basic Rule Base in SmartDashboard that includes permissions for administrative
users, external services, and LAN outbound use.
Evaluate existing policies and optimize the rules based on current corporate requirements.
Maintain the Security Management Server with scheduled backups and policy versions to
ensure seamless upgrades and minimal downtime.
Configure NAT rules on Web and Gateway servers.
Use Queries in SmartView Tracker to monitor IPS and common network traffic and
troubleshoot events using packet data.
Using packet data on a given corporate network, generate reports, troubleshoot system and
security issues, and ensure network functionality.
Using SmartView Monitor, configure alerts and traffic counters, view a Gateway's status,
monitor suspicious activity rules, analyze tunnel activity and monitor remote user access
based on corporate requirements.
Monitor remote Gateways using SmartUpdate to evaluate the need for upgrades, new
installations, and license modifications.
Use SmartUpdate to apply upgrade packages to single or multiple VPN-1 Gateways.
Upgrade and attach product licenses using SmartUpdate.
Centrally manage users to ensure only authenticated users securely access the corporate
network either locally or remotely.
Manage users to access to the corporate LAN by using external databases.
Use Identity Awareness to provide granular level access to network resources.
Acquire user information used by the Security Gateway to control access.
Define Access Roles for use in an Identity Awareness rule.
Implementing Identity Awareness in the Firewall Rule Base.
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Objectives
Describe Check Point's unified approach to network management, and the key elements of this
architecture.
Design a distributed environment using the network detailed in the course topology.
Install the Security Gateway in a distributed environment using the network detailed in the
course topology.
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Introduction to Check Point Technology
chapter of the Check Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to
knowledge you have gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant
to be a sole means of study.
Topics
Check Point SecurityManagement
Architecture(SMART)
Security ManagementServer
Securing Channels of Communication
Key Elements
SmartConsole
Security Management Server
Security Gateway
OSI Model
Mechanism for controlling
Network traffic.
Packet Filtering
Stateful Inspection
Application Intelligence
INSPECT Engine Packet Flow
Standalone Deployment
Distributed Deployment
Standalone Full HA
Bridge Mode
SmartDashboard
Smartview Tracker
SmartLog
SmartEvent
SmartView Monitor
SmartReporter
SmartUpdate
SmartProvisioning
SmartEndpoint
Managing Users in SmartDashboard
Users Database
Secure Internal Communication
Testing the SIC Status
Resetting the Trust State
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Answer
The INSPECT engine inserts itself into the kernel between which two OSI model layers:
1. Physical and Data
2. Session and Transport
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Before delving into the intricacies of creating and managing Security Policies, it is
beneficial to know about Check Points different deployment platforms, and understand
the basic workings of Check Points Linux operating systems such as Gaia,
that support many Check Point products - and what those products are.
Objectives:
Given network specifications, perform a backup and restore the current Gateway installation
from the command line.
Identify critical files needed to purge or backup, import and export users and groups and add
or delete administrators from the command line.
Deploy Gateways from the Gateway command line.
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Deployment Platforms chapter of the Check
Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge you have
gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole means of
study.
Topic
Check Point DeploymentPlatforms
Key Element
Security Appliances
Security Software Blades
Remote Access Solutions
History - Power of Two
Gaia
Benefits of Gaia
Gaia Architecture
Gaia System Information
Working in Expert Mode
Applying Useful Commands in CLISH
Add and Delete Administrators via the CLI
Perform Backup and Restore
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Answer
Which command displays the installed Security Gateway version?
1. fw ver.
2. fw stat
3. fw printver
4. cpstat -gw
Objectives:
Given the network topology, create and configure network, host and gateway objects.
Verify SIC establishment between the Security Management Server and the Gateway using
SmartDashboard.
Create a basic Rule Base in SmartDashboard that includes permissions for administrative users,
external services, and LAN outbound use.
Evaluate existing policies and optimize the rules based on current corporate requirements.
Maintain the Security Management Server with scheduled backups and policy versions to ensure
seamless upgrades and minimal downtime.
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Introduction to the Security Policy chapter of
the Check Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge
you have gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole
means of study.
Topic
Security Policy Basics
Managing Objects
Creating the Rule Base
Key Element
The Rule Base
Managing Objects in SmartDashboard
SmartDashboard and Objects
Object-Tree Pane
Objects-List Pane
Object Types
Rule Base Pane
Classic View of the Objects Tree
Group View of the Objects Tree
Basic Rule Base Concepts
Delete Rule
Basic Rules
Implicit/Explicit Rules
Control Connections
Detecting IP Spoofing
Configuring Anti-Spoofing
Understanding Rule Base Order
Completing the Rule Base
Policy Package Management
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Answer
Which of the following describes the default behavior of an R77 Gateway?
1. Traffic is filtered using controlled port scanning..
2. IP protocol types listed as secure are allowed by default, i.e. ICMP,
1. TCP, UDP sessions are inspected.
2. All traffic is expressly permitted via explicit rules.
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Objectives:
Use Queries in SmartView Tracker to monitor IPS and common network traffic and
troubleshoot events using packet data.
Using packet data on a given corporate network, generate reports, troubleshoot system and
security issues, and ensure network functionality.
Using SmartView Monitor, configure alerts and traffic counters, view a Gateway's status,
monitor suspicious activity rules, analyze tunnel activity and monitor remote user access based
on corporate requirements.
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Introduction to Monitoring Traffic and
Connections chapter of the Check Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a
supplement to knowledge you have gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and
is not meant to be a sole means of study.
Topic
SmartView Tracker
SmartView Monitor
Monitoring Suspicious
Activity Rules
Gateway Status
Key Element
Log Types
SmartView Tracker Tabs
Action Icons
Log-File Management
Administrator Auditing
Global Logging and Alerting
Time Setting
Blocking Connections
Customized Views
Gateway Status View
Traffic View
Tunnels View
Remote Users View
Cooperative Enforcement View
Monitoring Alerts
Overall Status
Software Blade Status
Displaying Gateway Information
Launch SmartView Tracker
Track by Source and Destination
Modify the Gateway to Active
SmartView Monitor
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Answer
Which R77 SmartConsole tool would you use to verify the installed Security Policy on a Security
Gateway?
1. SmartView Server
2. SmartView Tracker
3. None, SmartConsole applications only communicate with the
5. Security Management Server
4. SmartUpdate
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Objectives:
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Network Address Translation chapter of the
Check Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge you
have gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole
means of study
Topic
Introduction to NAT
Manual NAT
Key Element
IP Addressing
Hid NAT
Choosing the Hide Address in Hide NAT
Static NAT
Original Packet
Reply Packet
NAT Global Properties
Object Configuration - Hid NAT
Hide NAT Using Another Interface
Static NAT
Configuring Manual NAT
Special Considerations
ARP
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Answer
In SmartDashboard, Translate destination on client side is checked in Global Properties. When
Network Address Translation is used:
1. VLAN tagging cannot be defined for any hosts protected by the Gateway.
2. The Security Gateways ARP file must be modified.
3. It is not necessary to add a static route to the Gateways routing table.
4. It is necessary to add a static route to the Gateways routing table.
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Objectives:
Monitor remote Gateways using SmartUpdate to evaluate the need for upgrades, new
installations, and license modifications.
Use SmartUpdate to apply upgrade packages to single or multiple VPN-1 Gateways.
Upgrade and attach product licenses using SmartUpdate.
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Using SmartUpdate chapter of the Check Point
Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge you have gained
from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole means of study.
Topic
SmartUpdate and Managing Licenses
Key Element
SmartUpdate Architecture
SmartUpdate Introduction
Overview of Managing Licenses
License Terminology
Upgrading Licenses
Retrieving License Data from Security Gateways
Adding New Licenses to the License & Contract Repository
Importing License Files
Adding License Details Manually
Attaching Licenses
Detaching Licenses
Deleting Licenses From License & Contract Repository
Installation Process
Checking for Expired Licenses To Export a License to a File
Managing Contracts Updating Contracts
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Answer
What physical machine must have access to the User Center public IP address when checking for new
packages with SmartUpdate?
1. SmartUpdate Repository SQL database Server.
2. A Security Gateway retrieving the new upgrade package.
3. SmartUpdate installed Security Management Server PC.
4. SmartUpdate GUI PC
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Objectives:
Centrally manage users to ensure only authenticated users securely access the corporate network
either locally or remotely.
Manage users to access to the corporate LAN by using external databases
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the User Management and Authentication chapter
of the Check Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge
you have gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole
means of study.
Key Element
User Types
Types of Legacy Authentication p. 142
Authentication Schemes p. 143
Remote User Authentication p. 145
Authentication Methods p. 146
User Authentication
User Authentication Rule Base
Considerations
Session Authentication
Configuring Session Authentication
Client Authentication
Client Authentication and Sign-On Overview
Sign-On Methods
Wait Mode
Configuring Authentication Tracking
LDAP User Management with
LDAP Features
UserDirectory
Distinguished Name
Multiple LDAP Servers
Using an Existing LDAP Server
Configuring Entities to Work with the Gateway
Defining an Account Unit
Managing Users
UserDirectory Groups
Lab 8: Configuring User Directory
Connect User Directory to Security
Management Server
Table 7-1: User Management and Authentication Topics
Topic
Creating Users and Groups
Security Gateway Authentication
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Answer
Which of the following are authentication methods that Security Gateway R77 uses to validate
connection attempts? Select the response below that includes the MOST complete list of valid
authentication methods.
Objectives:
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Identity Awareness chapter of the Check Point
Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge you have gained
from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole means of study.
Topic
Introduction to Identity
Awareness
Key Element
AD Query
Browser-Based Authentication
Identity Agents
Deployment
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Answer
What mechanism does a gateway configured with Identity Awareness and LDAP initially use to
communicate with a Windows 2003 or 2008 server?
1. RCP
2. LDAP
3. WMI
4. CIFS
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Objectives:
Configure
Topics
The following table outlines the topics covered in the Introduction to VPNs chapter of the Check
Point Security Administration Course. This table is intended as a supplement to knowledge you have
gained from the Security Administration Courseware handbook, and is not meant to be a sole means of
study
Topic
The Check Point VPN
VPN Deployments
VPN Implementation
VPN Topologies
Key Element
Site-to-Site VPNs
Remote-Access VPNs
VPN Setup
Understanding VPN Deployment
VPN Communities
Remote Access Community
Meshed VPN Community
Star VPN Community
Choosing a Topology
Combination VPNs
Topology and Encryption Issues
Authentication Between Community Members
Domain and Route-Based VPNs
Domain-Based VPNs
Route-Based VPN
Accepting All Encrypted Traffic
Excluded Services
Special Considerations for Planning a VPN Topology
Simplified vs. Traditional Mode VPNs
VPN Tunnel Management
Permanent Tunnels
Tunnel Testing for Permanent Tunnels
VPN Tunnel Sharing
Multiple Remote Access VPN Connectivity Modes
Establishing a Connection Between a Remote User and a Gateway
Define the VPN Domain
Create the VPN Community
Create the VPN Rule and Modifying the Rule Base
Test VPN Connection
VPN Troubleshooting
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Answer
What statement is true regarding Visitor Mode?
1. All VPN traffic is tunneled through UDP port 4500.
2. VPN authentication and encrypted traffic are tunneled through port TCP
433.
3. Only ESP traffic is tunneled through port TCP 443.
4. Only Main mode and Quick mode traffic are tunneled on TCP port 443.
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