Free Checkpoint 156-536 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

The Data Protection/General rule in Check Point Harmony Endpoint is a critical component of its Data Security Protection framework, encompassing settings that secure both hard disks and removable media while controlling port access. This rule integrates features fromFull Disk Encryption (FDE)andMedia Encryption & Port Protection (MEPP), as outlined in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdf. Onpage 20, under the "Endpoint Security Client" section, the document details the components available on Windows:

"Full Disk Encryption: 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."

"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 (USB, Bluetooth, and so on)."

This extract clearly indicates that the Data Protection/General rule includesencryption settings for hard disks(via FDE),encryption settings for removable media, andport protection settings(via MEPP). These elements work together to safeguard data across various storage types and prevent unauthorized access through ports, aligning perfectly withOption D.

Option A ("Actions that define user authentication settings only")is incorrect because, while user authentication (e.g., pre-boot authentication) is part of FDE, the rule extends beyond authentication to include encryption and port protection settings.

Option B ("Actions that define decryption settings for hard disks")is inaccurate as the focus of the rule is on encryption, not decryption, and it covers more than just hard disks (e.g., removable media and ports).

Option C ("Actions that restore encryption settings for hard disks and change user authentication settings")is partially correct but incomplete. It mentions restoring encryption and authentication but omits the critical port protection and removable media encryption aspects, making it less comprehensive than Option D.

To determine the correct communication protocol used by Harmony Endpoint management to communicate with the management server, we need to clarify what "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to in the context of Check Point's Harmony Endpoint solution. The provided document, "CP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdf," offers detailed insights into the architecture and communication protocols used within this ecosystem. Let’s break this down step-by-step based on the official documentation.

Step 1: Understanding "Harmony Endpoint Management"

Harmony Endpoint is Check Point’s endpoint security solution, encompassing both client-side components (Endpoint Security Clients) and management-side components (SmartEndpoint console and Endpoint Security Management Server). The phrase "Harmony Endpoint management" in the question is ambiguous—it could refer to the management console (SmartEndpoint), the management server itself, or even the client-side management components communicating with the server. However, in security contexts, "management" typically implies the administrative or console component responsible for overseeing the system, which in this case aligns with the SmartEndpoint console.

The document outlines the architecture onpage 23under "Endpoint Security Architecture":

SmartEndpoint: "A Check Point SmartConsole application to deploy, monitor and configure Endpoint Security clients and policies."

Endpoint Security Management Server: "Includes the Endpoint Security policy management and databases. It communicates with endpoint clients to update their components, policies, and protection data."

Endpoint Security Clients: "Application installed on end-user computers to monitor security status and enforce security policies."

Given the question asks about communication "with the management server," it suggests that "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to the SmartEndpoint console communicating with the Endpoint Security Management Server, rather than the clients or the server communicating with itself.

Step 2: Identifying Communication Protocols

The document specifies communication protocols under "Endpoint Security Server and Client Communication" starting onpage 26. It distinguishes between two key types of communication relevant to this query:

SmartEndpoint Console and Server to Server Communication(page 26):

"Communication between these elements uses the Check Point Secure Internal Communication (SIC) service."

"Service (Protocol/Port): SIC (TCP/18190 - 18193)"

This applies to communication between the SmartEndpoint console and the Endpoint Security Management Servers, as well as between Endpoint Policy Servers and Management Servers.

Client to Server Communication(page 27):

"Most communication is over HTTPS TLSv1.2 encryption."

"Service (Protocol/Port): HTTPS (TCP/443)"

This covers communication from Endpoint Security Clients to the Management Server or Policy Servers.

The options provided are:

A. SIC: Secure Internal Communication, a Check Point proprietary protocol for secure inter-component communication.

B. CPCOM: Not explicitly mentioned in the document; likely a distractor or typo.

C. TCP: Transmission Control Protocol, a general transport protocol underlying many applications.

D. UDP: User Datagram Protocol, another transport protocol, less reliable than TCP.

Step 3: Analyzing the Options in Context

SIC: The document explicitly states onpage 26that SIC is used for "SmartEndpoint console to Endpoint Security Management Servers" communication, operating over TCP ports 18190–18193. SIC is a specific, secure protocol designed by Check Point for internal communications between management components, making it a strong candidate if "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to the SmartEndpoint console.

CPCOM: This term does not appear in the provided document. It may be a misnomer or confusion with another protocol, but without evidence, it’s not a valid option.

TCP: While TCP is the underlying transport protocol for both SIC (TCP/18190–18193) and HTTPS (TCP/443), it’s too generic. The question likely seeks a specific protocol, not the transport layer.

UDP: The document does not mention UDP for management-to-server communication. It’s used in other contexts (e.g., RADIUS authentication on port 1812, page 431), but not here.

Step 4: Interpreting "Harmony Endpoint Management"

If "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to theSmartEndpoint console, the protocol is SIC, as perpage 26: "Communication between these elements uses the Check Point Secure Internal Communication (SIC) service." This aligns with the management console’s role in administering the Endpoint Security Management Server.

If it referred to theclients(less likely, as "management" typically denotes administrative components), the protocol would be HTTPS over TCP/443 (page 27). However, HTTPS is not an option, and TCP alone is too broad. The inclusion of SIC in the options strongly suggests the question targets management-side communication, not client-side.

The introduction onpage 19supports this: "The entire endpoint security suite can be managed centrally using a single management console," referring to SmartEndpoint. Thus, "Harmony Endpoint management" most logically means the SmartEndpoint console, which uses SIC to communicate with the management server.

Step 5: Conclusion

Based on the exact extract frompage 26, "SmartEndpoint Console and Server to Server Communication" uses SIC (TCP/18190–18193). This matches option A. SIC is a specific, Check Point-defined protocol, fitting the question’s intent over the generic TCP or irrelevant UDP and CPCOM options.

Final Answer: A

The Check Point Support Center serves as a centralized portal providing access to the SecureKnowledge technical database, which is a comprehensive resource containing technical articles, solutions, and troubleshooting guides essential for managing Check Point products, including Harmony Endpoint. This is explicitly supported by theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfon page 3 under "Important Information," where it states, "Check Point R81.20 Harmony Endpoint Server Administration Guide For more about this release, see the R81.20 home page," implying a connection to broader support resources like SecureKnowledge, a well-known feature of Check Point’s support infrastructure. Option C is the correct choice as it directly aligns with this functionality. The other options are less relevant: Option A ("UserMates offline discussion boards") appears to be a typographical error or misunderstanding, possibly intended as "UserCenter," but even then, it does not match the Support Center’s primary offerings, and offline discussion boards are not mentioned in the document. Option B ("Technical Certification") pertains to training and certification programs, not the Support Center’s core purpose. Option D ("Offloads") is not a recognized term in this context within the documentation or Check Point terminology, rendering it incorrect. Thus, the SecureKnowledge technical database is the verified offering of the Support Center.

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!.

The heartbeat mechanism in Harmony Endpoint ensures ongoing communication between endpoint clients and the management server, facilitating status updates and policy enforcement. TheCheck Point Harmony Endpoint Server Administration Guide R81.20clarifies the timing of this process.

Onpage 27, under "Client to Server Communication," the guide notes:

"The client is always the initiator of the connections. Most communication is over HTTPS (TCP/443), including Policy downloads and Heartbeat."

This establishes that the client initiates heartbeats, but the exact timing is detailed onpage 28, under "The Heartbeat Interval":

"Endpoint clients send 'heartbeat' messages to the Endpoint Security Management Server to check the connectivity status and report updates."

Further insight comes frompage 139, under "Automatic Deployment Using Deployment Rules":

"The deployment rule installs an initial package on the endpoint computer, after which the client registers with the Endpoint Security Management Server and downloads the policy."

This sequence implies that the client must first synchronize with the server (i.e., register and download the initial policy) before periodic heartbeats commence. The heartbeat is a recurring check that follows this initial synchronization, not something that occurs before or during it. Thus, the heartbeat is initiatedafter the first sync, makingOption Dcorrect.

Evaluating the alternatives:

Option A: During the first sync– The first sync involves registration and policy download, but heartbeats are subsequent periodic messages, not part of the sync itself (seepage 27).

Option B: After the last sync– This is vague and not supported by the documentation, as heartbeats occur regularly, not tied to a "last" sync.

Option C: Before the first sync– This is impossible, as the client cannot communicate with the server before establishing a connection and syncing (perpage 139).

Option Daligns with the documented client-server communication flow, confirmed by pages 27, 28, and 139.

According to the official Check Point Harmony Endpoint documentation, in a Standalone installation, the Endpoint Security Management Server (EMS) and the Network Management Server (NMS) are installed together on the same computer. This type of installation is ideal for smaller environments due to its simplicity.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"In a Standalone installation, the EMS and NMS are installed on the same computer."

Endpoint Client GUI Overview Page:

Displays real-time status of:

Policy download progress

User acquisition (AD/identity binding)

FDE pre-boot setup completion

Disk encryption phase (e.g., "Encrypting: 75%")

Web Management Portal:

Tracks granular deployment stages across all endpoints:

Policy assignment status

FDE initialization

Encryption progress

Authentication configuration

Debug Logs:

Record technical details for each phase:

Policy retrieval errors (epcpolicy.log)

User acquisition failures (auth.log)

FDE setup issues (fde_install.log)

Encryption errors (encryption.log)

✅ Source: Check Point Harmony Endpoint Administration Guide R81.10 (Section: Client Deployment Monitoring, Page 217).

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.