Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) promises a better way to protect hybrid work and cloud networks. But existing solutions are fragmented and frustrating for users. Quantum SASE from Check Point is different. Quantum SASE delivers 2x faster internet security combined with full mesh Zero Trust Access and optimized SD-WAN performance—all with an emphasis on ease-of-use and streamlined management.
Check Point Harmony Connect offers ease of implementation and administration through a cloud-based service. The monitoring and granular policies help with differential protection of users and generate managerial profiles efficiently. The solution has a unified policy for private and internet access, making it easier to manage policies. The virtual firewalls for remote connectivity are almost like having a firewall in-house. The solution offers complete attack containment and remediation to quickly restore any infected system. It blocks malware coming from web browsing or email attachments before it reaches the endpoints. The tool is user-centric and has an integration with different routers or perimeter equipment. The preboot VPN connection is very useful in the case where users are locked remotely. The phishing sites are blocked in real-time, and HTTPS decryption is a valuable service. The emulation of files, control of USB connections, and full disk encryption are great features. The solution reduces the operational load and provides cloud-native availability.
Check Point Harmony Connect can improve in several areas according to users. One improvement is the ease of implementation, specifically with loading users onto an Excel list and better manufacturer documentation. Support schedules and response times could also be enhanced. Other areas for improvement include automation for user input, more reliable and intuitive documentation, better integration for management, and the ability to break out locally after connecting to headquarters. Some users also found the solution to be too heavy for certain devices and experienced performance issues. Additionally, there were concerns about the lack of marketing and case studies, limited report and alert options, and the need for better coverage in certain regions. Finally, there were suggestions for improving Zero Trust Network Access, and the ability to manage Harmony and on-prem policies from the same platform.
Users have reported positive ROI from using Check Point Harmony Connect, citing benefits such as increased efficiency and cost savings related to implementation and administration. However, there are also reports of negative ROI, and not all users have calculated their ROI. Some users are considering removing their office gateway in the long run to further increase ROI.
Check Point Harmony Connect's pricing is generally considered to be reasonable, with some reviewers finding it more expensive than other solutions in the market but still a good value for the advanced security it provides. Finding a vendor or partner who can provide advice on pricing and tools is recommended. However, some reviewers have found the minimum licensing requirement of 50 users to be impractical for smaller organizations or customers who only need a few licenses. Despite this, setup is generally considered easy and the lack of add-ons simplifies licensing.
Check Point Harmony Connect is primarily used for remote security assistance, providing web filter or gateway security to employees, and governance, control, and monitoring of visited sites. It offers granular security through web control policies, reports, and monitoring, and helps avoid user vulnerabilities from anywhere. It is easy to implement and manage, with both on-premises and cloud versions available. It is used for endpoint protection, runtime protection against cyber threats, and mapping the MITRE ATT&CK framework. It also helps connect branches and users securely and unifies all necessary accesses for internal employees in a single portal.
Customers have mixed opinions about Check Point Harmony Connect's customer service and support. Some find it excellent and rate it nine out of ten, while others think it is not very good and could be improved, especially in terms of response time. The technical support is geared more towards regular equipment, and finding specialists within Check Point for Harmony Connect can be a challenge. However, the support team for Harmony Connect is considered to be one of the best, with technical guys who are really awesome and capable of resolving most issues on the first call. Customers appreciate the team's willingness to listen to new feature requests and connect them with the R&D team. Nonetheless, there are still instances where it takes a long time to resolve issues, and some customers have had to dig deep to find solutions to problems themselves.
The initial setup for Check Point Harmony Connect varied in difficulty according to different users' experiences. Some found it easy and straightforward, while others noted that it required a good understanding of the Check Point and portal sides. However, most reviews leaned towards the simpler side, with many users stating that the setup was easy and only required a few clicks. There were a few exceptions where users encountered difficulties with integrating through SAML or with the instructions provided by Check Point.
The Check Point Harmony Connect solution is generally considered to be very scalable and flexible, with most reviewers giving it a good rating in this area. However, there are some limitations around redundancy that may impact scalability for some users, and the solution may be more appropriate for larger enterprises due to the minimum package size. Overall, the cloud-managed solution is seen as easy to deploy and manage, with no server required and licensing making scaling simple. While there are some areas that could be improved, the solution generally meets expectations and is considered a good choice for many organizations.
Users have varying opinions on the stability of Check Point Harmony Connect. Some rate it highly, with no glitches or issues, while others mention minor bugs or instability in certain aspects. However, there are those who find it very stable and performant, especially in a production environment. Some have implemented it together with Citrix SD-WAN and found it to be secure and affordable.
Harmony Connect Remote Access – ZTNA https://youtu.be/z95DOtkSR5c
Harmony Connect Internet Access – cloud SWG and FWaaS https://youtu.be/MZMP440U6FM
Check Point Quantum SASE was previously known as Check Point Harmony Connect.