In 2024, increased attacks on serverless technologies, predicted by Google Cloud’s Security report, became a reality. Misconfigured cloud environments contributed to 30% of incidents in the first half of the year. That’s why it’s important not only to choose a robust Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) cybersecurity solution but also to ensure it is properly configured to protect your company.

In this article, we’ll compare Check Point alternatives, including NordLayer, Fortinet, and Zscaler, to help organizations find the best solutions for enhanced security and protection.

In brief,

• Check Point, Fortinet, and Zscaler are enterprise-level providers with effective but costly and complex solutions.

• While NordLayer doesn’t cover all SASE features, it offers a highly-rated solution with some SSE features (part of SASE). It also stands out for its proactive configuration assistance and 24/7 support.

Let’s explore these solutions and see which one might best suit your organization’s protection and security needs.

Check Point software overview

Check Point Software is a long-standing player in the cybersecurity market. It was founded in 1993 and has offices around the world, including in sanctioned countries such as Russia and Belarus.

Check Point offers a wide array of cybersecurity software solutions, but here are the main five areas.

1. Cloud (Check Point CloudGuard): Provides cloud security services to protect public, private, and hybrid environments. It includes firewall, threat prevention, and posture management software.

2. Security for remote users (Harmony): Protects remote users with endpoint security tools. Harmony secures devices, web browsing, email, and collaboration software solutions.

3. Security ops (Horizon): Supports security operations by providing services for threat detection, incident response, and automation.

4. Network security (Quantum): Delivers advanced firewall and intrusion prevention services to protect networks.

5. All (Infinity Platform): Integrates multiple security products into one platform. This product covers network, cloud, and endpoint security.

As you can see, Check Point offers a wide range of products that can address various security needs from a product standpoint.

Most mentioned product strengths

Check Point Software offers features that help to secure various network infrastructure and cyber security aspects. Here are some mentioned by users:

1. Secure network access for businesses

2. Advanced threat prevention and real-time threat detection

3. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) features

4. Deep packet inspection and SSL inspection

5. Firewall with VPN access management for remote users

6. Geo-location filtering and detailed URL filtering

7. Zero-day attack protection with quick patch updates for vulnerabilities

8. Network mapping and compliance testing across environments

9. Environment-specific reports generated for better oversight

Most mentioned overall product benefits of Check Point

Here are some things users often mentioned about Check Point products overall:

1. Well-known and respected in the industry

2. Reliable and effective

3. Unified security management system

4. Centralized firewall management with easy server integration

5. User-friendly interface

6. Minimal need for daily adjustments after the setup

Limitations of Check Point

Despite its strengths, Check Point Software may have some limitations that might not align with the needs of every organization. They might include:

1. Complicated and costly pricing

2. Complex setup and configuration

3. Slowing down during heavy traffic

4. Difficult advanced features and services

5. Slow, upgrade-focused support

6. Overwhelming product range

7. Lacks competitive SD-WAN alternatives

8. VPN client issues on MacOS

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites and social networking forums such as Gartner, G2, and Reddit. It also assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 13, 2024.

Let’s look at Check Point alternatives.

1. NordLayer

Overview of NordLayer

NordLayer is a network security solution designed to provide safe access to company resources from any location. It provides protection for networks, facilitates remote work, and aids in meeting compliance requirements. Developed by Nord Security, the creators of the popular NordVPN service, NordLayer offers a multi-layered defense for your network.

NordLayer assists organizations in implementing Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Secure Web Gateway (SWG) principles, with a focus on the Secure Service Edge (SSE). It delivers SaaS security features to control access to the internet, resources, and networks.

NordLayer’s flexibility makes it a good fit for businesses of all sizes that need scalable protection.

Product strengths

NordLayer addresses three key business needs. First, it helps enable secure internet access, including for remote employees, and protection while browsing. Second, it segments and controls access to company resources. Third, it helps companies ensure compliance with key cybersecurity regulatory frameworks through easy-to-use visibility dashboards and straightforward identity and access management.

NordLayer primarily focuses on network protection and provides key SSE features, including:

• Shared gateways and virtual private gateways

• Quantum safe encryption

• Dedicated servers with Fixed IP

• Cloud Firewall

• Device Posture Security

• IP allowlisting

• Web protection (formerly Threatblock)

• DNS Filtering capabilities

• NordLynx VPN protocol

• Browser Extension that enhances performance while ensuring secure browsing

Overall product benefits of NordLayer

Compared to larger solutions discussed in this article, NordLayer offers several key advantages:

• Transparent pricing, with plans starting at $7 per user per month

• Proactive setup support to minimize misconfiguration risks

• 24/7 live support, dedicated account managers, and personalized assistance

• Direct influence on product development and growth

Limitations of NordLayer

Despite its many strengths, NordLayer has some limitations:

• Less established brand and not as widely recognized

• Fewer features and capabilities

• Slows down the internet connection when using the VPN

• Can’t adjust team size online; need to contact support to downgrade

• Sometimes, NordVPN and NordLayer are confused

NordLayer reviews

Users frequently praise NordLayer for its ease of use, even for those without extensive IT knowledge. They also appreciate the helpful support provided at every stage.

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on our website, VPN review sites and social networking forums such as Gartner, G2, and TechRadar. It also assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 13, 2024.

2. Fortinet

Overview of Fortinet

Fortinet is a well-known cybersecurity provider, established over 20 years ago in California. Overall, Fortinet is a versatile option for medium to large enterprises protection.

The company specializes in network security, unified SASE, and cloud security for enterprises. While Fortinet does offer solutions for small and midsize businesses, user reviews suggest that it is particularly well-suited for large companies that can benefit from using multiple Fortinet products together.

Most mentioned product strengths

Fortinet’s products are designed to offer comprehensive security services with a focus on performance and scalability.

1. Well-built, stable hardware, particularly for perimeter firewalls

2. Next-Generation Firewall featuring AV, IPS, web filtering, application control, and VPN

3. Advanced Threat Protection

4. Functions as a wireless controller at no additional cost

5. FortiGuard Labs threat intelligence

6. FortiGuard services, including antivirus, data loss prevention, and anti-spam

7. SecureFabric for isolated communications

Most mentioned overall product benefits of Fortinet

Fortinet stands out due to its strong performance capabilities and broad security features that cater to various business needs.

1. Intuitive and easy-to-use GUI

2. Full-stack, single-pane integration

3. SSL VPN with no extra licensing

4. Easy firewall configuration

5. Centralized control and visibility

6. Cost-effective

7. Simple management and customization

8. Easy implementation across platforms

9. Consistent OS across all devices

Limitations of Fortinet

While Fortinet offers extensive features, it may also have some drawbacks, depending on an organization’s specific needs.

1. Limited technical support for security products

2. Logging lacks real-time information and is hard to navigate

3. Complex configuration and firewall software syntax

4. VPNs frequently drop, affecting customer experience

5. Documentation is complex and lacks vital information

6. The learning curve for rich security features

7. High license costs, challenging for small-scale organizations

8. Frequent bugs impact product reliability

9. Manual firmware updates hinder customer experience

10. Needs flexible pricing and service options to protect smaller organizations

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites and social networking forums such as Gartner, G2, and Reddit. It also assessed customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 13, 2024.

3. ZScaler

Overview of ZScaler

ZScaler, founded in 2007 and based in California, specializes in a cloud-native Zero Trust Exchange platform designed to protect customers from cyber-attacks and data loss. As a cloud-based security service provider, ZScaler focuses on securing internet traffic and managing user access to applications.

Most mentioned product strengths

ZScaler provides a range of capabilities designed to enhance security and manageability for organizations that operate in distributed and cloud environments.

1. Wide array of security features

2. Numerous customizable options

3. Granular control in creating security policies

4. Easy-to-generate reports

Most mentioned overall product benefits of ZScaler

ZScaler’s cloud-native approach and focus on zero trust make it a strong contender in the cybersecurity market.

1. High performance

2. Reliable connectivity

3. Stable cloud-native architecture

4. Centralized access management and security visibility

5. User-friendly interface

6. Scalable at any time

Limitations of ZScaler

Although ZScaler is innovative, it has drawbacks that might not suit every organization.

1. Complex migration from legacy VPN to cloud-based Zero Trust Network Access

2. The steep learning curve for users

3. Incorrect URL classifications affecting security

4. Disconnection during brief internet fluctuations

5. Lacking detailed API documentation

6. Poor customer support and response

7. Time-consuming setup process

8. Confusing pricing information for services and products

Disclaimer: This product review is based on information provided on VPN review sites and social networking forums such as Gartner and G2, and it assesses customer feedback shared on these platforms, accessed on August 20, 2024.

Choosing the right network security solution

Finding the right network security solution is crucial for your organization’s protection and growth. Here’s what to focus on:

• Ensure the software integrates well with your current systems

• Assess firewall capabilities that match your organization’s needs

• Review each option’s ability to scale with your organization

• Prioritize ease of use for smooth implementation and management

• Evaluate the provider’s support and customer service

Start by considering these factors to secure your organization effectively.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It is based on publicly available third-party reviews, user feedback, and online sources accessed between August 13, 2024, and August 20, 2024, and should not be considered definitive or permanent. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, Nord Security Inc. and its affiliates make no guarantees regarding the information’s accuracy, completeness, or suitability. We do not undertake, warrant, or represent that any product, or its feature, is or will remain publicly regarded as better or worse than other alternatives, serve any purpose, has mentioned features, benefits, strengths, and limitations for any period of time. Product features, pricing, and other details may change, and we advise readers to verify these directly with vendors. We disclaim any liability to any party for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this information. The inclusion of competitor products does not imply affiliation or endorsement, and all trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Readers should conduct their research and seek independent advice before making purchasing decisions.

Phishing or social engineering attacks are the number one cyber threat to business networks. Recent studies show that 90% of attacks are triggered by phishing. Innocent mistakes can expose vast amounts of confidential data, risking regulatory action and reputational disaster.

The problem with phishing is that tech solutions are never completely effective. Phishers exploit human nature, convincing users to make unsafe decisions. The only effective response is phishing awareness training.

Poorly trained workforces will eventually put your data at risk. But if you follow the guidance below, you will be well-prepared to handle social engineering attacks.

Key takeaways

• Phishing involves using emails to persuade readers to make dangerous decisions. Links and attachments direct users to malicious websites, putting data and network assets at risk.

• Companies can only combat phishing by training employees to identify suspicious emails. This is harder than it sounds. Phishing emails resemble authentic messages and use sophisticated techniques to fool targets.

• Proper training prepares employees to assess subject lines, email addresses, links, body text, and links. Training covers every aspect of phishing attacks, enabling users to report threats before they compromise your network.

• Implementing continuous phishing awareness training is key. Employees must refresh their knowledge and participate in phishing simulations. Employers, on the other hand, should create easy-to-use reporting processes.

• Combining awareness training with cybersecurity technology mitigates most phishing attacks. Threat detection tools, email encryption, and VPNs strengthen your network defenses. They contain malicious threats when phishing training fails.

Phishing: What your employees need to know

There are two main reasons phishing leads to data breaches and other cyber-attacks: poor security infrastructure and lack of phishing awareness.

Robust protection is vital, but it won’t work if employees ignore phishing risks and expose critical data. Safeguarding apps and data requires constantly updated phishing awareness training. Let’s explore what building an effective human firewall entails and how to create effective training materials.

1. Phishing is illegal

The first thing to stress is that phishing scams are always illegal. Successful or not, phishers commit criminal acts, and it’s important to report phishing attacks to the authorities.

Phishing breaches both the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and legislation against wire fraud. Successful attacks also breach identity theft laws. Phishing isn’t a minor offense, and employees should understand its severity.

Even so, laws do not specifically outlaw phishing—just successful cyber-attacks involving phishing. It’s still legal to email people asking for information. Tricking people with deceptive language is also legal. If not, sending jokes via email would effectively be criminalized.

Phishing differs because attackers trick users into sharing financial or confidential information for personal gain. Keep that definition in mind when delivering security awareness training.

2. Never trust email addresses alone

Phishers are experts in deception. Every aspect of their emails is potentially fake. However, victims sometimes forget this. They see what appear to be legitimate email addresses and assume the content is safe.

That’s a common and dangerous mistake. A phishing attack often starts by using spoofing to imitate legitimate email addresses.

Spoofed email addresses superficially resemble authentic Amazon or Microsoft addresses. If you look more closely, the underlying email address has nothing to do with those companies. This method is also known as display name spoofing. Every employee must be able to spot it 100% of the time.

There’s another aspect to display name spoofing. Email apps on some mobile devices do not show the sender’s address unless users expand the user name. That’s why you must train remote workers to use all devices securely – not just work laptops.

Spoofers can also take another approach known as cousin domain spoofing. This technique creates email domains that closely resemble authentic domains but have tiny differences.

Sometimes, this could be a fake extension like “Cisco-customerservice”. Sometimes, phishers add a different domain name or a string of numbers that shouldn’t be there. These discrepancies are never easy to spot.

Employees must concentrate and check every address for anomalies. Test their skills regularly, as concentration tends to lapse after a few months.

3. Look for suspicious subject lines and content

Subject lines and body text are also red flags when detecting phishing campaigns.

Phishers often use subject lines to grab attention. For instance, attackers might spoof an actual SaaS provider notifying you about rejected invoices. Or they could target executives with extravagant recruiting promises.

Subject lines may use fear and anxiety. Or they could arouse curiosity. When these methods work, users drop their natural caution and may click links or respond to other parts of the email.

Train employees to treat emails with threatening or excessively positive subject lines cautiously. These subject lines don’t automatically indicate a phishing threat. But employees should treat the attached emails as suspicious messages.

Body text is another critical phishing training awareness issue. The tone of the email is the first area to check. A threatening tone is always a phishing red flag.

For example, phishers want readers to click dangerous links and threaten dire consequences if users don’t click the link. Real-world clients or companies rarely communicate like that. The same applies to sudden emails about locked accounts or credit card problems.

Don’t rely on common sense. When creating phishing training materials, add real-world examples of suspicious emails. Highlight how phishers use language and tone, giving employees enough information to make informed judgments.

4. Beware of embedded links

Remember: phishers can spoof any part of an email message. This applies to embedded links as much as email addresses.

Links are a crucial training theme because malicious links almost always appear in social engineering emails. Phishers try to funnel victims to malicious sites where users hand over information or download malware. Identifying these sites is essential.

If a phishing email is well-written, malicious links look fine. They may resemble links to payment portals or accounting apps. Readers can only see the destination URL by hovering their cursor over the link text.

Check links thoroughly before clicking. Look for suspicious URL formats and shortened URLs. Make sure employees use virtual private gateways with DNS Filtering configured and Threat Block enabled. These NordLayer features ensure employees can access only secure web content by restricting access to potentially malicious websites.

5. Exercise caution with attachments

Email attachments are just as dangerous as links—maybe more so if your employees regularly exchange documents and files via email.

Phishers prefer adding attachments to emails as attachments tend to bypass spam filters. They can add a phishing link to PDF documents or spreadsheets without worrying about interception.

Skilled phishers use this to their advantage. They turn attachments into a form of social proof, persuading readers they need to access something valuable and useful.

When training employees, stress that all attachments are suspicious. The best phishing emails are careful to make other parts of the email convincing. Even plausible messages from seemingly trusted organizations could be malicious.

Teach employees to check attachment links. If they aren’t sure, recommend users report the attachment to a security team member. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

6. Understand the risks of personal phishing attacks

Understanding personalization is another core part of an effective phishing awareness training program.

The reason for this is simple. As phishing becomes more complex, attackers are launching personalized phishing scams. Even highly qualified individuals can be caught off-guard. The success of a social engineering attack largely depends on context and personal relevance.

Instead of generic greetings, attackers are using contextual data. AI and automation tools enable hackers to profile targets and pose as authentic email senders. Employees need better security awareness in general (to protect their personal information) and when reading emails (to detect small false details).

It’s also vital to deliver additional training for high-ranking individuals and administrators.

Targeted training helps combat whaling and spear phishing attacks that leverage information about senior employees. These individuals often have greater access to sensitive information and privileges to share it—a dangerous combination that bad actors often exploit.

7. Appearances are deceptive as cybercriminals copy corporate branding

When you read emails from major companies, branded graphics, and layout style are often the first things you notice. Companies use consistent visuals and templates to deliver legitimate messages, but phishing emails can copy all of this.

Train employees not to be fooled by slick logos. Look for minor imperfections in the email’s presentation. Phishers often slightly change logos to work around spam filters.

Be wary of images as well. Phishers embed links beneath photos (and elements like QR codes), another way to evade filters. Genuine senders rarely do this, preferring transparent and secure links. Treat image links as potential red flags wherever they appear.

8. Update your knowledge: Phishers are becoming more sophisticated

Tomorrow’s phishing attempts will be more sophisticated. Detecting them will be increasingly challenging. You can be sure of that. Attackers constantly seek ways to avoid filters and fool their targets. Phishing awareness training should evolve with new techniques.

Above all else, security officers should research emerging techniques and prepare for emerging phishing campaigns. Also, creating a comprehensive strategy that includes education, vigilance, and technology works best when it comes to preventing phishing attacks.

Threat actors are using artificial intelligence to generate more accurate messages. They also run multi-channel attacks, which use two or more communication platforms. Microsoft Teams is the most common second step, followed by Slack and SMS. Security teams must up their game and outpace their adversaries.

How to implement phishing awareness training

Understanding what employees need to know is a good start. It’s vital to put that knowledge into practice with effective phishing training. Here are some tips about how to do so:

• Implement continuous phishing training with annual updates and testing exercises. Don’t rely on onboarding training. Knowledge and attention erode over time.

• If you have the resources, run simulated phishing campaigns and war game potential scenarios with cybersecurity tabletop exercises.

• Include key stakeholders in training scenarios. Everyone, from new hires to veteran executives, plays a role in detecting phishing attempts.

• Ensure you have a reporting system to pick up alerts from the front line. Employees should be able to instantly report suspicious emails without disrupting their workflows.

• Provide immediate feedback when an employee clicks on a phishing email. Gentle guidance reinforces training on the spot, and there’s usually no need for disciplinary procedures.

• Audit your phishing training program regularly. Record phishing incidents and identify areas to improve.

How can NordLayer help?

At NordLayer, we want every company to guard against phishing attacks, and we offer a range of solutions to make that happen.

Firstly, check out our recent article on data breaches. It’s a great introduction to the main attack techniques and data breach risks. When you’re up to speed, use our security tools to make awareness training even more effective.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) helps ensure cybercriminals won’t get far with stolen credentials alone. Threat protection based on Zero Trust Network Access verifies every user and device before they are given access to your network.

NordLayer also offers solutions that help prevent phishing. Threat Prevention identifies and blocks potential threats, protecting your devices and important data from phishing scams.

Security technologies alone won’t stop every phishing attack. Combining NordLayer’s security tools with phishing awareness training will put you in the best possible position. Get in touch today and find out how to reduce your phishing risks.