Pass the Checkpoint CCES 156-536 Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

Endpoint Policy Servers (EPS) are integral to the Harmony Endpoint architecture, designed to optimize communication between Endpoint clients and the Endpoint Security Management Server (EMS). TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfexplicitly defines their placement.

Onpage 25, under "Optional Endpoint Security Elements," the documentation states:

"Endpoint Policy Servers improve performance in large environments by managing most communication with the Endpoint Security clients. Managing the Endpoint Security client communication decreases the load on the Endpoint Security Management Server, and reduces the bandwidth required between sites."

This confirms that EPS are positionedbetween the Endpoint clients and the EMS, handling tasks like policy downloads, heartbeats, and updates to offload the EMS.Option Baccurately reflects this architecture.

Evaluating the other options:

Option A: "Between the Endpoint clients and the EPS" is nonsensical, as EPS (Endpoint Policy Servers) cannot be between themselves and clients—it’s a self-referential error.

Option C: "Between the Endpoint clients and the NMS" introduces "NMS," likely a typo for Network Management System, which isn’t part of Harmony Endpoint’s architecture per the document.

Option D: "Between the Endpoint clients and the SMS" refers to the Security Management Server (SMS), which manages gateways in Check Point’s broader ecosystem, not the EMS specific to Harmony Endpoint (seepage 23for EMS definition).

Thus,Option Bis directly supported by the documentation as the correct placement of EPS.

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

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.

The Endpoint Client provides end users with anoverview summary of the protections deployed on their machines and the status of each protection. On page 19, under "Endpoint Security Client," the guide describes it as an application that monitors security status and enforces policies, with components like Anti-Malware and Firewall listed on page 20, visible to users through the client interface. Option A is more relevant to administrators (page 63), Option C relates to forensic reports (page 346), and Option D pertains to network monitoring, not client-provided data.

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).

The Remote Help tool in Check Point Harmony Endpoint assists users with password recovery for specific scenarios, namely Full Disk Encryption (FDE) and Media Encryption & Port Protection (MEPP). TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfonpage 425, under "Remote Help," provides a clear description:

"There are two types of Full Disk Encryption Remote Help:

One Time Login - One Time Login lets users access Remote Help using an assumed identity for one session, without resetting the password. Users who lose their Smart Cards must use this option.

Remote password change - This option is applicable for users with fixed passwords who are locked out.For USB storage devices protected by Media Encryption & Port Protection policies, only remote password change is available."

This extract confirms that Remote Help offersUser Logon Pre-boot Remote Help(for FDE, covering one-time login and password changes) andMedia Encryption Remote Help(for MEPP, limited to password changes), precisely matchingOption B.

Option Ais incorrect because Remote Help is an active assistance tool, not merely a source of procedural information or FAQs (see page 425).

Option Cis inaccurate; providing links to encrypted files or decryption keys would compromise security and is not mentioned in the documentation.

Option Dis wrong as Remote Help assists end-users with their own access, not admin accounts on SmartEndpoint (see page 425).

According to the Check Point Harmony Endpoint Specialist - R81.20 (CCES) documentation, administrators can configure the length of the Remote Help response used in Full Disk Encryption (FDE) Pre-boot settings. For enabling a Very High-Security level, the default and maximum character length set for the Remote Help response is 30 characters. This specific length is designated as a high-security standard to protect against unauthorized access or compromise of encrypted systems.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"Administrators can configure how many characters are in the Remote Help response that users must enter. The default length is 30 characters."

Endpoint clients typically communicate with the EPS (Endpoint Policy Server) for policy updates and logging. The EPS then communicates with the EMS (Endpoint Management Server) for central management (Harmony Endpoint Architecture Documentation)

The default encryption algorithm for Full Disk Encryption (FDE) in Check Point Harmony Endpoint, as configured in the Advanced Settings tab, isXTS-AES 256 bit. This is explicitly stated in theCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfonpage 221, under the "Custom Disk Encryption Settings" section:

"The default encryption algorithm is XTS-AES 256 bit."

This extract confirms thatOption Cis correct. The document further notes that administrators can choose between XTS-AES 256 bit and XTS-AES 128 bit, but 256 bit is the default, reflecting a preference for stronger encryption. XTS (XEX-based tweaked-codebook mode with ciphertext stealing) is specifically designed for disk encryption, providing better security than CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) modes.

Option A ("AES-CBC 128 bit")andOption B ("AES-CBC 256 bit")are incorrect because FDE uses XTS mode, not CBC, which is less suited for disk encryption due to its vulnerabilities in this context.

Option D ("XTS-AES 128 bit")is a configurable option but not the default, as the guide specifies 256 bit as the standard setting.