Check Point Software Technologies announced SmartWorkflow, a new security management software blade that provides customers the option of extending their security infrastructure with policy change management functionality. The new SmartWorkflow Software Blade enables an automated process of tracking, approving and auditing policy changes within the security management console, minimizing configuration errors and optimizing the integrity of network security. SmartWorkflow includes reporting and auditing capabilities that help customers ensure compliance with corporate policies and regulations.

SmartWorkflow addresses our need for powerful and comprehensive policy change management and enforcement in an integrated console, said John Reeman, technical director for Nebulas Solutions. The SmartWorkflow Software Blade functionality lightens the management workload of our security administrators while also helping avoid dangerous mis-configurations.

Security administrators are challenged by a constant stream of change requests. SmartWorkflow helps to ensure consistency across the companys security policy, reducing the possibility of errors and policy mis-configuration. SmartWorkflow allows administrators to enforce a step-by-step workflow through a single management console create a new session, work on the session, review session changes, submit session for approval, get approval and deploy changes. Reports can also be easily generated to show what was changed, added or removed before submission for approval, and administrators can compare and restore policies to a previous state. SmartWorkflow joins recently released SmartProvisioning, expanding the list of security management software blades.

Changing business needs and threat scenario compels organizations to make changes to security policies, Check Points Smart Workflow automatically reviews and authorizes these changes against approved configuration standards and in return help customer reduce dangerous misconfigurations. This is another example of Check Points commitment to providing simplified management with the highest level of security said Bhaskar Bakthavatsalu, Regional Director, India&SAARC, Check Point Software Technologies ltd. SmartWorkflow is available through Check Points unique Software Blade architecture, which allows customers to select the exact security software blades they need and combine them into a single, centrally managed gateway on the hardware of their choice. With the flexibility to deploy the software blades on existing security infrastructure, the total cost overhead remains low.

Check Point continues to develop innovative ways to make complex tasks simple and security policy enforcement effective. SmartWorkflow delivers on those two essential customer benefits, Bhaskar.