156-536 Exam Dumps - Checkpoint CCES Questions and Answers

Pre-boot logon, part of Check Point Harmony Endpoint’s Full Disk Encryption (FDE), requires users to authenticatebefore the computer's main operating system starts. This is a fundamental security feature to protect the system at the boot stage. TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfonpage 223, under "Authentication before the Operating System Loads (Pre-boot)," states:

"Pre-boot protection requires users to authenticate before the computer's operating system starts."

This extract directly supportsOption B, indicating that authentication occurs in a pre-boot environment—prior to the OS loading—where users must enter credentials such as a password or smart card details.

Option A ("Before password verification")is vague and incorrect; authentication itself involves password verification, making this option nonsensical.

Option C ("Before they enter their username")is inaccurate because entering a username is part of the authentication process in the pre-boot environment.

Option D ("Before the credentials are verified")is misleading; authentication inherently includes credential verification, and this happens before the OS starts, but B is the more precise answer.

The SmartEndpoint Console is a key component in the Harmony Endpoint architecture, specifically designed to connect to and manage the Endpoint Management Server (EMS). It is a Check Point SmartConsole application used to deploy, monitor, and configure endpoint security clients and policies, communicating directly with the EMS. In contrast, SmartEndpoint does not connect to the Security Management Server (SMS) as stated in option A. SmartConsole (C) is a broader management tool for Check Point gateways, not specifically for the EMS. Option D, regarding the Web Management Console, is not supported by the documentation as connecting to the SMS. Therefore, "SmartEndpoint Console connects to and manages the Endpoint Management Server (EMS)" (B) is the true statement.

Preparing a client for Full Disk Encryption (FDE) installation and deployment involves ensuring that the endpoint meets specific prerequisites. TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfexplicitly outlines these requirements.

Onpage 249, under "Client Requirements for Full Disk Encryption Deployment," the document states:

"Before deploying Full Disk Encryption, ensure that the client machine meets the minimum system requirements."

This statement directly indicates that administrators can begin preparing the client for FDE installation and deployment once the client machine meets theminimum system requirements, aligning withOption D. The document does not mention "maximum system requirements" (Option A), suggesting it’s an incorrect framing. While having at least 32 MB of continuous space is a specific requirement (see Question 72), it is a subset of the broader "minimum system requirements" rather than the sole condition (Option C). Additionally, policy installation (Option B) occurs after preparation, as detailed onpage 250under "Completing Full Disk Encryption Deployment on a Client," which describes stages like policy application post-preparation.

Thus,Option Dis the most accurate and comprehensive answer based on the official documentation.

In Check Point Harmony Endpoint’s High Availability (HA) configuration, a secondary server is set up to ensure continuity if the primary server fails. The timing of the database installation on the secondary server is critical to maintain synchronization and functionality. TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfprovides explicit instructions on this process.

Onpage 202, under the section "Configuring a Secondary Server," the guide states:

"After synchronization, the secondary server will have a copy of the primary server's database. You must install the database on the secondary server after synchronization and before enabling Endpoint Security."

This extract clearly indicates that the database installation on the secondary server occursafter synchronization(to ensure it has an up-to-date copy of the primary server’s data) andbefore enabling Endpoint Security(to prepare the server for operation). This sequence aligns precisely withOption D.

Let’s evaluate the other options:

Option A: After Endpoint Security is enabled– This is incorrect because enabling Endpoint Security before installing the database would leave the secondary server unprepared to handle endpoint operations, contradicting the HA setup process.

Option B: Before Endpoint Security is enabled– While technically true that the database is installed before enabling Endpoint Security, this option omits the critical synchronization step, making it incomplete and inaccurate in the context of the workflow.

Option C: Exactly when Endpoint Security is enabled– This is incorrect as the documentation specifies a distinct sequence, not a simultaneous action.

Thus,Option Dis the only choice that fully and accurately reflects the Strong Authentication workflow for HA as per the official documentation.

Harmony Endpoint’s Next-Generation Anti-Virus (NGAV) is designed to combat advanced threats using a combination of behavioral analysis, exploit prevention, and ransomware protection. The documentation specifies that NGAV includesAnti-Ransomware,Anti-Exploit, andBehavioral Guardas core capabilities.

TheCP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdfoutlines these onpage 20, under "Endpoint Security Client":

"Harmony Endpoint Anti-Ransomware, Behavioral Guard and Forensics: Prevents ransomware attacks. Monitors files and the registry for suspicious processes and network activity. Analyzes incidents reported by other components."

Additionally, onpage 358, under "Harmony Endpoint Threat Extraction, Emulation and Anti-Exploit":

"Anti-Exploit: Detects and prevents exploitation of vulnerabilities in software."

While the term "NGAV" is not explicitly used, these components—Anti-Ransomware, Behavioral Guard, and Anti-Exploit—represent the next-generation approach to antivirus protection, focusing on behavior-based detection and prevention of advanced threats like exploits and ransomware. This matchesOption A.

The other options are incorrect:

Option B ("Anti-IPS, Anti-Firewall & Anti-Guard"): These are not recognized capabilities in the documentation; they appear to be fabricated terms.

Option C ("Zero-Phishing, Anti-Bot & Anti-Virus"): Zero-Phishing (page 366) and Anti-Bot (page 353) are separate features, and Anti-Virus is traditional, not NGAV-specific.

Option D ("Threat Extraction, Threat-Emulation & Zero-Phishing"): These relate to document sanitization and phishing protection (pages 358-366), not NGAV’s core focus.

Thus,Option Aaccurately reflects Harmony Endpoint NGAV capabilities.

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 official Check Point Harmony Endpoint documentation clearly states that deployment rules (automatic deployment) are not supported for macOS clients. macOS client deployments must instead be performed manually using exported packages or third-party deployment methods.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"Deploy New Endpoints... macOS: No" (indicating that deployment rules cannot automatically deploy endpoints for macOS)

When troubleshooting errors related to Active Directory (AD) Strong Authentication in the Endpoint Security Management Server, the appropriate log file to examine is specified in theCheck Point Harmony Endpoint Server Administration Guide R81.20. This guide provides detailed information on log file locations for various components of the Harmony Endpoint system.

Onpage 213, under the section "Troubleshooting Authentication in Server Logs," the guide explicitly states:

"The authentication logs are located in $UEPMDIR/logs/Authentication.log."

This statement directly identifies $UEPMDIR/logs/Authentication.log as the correct location for logs related to authentication issues, including those involving AD Strong Authentication. The $UEPMDIR variable represents the installation directory of the Endpoint Security Management Server, making this path specific to the Harmony Endpoint environment. Therefore,Option Cis the verified location for troubleshooting such errors.

To further validate this choice, consider the other options:

Option A: $FWDIR/log/Authentication.log– The $FWDIR directory is typically associated with Check Point’s firewall components (e.g., Security Gateway), not the Endpoint Security Management Server. This path is irrelevant for Harmony Endpoint authentication logs.

Option B: $FWDIR/logs/Auth.log– Similarly, $FWDIR pertains to firewall-related logs, and "Auth.log" is not a standard log file name in the Harmony Endpoint context, making this option incorrect.

Option D: $UEMPDlR/log/Authentication.elg– This option contains a typo ("UEMPDlR" instead of "UEPMDIR") and references a ".elg" file, which is typically used for debug logs in Check Point systems, not standard authentication logs. The correct extension, as per the guide, is ".log," not ".elg."

The documentation’s clear directive onpage 213confirms that $UEPMDIR/logs/Authentication.log is the authoritative source for troubleshooting AD Strong Authentication issues, solidifyingOption Cas the correct answer.

The Check Point Harmony Endpoint documentation clearly specifies that the pre-boot environment supports multi-factor authentication methods. These methods combine different authentication mechanisms to enhance security significantly beyond traditional password-based authentication alone.

Exact Extract from Official Document:

"You can also use TPM in addition to Pre-boot authentication for two-factor authentication."