Check Point secures the cloud with virtual appliances for Amazon

Security firm Check Point is making its security appliances available in virtual form via Amazon web services, enabling customers to extend protection to cover workloads running on Amazon's cloud platform.

The firm said its security gateway products are now available to customers through Amazon web services, allowing them to extend security to the cloud with the full range of protection offered on its Check Point software blades.

This includes: firewall and intrusion prevention appliances to protect assets in the cloud from attack; VPN and mobile access tools for secure connectivity and mobility; and a data leak prevention (DLP) software blade to protect data stored in the cloud.

While this is not Check Point's first virtual security product, the move is a recognition of the many companies that now use Amazon's public cloud infrastructure to run some workloads.

According to the firm, enabling a Check Point virtual appliance in Amazon web services is a simple process requiring just a few clicks.

The company also said customers can manage virtual appliances in Amazon's cloud using existing on-premise Check Point unified security management tools, allowing administrators to apply the same security policies across cloud and on-site assets from a single console.

"Infrastructure in the cloud is a reality. As many businesses plan to manage their IT infrastructure in the cloud, it is important to protect both cloud and on-premise infrastructure to ensure that all corporate assets remain secure," said Check Point vice president of network security products, Oded Gonda.

Pricing for Check Point's virtual appliances is based on its existing software blade licensing, the firm added.