Check Point Buys Cybersecurity Startup ForceNock To Boost API Protection

Check Point Software Technologies has purchased emerging web application and API protection vendor ForceNock to bolster its advanced machine-learning protection capabilities.

The San Carlos, Calif.-based platform security giant said Tel Aviv, Israel-based ForceNock's technology utilizes behavioral, machine-learning and reputation-based security engines. Check Point plans to integrate the cybersecurity startup’s web application and API protection capabilities into the Check Point Infinity total protection architecture.

"Incorporating ForceNock's technology into our Infinity architecture will enable us to continue to provide the highest level of security for our customers worldwide and strengthens our machine-learning protection capabilities," Dorit Dor, Check Point's vice president of products, said in a statement.

[Related: Check Point CEO: Dome9's Capabilities Are 'Far Better' Than Anything Else In Marketplace]

The growing use of cloud, network, mobile, endpoint and IoT platforms requires complete, simple-to- deploy and easy-to-use security technologies, Dor said. Check Point is therefore committed to delivering a comprehensive security architecture that's capable of preventing current and future generations of cyberattacks, according to Dor.

Check Point's stock is down $1.57 (1.49 percent) to $103.82 in trading Monday morning. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Check Point did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

ForceNock was founded in 2017 and employs five people, according to LinkedIn. The company was co-founded and is led by Dotan Bar Noy, who previously spent nearly five years as co-founder and CEO of malware prevention and defense firm ReSec Technologies.

The company said its technology is patent-pending, and provides highly accurate protection while being simple to deploy and demanding zero tuning. ForceNock said its capabilities free security teams from managing endless configurations and rules while continuing to maintain the highest level of security.

The ForceNock deal comes less than three months after Check Point purchased emerging vendor Dome9 for an initial cash consideration of $175 million to help customers secure multi-cloud deployments across Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. All told, Check Point has made 13 acquisitions over the course of its 26-year history, according to CrunchBase.

More recently, Check Point landed VMware Americas channel leader Frank Rauch to serve as global channel chief, where he plans to combine big investments in channel programs and tools with strategic teaming agreements. Rauch is reporting to Chief Customer Officer Dan Yerushalmi, who joined Check Point five months ago, sources told CRN.

Conexsys Communications President Michael Yassin said Check Point's execution of multiple acquisitions in recent months will help it get to market faster with new features and keep pace with disrupters in the industry.

Yassin said enhanced machine-learning capabilities from ForceNock could provide value when applied to data lakes, particularly as it relates to developing indicators of compromise around the threat landscape.

Solution integrators like Mississauga, Ontario-based Conexsys have developed APIs of their own out of necessity, according to Yassin, but leveraging ForceNock's capabilities to have the APIs provided directly by the vendor would provide greater standardization and uniformity since the vendor owns the source code.

"As Check Point moves more to an open management platform, these APIs will be critical to building a broader ecosystem," Yassin told CRN.