Check Point wraps up Nokia Security Appliance buy

Originally announced at the end of last year, the move sees a 12-year partnership between the two businesses culminate in Check Point taking over Nokia's interests in the market completely.

"Over the last few years Check Point has steadily enhanced its appliance portfolio. The acquisition of the Nokia hardware security business vaults Check Point to the appliance forefront," said Alex Smith, a research analyst at Canalys.

"With a wider appliance portfolio, Check Point expands its market reach, particularly among large enterprises."

Check Point has said that it will soon introduce a line of all-inclusive IP appliances pre-loaded with either Check Point NGX R65 or Check Point R70, which is based on the company's Software Blade Architecture unveiled at its annual Check Point Experience event in Paris recently.

In the interim, both companies are hoping to minimise the disruption to existing customers by allowing businesses to purchase former Nokia IP hardware running Check Point security software.

This will eliminate the need to obtain two separate licences from two different vendors, easing procurement and deployment, the firms said. Similarly, existing Nokia customer support contracts will be immediately supported by Check Point, including support for older platforms and operating system versions.

"Check Point now leads the security appliance market with an unprecedented variety of security solutions. Through the acquisition, we will be able to better meet customers' needs and preferences with the latest security software on the leading hardware platforms," said Gil Shwed, chairman and chief executive at Check Point.

"Our unique Software Blade architecture allows customers to select the exact security protections they need for a given environment, and our comprehensive line of appliances lets customers deploy their custom gateway on the hardware of their choice."