Check Point's Perimeter 81 Acquisition Shows Strength of SASE Market

Check Point Software Technologies‘ upcoming Perimeter 81 acquisition further validates the secure access service edge (SASE) space as a major trend sweeping the cybersecurity industry, particularly as it relates to network security architecture.

That’s according to Fernando Montenegro, senior principal analyst with Omdia, which shares a parent company with Channel Futures (Informa). Check Point is paying $490 million for the security service edge (SSE) and zero trust network access (ZTNA) provider.

Check Point plans to leverage Perimeter 81´s capabilities and integrate them into its Infinity architecture to deliver a unified security solution across the network, cloud and remote users.

The acquisition should close this quarter. Both companies are based in Israel.

Perimeter 81 Well-Recognized Name

With this acquisition, Check Point is using part of its considerable cash reserves to make a move and picking up a well-recognized name in the space, Montenegro said.

Omdia’s Fernando Montenegro

“We’re leaning more into this being something to help Check Point get a boost in relation to where it was before, but to make it a competitive edge will likely require more,” he said. “From our perspective, one of the more interesting things about SASE is that it offers many security features under one service with hopefully seamless integration between components. How well can Check Point integrate Perimeter 81 not only as a company into its own, but also as a technology into its Infinity architecture remains a key aspect to watch.”

Montenegro said he’s sure the Perimeter 81 team would have preferred a larger offer. However, given the macroeconomic conditions and its own constraints, including layoffs in December, this may have worked out well for the company.

“From a technical standpoint, joining one of the key network security vendors is a good move in that it will put Perimeter 81 in a good position to be exposed to more opportunities,” he said.

Check Point-Perimeter 81 Combo to Benefit Partners

In the meantime, Francisco Criado, vice president of Check Point’s global partner ecosystem organization, said the acquisition will further equip partners to deliver the “best” security solutions to customers of all sizes globally.

Check Point’s Francisco Criado

“Perimeter 81 offers a unique set of capabilities including zero trust access and full mesh connectivity between users, branches and applications,” he said. “Check Point and Perimeter 81 aim to help organizations accelerate the adoption of secure access across remote users, sites, cloud, data centers and the internet, while delivering the most secure and fastest SASE solution in the market. Together, we intend to create an even stronger value proposition and winning combination of differentiated value. This will greatly benefit our partners.”

Massive SASE Market Opportunity

With the changing business environment, hybrid work is now the standard of organizations globally and digital transformation is continuously shifting data centers to the cloud, Criado said.

“This major shift requires an advanced approach to security that can seamlessly adapt and respond to the needs of the modern, distributed enterprise,” he said. “Gartner sees SASE solutions hitting $20 billion-plus by 2026, and this acquisition aims to position all of us – Check Point and our partners – to capitalize on the market opportunity.”

Once Check Point completes the acquisition, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals, it intends to welcome Perimeter 81 partners to the Check Point ecosystem, Criado said.

“They will have access to our comprehensive, consolidated and collaborative solutions from code to cloud,” he said. “They will also be able to leverage our systems, tools, benefits and most importantly our Check Point team as we partner to drive mutual growth.”