Check Point launches Firewall-as-a-Subscription model

Check Point Software Technologies has introduced a Firewall-as-a-Subscription program, allowing organizations to access AI-powered network security without significant upfront hardware investments. The model provides access to Force Firewalls, AI-powered threat prevention, and agentic security management through predictable monthly or annual payments.

The launch addresses growing financial pressures on cybersecurity departments. Research from IANS and Artico Search indicates that the median security budget remained unchanged in 2026, with 55% of CISOs reporting flat or declining budgets. This financial constraint coincides with the rise of AI adoption, which increases the complexity of network traffic and the need for specialized inspection.

The subscription includes SandBlast technology, Live Updates without downtime, and Smart-1 Cloud management. Customers can scale their throughput capacity during a three-year term and transition to new hardware after 36 months. The offering builds upon the R82.20 release, which introduced capabilities to inspect AI traffic and govern AI agents at the network layer.