CCSA R80.x vs CCSA R81.x: Differences and Preparation Startegy

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  3. CCSA R80.x vs CCSA R81.x: Differences and Preparation Startegy

There are several modifications that reflect the inclusion of additional sections with the publication of the new CCSA R81.10 exam. As on August 31, 2022, the previous exam CCSA R80 was retired. Therefore, a comparison of the CCSA R80.X and the revised CCSA R81.10 as well as some general advice would be beneficial. In order to assist individuals who have taken a CCSA R80.x class or who haven’t dealt with R81+ at all yet to evaluate their preparation alternatives for taking the R81.10 examinations, the purpose of this section is to draw attention to subject changes.

However, Check point always reviews the exams and certifications it provides to make sure that they represent the most recent knowledge and resources, retiring any that are no longer applicable. The most current upgrades will be covered as we will cover the changes in the new CCSA exam.

CCSA R80.x and CCSA R81.x: Exam Modifications

Security Administration R81.1 (CCSA) being the latest update has introduced many new objectives and areas. Talking about the previous exam, CCSA R80 covers the key to accomplishing this complexity through security consolidation thus bringing all safety protections and functions under one umbrella.

But, with the new update, CCSA R81.1, you get access to learn the process of:

  • Installing R81.1 management and a security gateway in a distributed environment
  • Configuring objects, rules, and settings for defining a security policy
  • Working with multiple concurrent administrators and defining permission profiles
  • Configuring a Virtual Private Network and working with Check Point clustering
  • Executing periodic administrator tasks as specified in administrator job descriptions

In order to better understand the difference between these, let’s have a domain comparison.

CCSA Exam: Topics Comparison

CCSA Exam: Topics Comparison

Are there any changes in the exam details? Let’s find out!

New CCSA R81.x Exam Basic Details

The updated Security Administration R81.1 (CCSA) exam will provide you with a path to enhance your skills by learning and understanding the basic concepts to administer IT security tasks. Furthermore, it will help you in:

  • Configuring the Security Management Server.
  • Using the WebUI to run the First Time Wizard.
  • Installing the Smart Console and the Alpha Gateway using the network detailed in the course topology.
  • Demonstrating the process of Security Management Server and Gateway communication.
  • Creating multiple administrators and applying different roles and permissions for simultaneous administration. 
  • Validating existing licenses for products installed on the network.
  • Deploying user access roles for more granular control of the security policy.
  • Generating network Traffic and using traffic visibility tools to monitor the data.
  • Explaining how to share a layer between security policies and utilize security zones in the policy.
  • Setting up network objects and servers with network address translation.
  • Using user access roles to implement more granular security policy control.
  • Creating network traffic and tracking the data using tools for traffic visibility.
  • Examining status, and warnings, and blocking suspicious traffic, using SmartConsole and SmartView Monitor.
Exam prerequisite:

Before appearing or starting preparing for the CCSA R81.1 exam, you must gain:

  • Working knowledge of:
    • Windows
    • UNIX
    • Networking technology
    • Internet and TCP/IP.
Target Audience:
  • Technical experts who support, install deploy or administer Check Point products.
Check Point Certified Security Administrator
Exam Format:
  • Exam number: 156-215.81
  • Name: Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) R81
  • Exam Cost: $250 (USD)
  • Duration: 90 mins
  • Passing Score: 70%
  • Schedule Exam: Pearson VUE
Summarizing Modifications and changes in the updated CCSA R81.1 Exam!
CCSA R81.1 Exam

How to begin with the new CCSA R81.1 Exam preparation?

The best way to begin with the Security Administration R81.1 (CCSA) exam preparation is to use effective study resources and training. Doing so will help you in understanding the concepts more accurately and you will be able to finish your preparation fast. Some of the best study methods include:

1. Security Administration R81.1 (CCSA) Exam Training

Checkpoint offers a training program for the CCSA R81.1 exam. This three-day training will provide you with everything you need to set up, configure, and oversee regular operations for systems running the R81.10 Check Point Security Gateway and Management Software Blades on the Gaia operating system. You will learn how to:

  • Set up settings, rules, and objects to specify a security policy.
  • Define permission profiles when working with numerous concurrent administrators.
  • Work with Check Point clustering when configuring a virtual private network.
  • Carry out periodic administrative responsibilities.
Course Goal:

At the end of the course, using your skills and knowledge, you can:

  • Defend against attacks on your network.
  • Analyze current security regulations and enhance the rule foundation.
  • control who has access to company LANs.
  • Keep an eye on ominous network activity and examine assaults.
  • Use Check Point backup strategies.

2. Get familiar with the Exam Objectives

The objectives describe the information, skills, and abilities that candidates for the CCSA test must possess. You can use the sections listed below to create a fruitful study schedule for a better start to your preparation. However, the following are the objectives:

  • Understand how to do regular administrative responsibilities.
  • Explanation of the Gaia operating system’s fundamental features.
  • Recognize the features, tools, and functionalities of SmartConsole.
  • Recognize how administrators utilize SmartConsole to provide user access.
  • Learn how Check Point security products and solutions safeguard networks.
  • Recognize the license and contract specifications for security products from Check Point.
  • List the fundamental components of a security policy.
  • Recognize the idea of the Check Point policy layer.
  • Learn how to activate the URL and Application Control software.
  • Blades that restrict access to different apps
  • Describe the manual and automatic NAT configuration processes.
  • Find the tools that are used to keep an eye on data, identify dangers, and spot performance improvement chances.
  • Give examples of the various Check Point Threat Prevention options for preventing network assaults.
  • Explain the setup, upkeep, and tuning of the intrusion prevention system.
  • Become familiar with the Infinity Threat Prevention system.
  • IoT Protect knowledge from Check Point.

3. Start using Practice Exam Tests

You have to be aware that the exam will cover a variety of subjects. You should thus gain as much experience as you can before the exam. Taking practice tests is the most effective approach to do this. You may better understand your study strategy and be ready for the real thing by finishing the CCSA Exam practice tests. With the help of these practice exams, you may identify your areas of weakness and take steps to improve them. Understanding the test’s question pattern and improving your answer skills can help you better manage your time.

4. Join Communities

To exchange best practices and get access to the most latest exam information, join the CCSA exam community. From technical support and break/fix difficulties to assistance & information-sharing about significant topics, you can obtain support from these communities. Discuss your concerns in online groups with subject-matter experts, hear about others’ successes, and stay current on exam changes.

Some important exam tips for the CCSA R81.1 exam:

  • You have 90 minutes to answer all the questions with one accurate response. Fill-in-the-blank questions were once included, but they appear to have disappeared recently. You must receive at least 70% to pass the exam.
  • With the option to mark a question you are unsure of, you are allowed to go back and revisit previous questions. If there is time remaining at the conclusion of the test, you can then quickly review all the questions you flagged. Even if it’s a guess, try to always respond to every question during the initial run-through.
  • If the question’s context is unclear, attempt to recall how that subject was covered in the lecture and in the laboratories in class.
  • Check Point exams are not dynamic. The exam’s questions are chosen at random from a pool at the beginning, and they remain the same throughout. By the same token, if you draw two questions that are remarkably similar or even identical, do not assume when the second one shows up that you answered the first one incorrectly.
  • The lecture notes and lab exercises make up 80% of the test questions; the remaining 20% are “real-world” problems, thus having at least some practical Check Point experience will be beneficial.
  • The $50 USD cost of the online CCSA practice examinations from PearsonVue is certainly worth it because they use actual exam questions for their practice exams.
  • Prior to booking, please verify the exam numbers:
    • Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) R81: 156-215.81

Final Words

You need to begin preparing for the CCSA R81.1 new Test now that we’ve reviewed all the essential methods, exam variations, and strategies. The more you study, the more at ease and simplicity you feel taking the test. Improve your knowledge and verify it with practice exams. Utilize the material above to try to comprehend the changes in the new exam, and study hard to pass the CCSA exam.

Check Point Certified Security Administrator
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