Check Point unveils AI-focused upgrade to Quantum firewall

Check Point Software has released a new version of its Quantum firewall software that targets security risks emerging from growing enterprise use of artificial intelligence and hybrid networks.

The R82.10 release introduces more than 20 new features. The company said the focus is on AI oversight, Zero Trust enforcement and unified protection across distributed environments.

Check Point positioned the software as a response to rapid adoption of AI tools and large language model development inside organisations. It said this trend is expanding connectivity across users, branches and cloud platforms and is creating new attack surfaces.

"As organizations embrace AI, security teams are under growing pressure to protect more data, more applications and more distributed environments," said Nataly Kremer, Chief Product Officer at Check Point Software Technologies. "R82.10 helps enterprises shift to a prevention-first model by unifying management, strengthening Zero Trust and adding protections that support safe, responsible AI adoption and development."

Check Point said enterprises now face risks from AI-generated threats, identity abuse and configuration drift. It said R82.10 addresses these issues with a prevention-focused approach and greater visibility and control across hybrid mesh networks.

AI oversight

The first group of features targets what the company describes as safe AI adoption. The software detects unauthorised generative AI tools in enterprise environments. It also expands visibility into the use of AI applications such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini.

R82.10 also monitors use of model context protocol. The company said this monitoring protects AI-powered workflows that link different tools and data sources.

Industry analysts have warned that security controls often lag behind experimental AI projects inside large organisations. "With the efficiency gains promised by AI, security professionals cannot slow down business innovation or risk being excluded," said Frank Dickson, Group Vice President, Security & Trust, IDC. "The benefits of innovation do not negate the looming security threat being introduced by AI. Enterprises need to reduce risk, unify controls and stay ahead of sophisticated malicious actors. Check Point's approach of embedded AI security into the network stack is an appropriate approach to quickly improve an organization's AI security posture."

Hybrid networks

The second area of the release focuses on hybrid mesh network security. Many organisations now run a mix of on-premises data centres, public cloud services, remote workers and branch offices.

Check Point said customers gain more consistent protection across these environments through centralised internet access management. This management covers both secure access service edge (SASE) deployments and traditional firewalls.

The software also simplifies connectivity between network gateways and SASE services. It improves identity and device posture validation for users and endpoints across the network. The company said this alignment supports Zero Trust models at larger scale.

Prevention-first security

The third pillar of R82.10 is what Check Point describes as a prevention-first stance against modern threats. The release adds phishing protection that functions without HTTPS inspection.

Organisations often avoid full HTTPS inspection because of privacy, compliance or performance concerns. Check Point said the new phishing feature operates in this context and still blocks malicious activity.

R82.10 also introduces adaptive intrusion prevention system behaviour. The system adjusts alerts in response to activity and context. The company said this reduces alert fatigue for security teams.

New Threat Prevention Insights features highlight misconfigurations and posture gaps. The software flags these issues before attackers can exploit them.

Unified platform

The fourth focus area centres on platform integration and policy unification. Check Point said R82.10 extends its open-garden approach with more than 250 technology integrations.

These integrations allow organisations to bring endpoint posture signals from existing security providers into Check Point policies. The company said this improves identity-based controls and strengthens Zero Trust enforcement across tools.

Channel partners framed the release as part of a wider shift towards embedded AI security. "Check Point continues to deliver AI Security innovations at the exact moment customers need them," said Chris Konrad, Vice President, Global Cyber, World Wide Technology. "Their AI-driven security capabilities help organizations safeguard their businesses from the latest cyber threats, while providing enterprise-grade protection for sensitive AI workloads from model training to inference without compromising performance."

Check Point said Quantum Firewall Software R82.10 integrates with its broader AI security stack. This stack includes technology from Lakera, which Check Point acquired recently.

The company said the new software works alongside its Infinity Platform and open-garden architecture. It said this combination offers a unified path for enterprises that secure AI usage, automate prevention and maintain resilience across hybrid environments.

Check Point plans to showcase the R82.10 features in an upcoming webinar on securing AI transformation in highly connected networks. The company said customers will be able to download the software later this month.