Check Point Software Technologies has launched a Firewall-as-a-Subscription programme that provides organisations with its AI Network Firewall, threat prevention and security management capabilities through a single subscription, without requiring an upfront hardware purchase.
The programme, announced on October 27, 2026, includes Check Point Force Firewalls with AI Network Firewall capabilities introduced in the R82.20 release, AI-powered threat prevention, Live Updates and agentic management. Organisations can choose a monthly or annual subscription and upgrade firewall throughput during the three-year subscription term.
The programme is aimed at organisations of different sizes and budgets as they manage cybersecurity spending and address network security requirements associated with growing AI adoption.
Subscription model addresses security budget constraints
Check Point cited rising inflation, interest rates and borrowing costs as factors putting pressure on capital budgets. The company said these constraints can affect organisations’ ability to fund planned firewall upgrades.
According to the 2026 Security Budget Benchmark from IANS Research and Artico Search, the median security budget did not grow during the year. The report found that 55% of chief information security officers (CISOs) saw their budgets remain flat or decline. While 64% requested an increase, only 45% received one.
Check Point said AI adoption is also increasing the amount of network traffic that organisations need to inspect. According to the company, constrained budgets can delay firewall refreshes, leaving organisations with hardware that was not designed for current AI-driven traffic and attacks.
The subscription programme is intended to provide access to the company’s firewall hardware and security capabilities through a predictable payment model rather than a large upfront purchase.
Pete Finalle, research manager for security and trust at IDC, said capital budget cycles can force organisations to delay firewall upgrades or purchase more capacity than they need.
Finalle said consumption models that convert on-premises security hardware into a predictable operating expense and allow organisations to scale protection as their requirements grow could help address these challenges. He added that demand for such flexibility could increase as AI adoption raises the volume of network traffic and the associated risks.
AI Network Firewall and threat prevention
The programme builds on Check Point’s R82.20 release, which introduced AI Network Firewall capabilities in July 2026. The technology is designed to inspect AI traffic, protect AI applications and help govern AI agents at the network layer.
The subscription includes Check Point Force Firewalls, sized and priced according to the threat prevention throughput required by an organisation.
It also includes AI-powered threat prevention, including SandBlast, which Check Point says has a 99.9% block rate against zero-day attacks. Live Updates are designed to apply security updates without requiring reboots or downtime.
Another component is the Smart-1 Agentic Management package, which provides cloud-based security management without additional on-premises infrastructure.
The subscription also includes premium support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with direct or collaborative support options.
Subscription includes upgrade and service options
Under the programme, organisations pay a monthly or annual subscription instead of purchasing firewall hardware upfront. They can upgrade throughput at any time during the three-year term and move to new hardware after 36 months.
The offering also includes professional services through Check Point Global Services Flex Credits. These credits can be used for policy migration from another vendor’s firewall or for other Check Point services.
Avi Rembaum, president of global technical sales at Check Point Software Technologies, said the programme was intended to make the company’s AI security, threat prevention and agentic management capabilities available to organisations regardless of size or budget.
Rembaum said the subscription model would allow organisations to access these capabilities as they work to secure their adoption of AI.
The programme brings together firewall hardware, AI-focused network security, updates, management, support and professional services under one subscription. Check Point said the model would allow organisations to increase throughput during the subscription term and move to new hardware after three years.