What communication protocol does Harmony Endpoint management use to communicate with the management server?

To determine the correct communication protocol used by Harmony Endpoint management to communicate with the management server, we need to clarify what "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to in the context of Check Point's Harmony Endpoint solution. The provided document, "CP_R81.20_Harmony_Endpoint_Server_AdminGuide.pdf," offers detailed insights into the architecture and communication protocols used within this ecosystem. Let’s break this down step-by-step based on the official documentation.

Step 1: Understanding "Harmony Endpoint Management"

Harmony Endpoint is Check Point’s endpoint security solution, encompassing both client-side components (Endpoint Security Clients) and management-side components (SmartEndpoint console and Endpoint Security Management Server). The phrase "Harmony Endpoint management" in the question is ambiguous—it could refer to the management console (SmartEndpoint), the management server itself, or even the client-side management components communicating with the server. However, in security contexts, "management" typically implies the administrative or console component responsible for overseeing the system, which in this case aligns with the SmartEndpoint console.

The document outlines the architecture onpage 23under "Endpoint Security Architecture":

SmartEndpoint: "A Check Point SmartConsole application to deploy, monitor and configure Endpoint Security clients and policies."

Endpoint Security Management Server: "Includes the Endpoint Security policy management and databases. It communicates with endpoint clients to update their components, policies, and protection data."

Endpoint Security Clients: "Application installed on end-user computers to monitor security status and enforce security policies."

Given the question asks about communication "with the management server," it suggests that "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to the SmartEndpoint console communicating with the Endpoint Security Management Server, rather than the clients or the server communicating with itself.

Step 2: Identifying Communication Protocols

The document specifies communication protocols under "Endpoint Security Server and Client Communication" starting onpage 26. It distinguishes between two key types of communication relevant to this query:

SmartEndpoint Console and Server to Server Communication(page 26):

"Communication between these elements uses the Check Point Secure Internal Communication (SIC) service."

"Service (Protocol/Port): SIC (TCP/18190 - 18193)"

This applies to communication between the SmartEndpoint console and the Endpoint Security Management Servers, as well as between Endpoint Policy Servers and Management Servers.

Client to Server Communication(page 27):

"Most communication is over HTTPS TLSv1.2 encryption."

"Service (Protocol/Port): HTTPS (TCP/443)"

This covers communication from Endpoint Security Clients to the Management Server or Policy Servers.

The options provided are:

A. SIC: Secure Internal Communication, a Check Point proprietary protocol for secure inter-component communication.

B. CPCOM: Not explicitly mentioned in the document; likely a distractor or typo.

C. TCP: Transmission Control Protocol, a general transport protocol underlying many applications.

D. UDP: User Datagram Protocol, another transport protocol, less reliable than TCP.

Step 3: Analyzing the Options in Context

SIC: The document explicitly states onpage 26that SIC is used for "SmartEndpoint console to Endpoint Security Management Servers" communication, operating over TCP ports 18190–18193. SIC is a specific, secure protocol designed by Check Point for internal communications between management components, making it a strong candidate if "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to the SmartEndpoint console.

CPCOM: This term does not appear in the provided document. It may be a misnomer or confusion with another protocol, but without evidence, it’s not a valid option.

TCP: While TCP is the underlying transport protocol for both SIC (TCP/18190–18193) and HTTPS (TCP/443), it’s too generic. The question likely seeks a specific protocol, not the transport layer.

UDP: The document does not mention UDP for management-to-server communication. It’s used in other contexts (e.g., RADIUS authentication on port 1812, page 431), but not here.

Step 4: Interpreting "Harmony Endpoint Management"

If "Harmony Endpoint management" refers to theSmartEndpoint console, the protocol is SIC, as perpage 26: "Communication between these elements uses the Check Point Secure Internal Communication (SIC) service." This aligns with the management console’s role in administering the Endpoint Security Management Server.

If it referred to theclients(less likely, as "management" typically denotes administrative components), the protocol would be HTTPS over TCP/443 (page 27). However, HTTPS is not an option, and TCP alone is too broad. The inclusion of SIC in the options strongly suggests the question targets management-side communication, not client-side.

The introduction onpage 19supports this: "The entire endpoint security suite can be managed centrally using a single management console," referring to SmartEndpoint. Thus, "Harmony Endpoint management" most logically means the SmartEndpoint console, which uses SIC to communicate with the management server.

Step 5: Conclusion

Based on the exact extract frompage 26, "SmartEndpoint Console and Server to Server Communication" uses SIC (TCP/18190–18193). This matches option A. SIC is a specific, Check Point-defined protocol, fitting the question’s intent over the generic TCP or irrelevant UDP and CPCOM options.

Final Answer: A