The 156-587 exam is the official certification test for the Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Administrator (CCTA) R81. This certification is aimed at IT professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve issues in Check Point security environments.
As networks become more complex, the ability to troubleshoot quickly and accurately is a valuable skill. The CCTA R81 certification validates this skill using Check Point’s advanced tools and methods.
What Is the 156-587 CCTA Certification?
The CCTA (Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Administrator) certification focuses specifically on diagnosing and resolving common and complex issues in Check Point Security Gateways and Management Servers running on the R81 version.
This certification is part of the broader Check Point certification path and is considered an intermediate-level credential. It fits between the CCSA (basic administration) and CCSE (advanced configuration) certifications.
Who Should Take the 156-587 Exam?
This exam is designed for:
- Security administrators
- Network engineers
- Support staff responsible for Check Point firewalls
- Professionals who want to improve their troubleshooting skills
To take this exam, it’s recommended (but not strictly required) that you already hold the CCSA R81 (156-215.81) certification and have some hands-on experience with Check Point systems.
Topics Covered in the 156-587 Exam
The 156-587 exam focuses on the following topics:
- Introduction to troubleshooting methodology
- SmartConsole and SmartView monitoring tools
- Log and monitoring techniques
- Troubleshooting policy installation and verification
- Firewall kernel debugging and traffic flow analysis
- Identity Awareness issues and user authentication
- VPN troubleshooting (site-to-site and remote access)
- Threat Prevention and performance tuning
- Analyzing diagnostic data and crash files
The exam places heavy emphasis on using real Check Point tools such as fw monitor, cpview, tcpdump, and others.
Exam Format
- Exam Code: 156-587
- Exam Name: Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Administrator – R81
- Format: Multiple-choice questions
- Number of Questions: ~90
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Delivery: Pearson VUE test centers or online proctored
- Passing Score: Varies (typically around 70%)
How to Prepare for the 156-587 Exam
Here are some effective preparation tips:
1. Take the Official CCTA Training
Enroll in the Check Point CCTA R81 course if available. It includes real-world labs and examples that help you understand how to troubleshoot issues effectively.
2. Practice with Real Environments
Set up a lab using virtual machines and simulate common problems such as blocked traffic, VPN misconfigurations, or failed NAT rules.
3. Study the Tools
Focus on learning how to use Check Point diagnostic tools like:
fw ctl zdebugfw monitortcpdumpcpview- SmartConsole and SmartView logs
4. Use Official Documentation
Check Point provides rich admin and troubleshooting guides for free. These documents align well with the exam content.
5. Take Practice Exams
Use practice questions to test your knowledge. This helps you get familiar with the question style and timing.
Benefits of the CCTA (156-587) Certification
- Demonstrates advanced troubleshooting skills
- Helps reduce downtime and resolve issues faster
- Makes you a more valuable team member for network operations
- Opens doors to more senior roles and further certifications (like CCSE)
Final Thoughts
The 156-587 pdf dumps CCTA R81 certification is ideal for professionals who want to master troubleshooting in Check Point environments. It is a focused certification that proves you can not only manage but also fix real-world issues that affect network performance and security.
If you’re already comfortable with Check Point’s core products and want to move from configuration to resolution, this certification is the right next step.