CheckPoint 156-587 Practice Exam Questions & Answers
5 Free Questions
· Last reviewed: September 12, 2026
· Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team
Exam Facts
CheckPoint 156-587 Exam Details
Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline
109
Practice Questions (Our Bank)
90 minutes
Exam Duration
70%
Passing Score
- Exam Code
- 156-587
- Full Name
- Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Expert - R81.20
- Issuing Body
- Check Point Software Technologies
- Question Format (Our Bank)
- Multiple Choice
- Delivery
- Online proctored or at a Pearson VUE test centre
Practice Questions
Free 156-587 Practice Questions
Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right
VA
ValidExamDumps Editorial Team
Every question and its answer is checked by our 156-587 exam
preparation team, who also write the explanation shown with each one.
How we research and review these pages
Your users have some issues connecting with Mobile Access VPN to your gateway. How can you debug the tunnel establishment?
Correct Answer:
C
Explanation
User-defined URLs and HTTPS inspection rules on Check Point Security Gateways are stored in the urlf_db.bin database file. This binary database maintains the custom URL definitions that administrators configure for security policy enforcement. Understanding where this data is stored is essential when troubleshooting HTTPS inspection issues or when URLs fail to be recognized by the gateway. The file resides on the gateway itself, not the management server, which is why direct access to the gateway is needed for certain troubleshooting tasks.
Which of the following inputs is suitable for debugging HTTPS inspection issues?
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation
The input that is suitable for debugging HTTPS inspection issues isfw debug tls on TDERROR_ALL_ALL=5. This input will enable the TLS debug mode and set the debug level to 5, which is the highest level of verbosity. Thefw debugcommand is used to control the debug features of the firewall modules, such as TLS, CPTLS, HTTP, etc. Thetlsoption will enable the debug mode for the TLS module, which is responsible for handling the HTTPS inspection feature. TheTDERROR_ALL_ALLenvironment variable will set the debug level to 5, which will generate the most detailed and comprehensive debug output.The debug output will be written to the$FWDIR/log/tls.elgfile, which can be collected and analyzed with the TLSView tool1to see the details of the HTTPS inspection process, such as certificate validation, SSL/TLS negotiation, encryption/decryption, etc. The other options are incorrect because:
fw ctl debug -m fw + conn drop cptlswill enable the kernel debug mode for the firewall module, with the flagsconn,drop, andcptls. The kernel debug mode will generate thekdebug.txtfile in the$FWDIR/logdirectory, which contains information about the firewall traffic processing in the kernel.The kernel debug mode is useful for troubleshooting issues related to policy, NAT, routing, and inspection, but not for issues related to HTTPS inspection, which is handled by the TLS module in the user space2.
vpn debug cptls onwill enable the IKE debug mode for the CPTLS module, which is a component of the VPN module. The IKE debug mode will generate theike.elgandikev2.xmllfiles in the$FWDIR/logdirectory, which contain information about the IKE negotiation, authentication, and key exchange between the VPN peers.The CPTLS module is responsible for handling the SSL/TLS encryption/decryption for the VPN traffic, but not for the HTTPS inspection traffic3.
fw diag debug tls enableis not a valid command and will not enable the TLS debug mode. Thefw diagcommand is used to control the diagnostic features of the firewall, such as packet capture, core dump, etc. Thedebugoption is not a valid option for thefw diagcommand, and thetlsoption is not a valid option for thedebugoption.Reference:
How to use the TLSView tool
How to debug the Firewall kernel (fw) module
How to debug VPN issues on Quantum Spark (SMB) Appliances
[fw diag - Check Point CLI Reference Card]
Check Point Access Control Daemons contains several daemons for Software Blades and features. Which Daemon is used for Application & Control URL Filtering?
Correct Answer:
B
Explanation
Observers in Check Point's Packet Processing Infrastructure serve as monitoring components that track the operational state of security gateways. They continuously collect status information and send this data back to the security manager for centralized visibility and reporting. This allows administrators to see real-time gateway health and behavior. When troubleshooting gateway issues, understanding observer functionality helps identify whether state reporting problems are originating from the gateway itself or from communication failures between the gateway and management server.
When a User process or program suddenly crashes, a core dump is often used to examine the problem Which command is used to enable the core-dumping via GAIA clish?
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation
In Check Point Gaia, you can enable core dumping through the command line interface (clish) using the following command:
set core-dump enable
This command activates the core dump mechanism, allowing the system to generate core dump files when user processes crash. Remember to save the configuration after enabling core dumps with the command:
save config
Why other options are incorrect:
B . set core-dump total: This command is used to set the total disk space limit for core dump files, not to enable core dumping itself.
C . set user-dump enable: There is no such command in Gaia clish for enabling core dumps.
D . set core-dump per_process: This command sets the maximum number of core dump files allowed per process, but it doesn't enable core dumping.
Check Point Troubleshooting Reference:
Check Point R81.20 Security Administration Guide: This guide provides comprehensive information about Gaia clish commands, including those related to system configuration and troubleshooting.
Check Point sk92764: This knowledge base article specifically addresses core dump management in Gaia, explaining how to enable and configure core dumps.
Enabling core dumps is a crucial step in troubleshooting process crashes as it provides valuable information for analysis and debugging.
What function receives the AD log event information?
Correct Answer:
D
Domain 1: Introduction to Advanced Troubleshooting
Measures skills of Check Point Network Security Engineers. Covers foundational concepts of advanced troubleshooting techniques and introduces methodologies and approaches for identifying and resolving complex network issues.
Domain 2: Advanced Management Server Troubleshooting
Focuses on troubleshooting management servers with emphasis on understanding server architecture and diagnosing performance and connectivity issues.
Sample question from this domain above:
Q5
Domain 3: Advanced Troubleshooting with Logs and Events
Covers the analysis of logs and events for troubleshooting. Teaches candidates to interpret log data to identify issues and security threats effectively.
Sample questions from this domain above:
Q1Q2
Domain 4: Advanced Gateway Troubleshooting
Addresses troubleshooting techniques specific to gateways. Includes methods for diagnosing connectivity issues and optimizing gateway performance.
Sample question from this domain above:
Q3
Domain 5: Advanced Firewall Kernel Debugging
Focuses on kernel-level debugging for firewalls. Teaches candidates to analyze kernel logs and troubleshoot firewall-related issues at a deeper level.
Domain 6: Advanced Access Control Troubleshooting
Demonstrates expertise in troubleshooting access control mechanisms. Involves understanding user permissions and resolving authentication issues.
Domain 7: Advanced Identity Awareness Troubleshooting
Measures skills of Check Point Security Consultants. Focuses on troubleshooting identity awareness systems.
Domain 8: Advanced Site-to-Site VPN Troubleshooting
Measures skills of Check Point System Administrators. Covers troubleshooting site-to-site VPN connections and resolving connectivity issues.
Domain 9: Advanced Client-to-Site VPN Troubleshooting
Measures skills of Check Point System Administrators. Focuses on troubleshooting client-to-site VPN issues and remote access problems.
Sample question from this domain above:
Q4
FAQ
156-587 Exam FAQ
Common questions about the exam itself
How difficult is the 156-587 CCTE exam compared to other Check Point certifications?
The CCTE R81.20 is an advanced-level exam that builds on Check Point security fundamentals. It demands hands-on experience with troubleshooting in production environments and tests depth of knowledge in areas like kernel debugging and VPN diagnostics.
What background do I need before attempting the 156-587 exam?
You should have solid experience with Check Point security environments. Most candidates have already earned the CCSA or have several years of working with Check Point gateways and management servers in real deployments.
Which domain in 156-587 is typically the hardest and how should I prepare?
Advanced Firewall Kernel Debugging challenges most candidates because it requires understanding low-level system operations. Hands-on practice with kernel logs, packet inspection tools, and real traffic analysis is essential. Lab environments where you can troubleshoot actual issues beat theoretical study.
How long does realistic preparation for 156-587 take?
Most people spend 4 to 8 weeks preparing if they already have Check Point experience. The exact time depends on your familiarity with advanced troubleshooting tools and kernel-level debugging. Active labwork typically takes longer than study materials alone.
What happens on exam day for the 156-587 certification?
You will answer 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes at a Pearson VUE test centre or through an online proctored session. You need to score 70 percent or higher to pass. The exam covers real-world troubleshooting scenarios.
What are the retake and rescheduling rules for 156-587?
Check Point's certification program allows you to retake exams, though specific wait periods or limits may apply. Contact your exam provider or check Check Point's certification FAQ for current rescheduling policies and any time restrictions between attempts.
How long does the CCTE certification stay valid?
Check Point certification validity terms vary by program. Contact Check Point directly or consult their certification FAQ at checkpoint.com to confirm whether CCTE R81.20 requires renewal and what recertification entails.
What job roles does the CCTE R81.20 certification map to?
The CCTE is designed for Check Point Security Consultants, Network Security Engineers, and System Administrators who need to diagnose and resolve complex security issues. It qualifies you for senior support roles and consultant positions.
How does 156-587 relate to other Check Point troubleshooting exams in the track?
The CCTE R81.20 sits above the CCTA (Check Point Certified Troubleshooting Administrator, 156-582) in the troubleshooting path. CCTA covers fundamental troubleshooting while CCTE focuses on advanced scenarios, kernel-level debugging, and complex multi-domain environments.
Can I use 156-587 to progress toward higher Check Point certifications?
The CCTE is part of Check Point's Infinity Specializations. Earning CCTE along with other Infinity Specialization exams counts toward the Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM) and CCSM Elite credentials.