Check Point CEO Gil Shwed Receives Prestigious Academy of Achievement Award
Shwed Recognized for Innovative Contribution to Business and Technology
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., June 21, 2002 – Check Point Software Technologies, (NASDAQ: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gil Shwed has been honored with the Academy of Achievement’s prestigious Golden Plate Award for his innovative contribution to business and technology, specifically in the area of Internet security and networking. The award was presented in Dublin, Ireland on June 8th during the International Achievement Summit Gala. Other award winners who participated in this year’s three day summit included former US President Bill Clinton, diplomat Henry Kissenger, award-winning musician and humanitarian Bono, rock-and-roll hall of famer Chuck Berry, and an array of additional state leaders, Nobel prize winners and prominent business leaders. The award was presented before a group of over 200 student delegates from more than 40 states, as well as over 100 academy members and former award winners.
Founded in 1961, the American Academy of Achievement’s mission is “to inspire youth with new dreams of achievement in a world of boundless opportunity.” Their Golden Plate Award annually recognizes 25 individuals who have made a significant difference in the world through their achievements in their respective professions, which span the fields of business, arts, sports, public service and science. Those previously honored include Microsoft Corporation founder William Gates, Academy Award-winning film director Stephen Spielberg, U.S. Army General Colin Powell, polio vaccine pioneer Dr. Jonas Salk, Nobel laureate Dr. James Watson, who identified the structure of DNA, and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Shwed is among the youngest ever to receive the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award.
The pioneer of Internet security, Shwed invented and holds the industry patent for Stateful Inspection technology, the industry standard for Internet security. He founded Check Point Software in 1993 with the vision of creating a world of secure communications. In 1994, his vision was realized with the release of Check Point FireWall-1®, the industry’s first commercial shrink-wrapped firewall. Check Point went on to be the first with virtual private networking solutions and now leads this market with over 250,000 installations and over 107 million users. Under Shwed’s leadership, Check Point has become the worldwide market leader in Internet security, and an international business success story. It is the largest and most successful company in Israel, where the company is based, and Shwed serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs around the world.
About Check Point Software Technologies
Check Point Software Technologies is the worldwide leader in securing the Internet. It is the confirmed market leader of both the worldwide VPN and firewall markets. The company’s Secure Virtual Network (SVN) architecture provides the VPN and security infrastructure that uniquely enables secure and reliable Internet communications. SVN solutions, as delivered in the company’s Next Generation product family, secure business communications and resources for corporate networks, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. Extending the power of SVN is Check Point’s Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry’s framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with “best-of-breed” solutions from over 300 leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of 2,500 certified partners in 203 countries. For more information, please call us at (800) 429-4391 or (650) 628-2000 or visit us on the Web at http://www.checkpoint.com or at http://www.opsec.com.