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Check Point Software

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FY2013 Annual Report · Check Point Software
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UNITED STATES  
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  
Washington, D.C. 20549  

FORM 20-F  

(cid:0)

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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

OR  

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013  

OR  

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from             . to               

OR  

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

Date of event requiring this shell company report               

Commission file number 000-28584  

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES 
LTD.  

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)  

ISRAEL  
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)  

5 Ha’Solelim Street, Tel Aviv 6789705, Israel  
(Address of principal executive offices)  

John Slavitt, Esq.  
General Counsel 

    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Check Point Software Technologies, Inc. 
959 Skyway Road, Suite 300  
San Carlos, CA 94070 U.S.A.  
Tel: (650) 628-2110  
Fax: (650) 649-1975  
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)  

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.  

Title of each class
Ordinary shares, NIS 0.01 nominal value

Name of exchange on which registered
NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. None  

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None  

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2013. 
192,262,757 Ordinary Shares, nominal value NIS 0.01 per share  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities 
Act:    Yes  

    No  

⌧

(cid:2)

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to 
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:    Yes  

    No  

⌧

(cid:2)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), 
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  

    No  

⌧

(cid:2)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during 
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  
    No  

⌧

(cid:2)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See 
definitions of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

Large Accelerated filer    

            Accelerated filer    

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            Non-accelerated filer    

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Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:  
⌧

U.S. GAAP 

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(cid:2)

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 

Other 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the 
registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  

    Item 18  

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(cid:2)

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange 
Act):    Yes  

    No  

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(cid:2)

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
Currency of Presentation and Certain Defined Terms 

In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, references to “U.S.” or “United States” are to the United States of America, its territories 

and possessions; and references to “Israel” are to the State of Israel. References to “$”, “dollar” or “U.S. dollar” are to the legal 
currency of the United States of America; references to “NIS” or “Israeli shekel” are to the legal currency of Israel; references to 
“Euro” are to the legal currency of the European Union; and references to “Swedish Krona” are to the legal currency of the Kingdom 
of Sweden. Our financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP.  

All references to “we,” “us,” “our” or “Check Point” shall mean Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., and, unless 

specifically indicated otherwise or the context indicates otherwise, our consolidated subsidiaries.  

Forward-Looking Statements  

Some of the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are forward-looking statements that involve risks and 

uncertainties. The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F that are not purely historical are forward-looking 
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding: our expectations for our business, trends related to our 
business and the markets in which we operate and into which we sell products; future amounts and sources of our revenue; our future 
costs and expenses; the adequacy of our capital resources; our expectations with respect to share repurchases by us and dividend 
payments by us; our ongoing relationships with our current and future customers and channel partners; and our other expectations, 
beliefs, intentions and strategies. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology, such as “may,” “will,” 
“could,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the 
negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and 
other factors, which may cause our actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Many of 
these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are described in the risk factors set forth in “Item 3 – Key Information – Risk Factors” and 
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. All forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, are 
based on information available to us on the date of the filing. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-
looking statements after the date of the filing, except as required by applicable law.  

2 

  
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I  

Item 1.

   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Item 2.

   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Item 3.

   Key Information

Item 4.

   Information on Check Point

Item 4A.    Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 5.

   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Item 6.

   Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Item 7.

   Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

Item 8.

   Financial Information

Item 9.

   The Offer and Listing

Item 10.

   Additional Information

Item 11.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Item 12.

   Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

PART II

Item 13.

   Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Item 14.

   Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Item 15.

   Controls and Procedures

Item 16.

   Reserved

Item 16A.   Audit Committee Financial Expert

Item 16B.   Code of Ethics

Item 16C.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Item 16D.   Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Item 16E.    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Item 16F.    Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Item 16G.   Corporate Governance

Item 17.

   Financial Statements

Item 18.

   Financial Statements

Item 19.

   Exhibits

PART III

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4  

4  

  20  

  39  

  39  

   57  

   70  

  71  

  72  

  72  

  90  

  92  

  93  

   93  

  93  

  94  

  94  

  94  

  95  

  96  

  96  

   96  

   97  

  98  

  98  

  99  

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
PART I 

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 

Not applicable.  

ITEM 2.

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 

Not applicable.  

ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION 

Selected Financial Data  

We prepare our historical consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The selected financial data, set forth 

in the table below, have been derived from our audited historical financial statements for each of the years from 2009 to 2013. The 
selected consolidated statement of income data for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data at 
December 31, 2012 and 2013, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements set forth in “Item 18 – Financial 
Statements.” The selected consolidated statement of income data for the years 2009 and 2010, and the selected consolidated balance 
sheet data at December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, have been derived from our previously published audited consolidated financial 
statements, which are not included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. These selected financial data should be read in conjunction 
with our consolidated financial statements, as set forth in Item 18, and are qualified entirely by reference to such consolidated 
financial statements.  

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Consolidated Statements of Income Data:
Revenues 
Operating expenses (*): 

Cost of revenues 
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Restructuring and other acquisition related costs 

Total operating expenses 
Operating income 
Financial income, net 
Net gain (impairment net of gains) on sale of marketable 

securities previously impaired 
Income before taxes on income 
Taxes on income 
Net income 
Basic earnings per ordinary share 

2009

2010

Year ended December 31,
2011
(in thousands)

2012

2013

  $924,417   $1,097,868   $1,246,986     $1,342,695     $1,394,105  

  133,270  
89,743  
  220,877  
56,409  
9,101  
  509,400  
  415,017  
32,058  

163,973  
105,748  
235,301  
57,244  
588  
562,854  
535,014  
30,164  

175,683       159,161       162,634  
110,147       111,911       121,764  
253,800       255,345       276,067  
72,735  
65,182      
—    
—        
604,812       596,160       633,200  
642,174       746,535       760,905  
34,003  
39,023      

69,743      
—        

40,332      

(1,277) 
  445,798  
88,275  

928  
683,214       786,867       795,836  
139,248       166,867       143,036  
  $357,523   $ 452,826   $ 543,966     $ 620,000     $ 652,800  
3.34  
  $

(785) 
564,393  
111,567  

2,017      

1.71   $

2.18   $

3.04     $

2.63     $

—        

Shares used in computing basic earnings per 

ordinary share Net income

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

Shares used in computing diluted earnings per 

  209,371  
  $

1.68   $

208,106  

2.13   $

206,917       203,918       195,647  
3.27  

2.96     $

2.54     $

ordinary share 

  212,208  

212,933  

213,922       209,170       199,487  

(*)

Including pre-tax charges for amortization of intangible assets and stock based compensation in the following items: 

Amortization of intangible assets 

Cost of revenues 
Selling and marketing 
Research and development 

Stock-based compensation 
Cost of revenues 
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 

5 

  $28,224     $32,826     $31,171     $ 3,982     $
  22,429     16,309       12,754       3,046    
2,741       —         —      

—      

612  
2,408  
—    

  $

688     $ 1,033     $

829     $ 1,048  
9,001  
7,325       7,471       8,594    
7,279       7,888       9,677     11,193  
  18,538     19,543       23,509       26,187     29,870  

6,649    
5,032    

967     $

  
  
 
 
 
 
    
    
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: 
Working capital 
Total assets 
Shareholders’ equity 
Capital stock 

Risk Factors  

2009

2010

December 31,
2011
(in thousands)

2012

2013

  $ 648,944     $ 753,672     $1,007,533     $1,061,143     $ 613,464  
  3,069,594     3,605,302     4,128,063       4,544,885       4,886,437  
  2,319,718     2,719,331     3,073,091       3,346,309       3,602,097  
631,282       693,986       775,691  

528,648    

581,050    

An investment in our ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones 
we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, also may become 
important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition, results of operations and 
prospects could be materially harmed. In that event, the market price of our ordinary shares could decline and you could lose part or 
all of your investment.  

Risks Related to Our Business and Our Market  

If the market for information and network security solutions does not continue to grow, our business will be adversely affected  

The market for information and network security solutions may not continue to grow. Continued growth of this market will 

depend, in large part, upon:  

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•

•

  the continued expansion of Internet usage and the number of organizations adopting or expanding intranets; 

  the continued adoption of “cloud” infrastructure by organizations; 

  the ability customer’s respective infrastructures to support an increasing number of users and services; 

  the continued development of new and improved services for implementation across the Internet and between the Internet 

and intranets; 

  the adoption of data security measures as it pertains to data encryption and data loss prevention technologies; 

  government regulation of the Internet and governmental and non-governmental requirements and standards with respect to 

data security and privacy; and 

  general economic conditions in the markets in which we, our customers and our suppliers operate. 

In 2013, global and regional economies around the world and financial markets, remained volatile as a result of a multitude of 
factors, including adverse credit conditions, changes in economic activity, concerns about inflation and deflation, fluctuating energy 
costs, decreased consumer confidence, reduced capital  

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spending, adverse business conditions and liquidity concerns and other factors. During this period, many organizations limited their 
expenditures and a significant portion of such organizations have remained reluctant to increase expenditures. If challenging 
economic conditions continue or worsen, it may cause our customers to reduce or postpone their technology spending significantly, 
which could result in reductions in sales of our products, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price 
competition.  

Further, if the necessary infrastructure or complementary products and services are not developed in a timely manner and, 
consequently, the enterprise security, data security, Internet or intranet markets fail to grow or grow more slowly than we currently 
anticipate, our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. Additional details are 
provided in “Item 4 – Information on Check Point.”  

We may not be able to successfully compete, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations  

The market for information and network security solutions is intensely competitive and we expect that competition will continue 
to increase in the future. Our competitors include Cisco Systems, Inc., Juniper Networks, Inc., Fortinet Inc., SonicWall Inc. (acquired 
by Dell Inc.), Palo Alto Networks, Inc., WatchGuard Technologies, Inc., McAfee, Inc. (acquired by Intel Corporation), Sourcefire, 
Inc. (acquired by Cisco Systems Inc.), and other companies in the network security space. We also compete with several other 
companies, including Microsoft Corporation, Symantec Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, 
FireEye, Inc. and Websense Inc. with respect to specific products that we offer. There are hundreds of small and large companies that 
offer security products and services that we may compete with from time to time.  

Some of our current and potential competitors have various advantages over us, including longer operating histories; access to 

larger customer bases; significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources; a broader portfolio of products, applications 
and services; and larger patent and intellectual property portfolios. As a result, they may be able to adapt better than we can to new or 
emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their 
products. Furthermore, some of our competitors with more diversified product portfolios and larger customer bases may be better able 
to withstand a reduction in spending on information and network security solutions, as well as a general slowdown or recession in 
economic conditions in the markets in which they operate. In addition, some of our competitors have greater financial resources than 
we do, and they have offered, and in the future may offer, their products at lower prices than we do, or may bundle security products 
with their other offerings, which may cause us to lose sales or to reduce our prices in response to competition.  

In addition, consolidation in the markets in which we compete may affect our competitive position. This is particularly true in 

circumstances where customers are seeking to obtain a broader set of products and services than we are able to provide.  

The markets in which we compete also include many niche competitors, generally smaller companies at a relatively early stage 

of operations, which are focused on specific Internet and data security needs. These companies’ specialized focus may enable them to 
adapt better than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements in their specific areas of focus. In 
addition, some of these companies can invest relatively large resources on very specific technologies or customer segments. The 
effect of these companies’ activities in the market may result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any 
of which will materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.  

7 

  
Further, vendors of operating system software, networking hardware or central processing units, or CPUs, may enhance their 

products to include functionality that is currently provided by our products. The widespread inclusion of similar functionality to that 
which is offered by our solutions, as standard features of operating system software and networking hardware could significantly 
reduce the demand for our products, particularly if the quality of such functionality were comparable to that of our products. 
Furthermore, even if the network or application security functionality provided as standard features by operating systems software 
and networking hardware is more limited than that of our solutions, a significant number of customers may elect to accept more 
limited functionality in lieu of purchasing additional products.  

We may not be able to continue competing successfully against our current and future competitors, and increased competition 
may result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and operating margins, reduced net income, and loss of market share, any of 
which will materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. For additional information, see “Item 4 
– Information on Check Point.”  

If we fail to enhance our existing products, develop or acquire new and more technologically advanced products, or fail to 
successfully commercialize these products, our business and results of operations will suffer  

The information and network security industry is characterized by rapid technological advances, changes in customer 
requirements, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, and evolving industry standards in computer hardware and 
software technology. In particular, the markets for data security, Internet and intranet applications are rapidly evolving. As a result, 
we must continually change and improve our products in response to changes in operating systems, application software, computer 
and communications hardware, networking software, programming tools, and computer language technology. We must also 
continually change our products in response to changes in network infrastructure requirements, including the expanding use of cloud 
computing. Further, we must continuously improve our products to protect our customers’ data and networks from evolving security 
threats.  

Our future operating results will depend upon our ability to enhance our current products and to develop and introduce new 
products on a timely basis; to address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers; and to keep pace with technological 
developments, new competitive product offerings, and emerging industry standards. Our competitors’ introduction of products 
embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards may render our existing products obsolete or 
unmarketable. While we have historically been successful in developing, acquiring, and marketing new products and product 
enhancements that respond to technological change and evolving industry standards, we may not be able to continue to do so. In 
addition, we may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction, and marketing of these 
products, as well as the integration of acquired products. Furthermore, our new products or product enhancements may not adequately 
meet the requirements of the marketplace or achieve market acceptance. In some cases, a new product or product enhancements may 
negatively affect sales of our existing products. If we do not respond adequately to the need to develop and introduce new products or 
enhancements of existing products in a timely manner in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, our 
business, operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely affected. For additional information, see “Item 4 – 
Information on Check Point” and under the caption “We may not be able to successfully compete, which could adversely affect our 
business and results of operations” in this “Item 3 – Key Information – Risk Factors.”  

8 

  
If our products fail to protect against attacks and our customers experience security breaches, our reputation and business could be 
harmed  

Hackers and other malevolent actors are increasingly sophisticated, often affiliated with organized crime and operate large scale 
and complex attacks. In addition, their techniques change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target. 
If we fail to identify and respond to new and increasingly complex methods of attack and to update our products to detect or prevent 
such threats in time to protect our customers’ high-value business data, our business and reputation will suffer.  

In addition, an actual or perceived security breach or theft of the sensitive data of one of our customers, regardless of whether 

the breach is attributable to the failure of our products, could adversely affect the market’s perception of our security products. 
Despite our best efforts, there is no guarantee that our products will be free of flaws or vulnerabilities, and even if we discover these 
weaknesses we may not be able to correct them promptly, if at all. Our customers may also misuse our products, which could result in 
a breach or theft of business data.  

Product defects may increase our costs and impair the market acceptance of our products and technology  

Our products are complex and must meet stringent quality requirements. They may contain undetected hardware or software 

errors or defects, especially when new or acquired products are introduced or when new versions are released. In particular, the 
personal computer hardware environment is characterized by a wide variety of non-standard configurations that make pre-release 
testing for programming or compatibility errors very difficult and time-consuming. We may need to divert the attention of our 
engineering personnel from our research and development efforts to address instances of errors or defects.  

Our products are used to deploy and manage Internet security and protect information, which may be critical to organizations. 
As a result, the sale and support of our products entails the risk of product liability and related claims. We do not know whether, in 
the future, we will be subject to liability claims or litigation for damages related to product errors, or will experience delays as a result 
of these errors. Our sales agreements and product licenses typically contain provisions designed to limit our exposure to potential 
product liability or related claims. In selling our products, we rely primarily on “shrink wrap” licenses that are not signed by the end 
user, and for this and other reasons, these licenses may be unenforceable under the laws of some jurisdictions. As a result, the 
limitation of liability provisions contained in these licenses may not be effective. Although we maintain product liability insurance for 
most of our products, the coverage limits of these policies may not provide sufficient protection against an asserted claim. If litigation 
were to arise, it could, regardless of its outcome, result in substantial expense to us, significantly divert the efforts of our technical and 
management personnel, and disrupt or otherwise severely impact our relationships with current and potential customers. In addition, if 
any of our products fail to meet specifications or have reliability, quality or compatibility problems, our reputation could be damaged 
significantly and customers might be reluctant to buy our products, which could result in a decline in revenues, a loss of existing 
customers, and difficulty attracting new customers.  

We are subject to risks relating to acquisitions  

We have made acquisitions in the past and we may make additional acquisitions in the future. The pursuit of acquisitions may 

divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating, and pursuing suitable 
acquisitions, whether or not they are consummated.  

9 

  
Competition within our industry for acquisitions of businesses, technologies, assets and product lines has been, and may in the 
future continue to be, intense. As such, even if we are able to identify an acquisition that we would like to consummate, we may not 
be able to complete the acquisition on commercially reasonable terms or because the target is acquired by another company. 
Furthermore, in the event that we are able to identify and consummate any future acquisitions, we could:  

•

•

•

•

  issue equity securities which would dilute current shareholders’ percentage ownership; 

  incur substantial debt; 

  assume contingent liabilities; or 

  expend significant cash. 

These financing activities or expenditures could harm our business, operating results and financial condition or the price of our 
ordinary shares. Alternatively, due to difficulties in the capital and credit markets, we may be unable to secure capital on acceptable 
terms, or at all, to complete acquisitions.  

In addition, if we acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to integrate the acquired personnel, operations, and 

technologies successfully or effectively manage the combined business following the completion of the acquisition. We may also not 
achieve the anticipated benefits from the acquired business due to a number of factors, including:  

•

•

•

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•

•

  unanticipated costs or liabilities associated with the acquisition; 

  incurrence of acquisition-related costs; 

  diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; 

  harm to our existing business relationships with manufacturers, distributors and customers as a result of the acquisition; 

  the potential loss of key employees; 

  use of resources that are needed in other parts of our business; 

  use of substantial portions of our available cash to consummate the acquisition; or 

  unrealistic goals or projections for the acquisition. 

Moreover, even if we do obtain benefits from acquisitions in the form of increased sales and earnings, there may be a delay 
between the time when the expenses associated with an acquisition are incurred and the time when we recognize such benefits.  

We are dependent on a small number of distributors  

We derive our sales primarily through indirect channels. During 2011, 2012 and 2013, we derived approximately 58%, 55% and 

56%, respectively, of our sales from our ten largest distributors. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, each of our two distributors accounted for 
approximately 17%, 16% and 15% of our sales, respectively. We expect that a small number of distributors will continue to generate 
a significant portion of our sales. Furthermore, there has been an industry trend toward consolidation among distributors, and we 
expect this trend to continue in the near future which could further increase our reliance on a small number of distributors for a 
significant portion of our sales. If these distributors reduce the amount of their purchases from us for any reason, including because 
they choose to focus their efforts on the sales of the products of our competitors, our business, operating results and financial 
condition could be materially adversely affected.  

Our future success is highly dependent upon our ability to establish and maintain successful relationships with our distributors. 

In addition, we rely on these entities to provide many of the training and support services for our products and equipment. 
Accordingly, our success depends in large part on the effective performance of these distributors. Recruiting and retaining qualified 
distributors and training them in our technology and products requires significant time and resources. Further, we have no minimum  

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purchase commitments with any of our distributors, and our contracts with these distributors do not prohibit them from offering 
products or services that compete with ours. Our competitors may be effective in providing incentives to existing and potential 
distributors to favor their products or to prevent or reduce sales of our products. Our distributors may choose not to offer our products 
exclusively or at all. Our failure to establish and maintain successful relationships with distributors would likely materially adversely 
affect our business, operating results and financial condition.  

We purchase several key components and finished products from limited sources, and we are increasingly dependent on contract 
manufacturers for our hardware products.  

Many components, subassemblies and modules necessary for the manufacture or integration of our hardware products are 
obtained from a limited group of suppliers. Our reliance on sole or limited suppliers, particularly foreign suppliers, and our reliance 
on subcontractors involves several risks, including a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components, 
subassemblies or modules and limited control over pricing, quality and timely delivery of components, subassemblies or modules. 
Although we have been successful in the past, replacing suppliers may be difficult and it is possible it could result in an inability or 
delay in producing designated hardware products. Substantial delays could have a material adverse impact on our business.  

Managing our supplier and contractor relationships is particularly difficult during time periods in which we introduce new 
products and during time periods in which demand for our products is increasing, especially if demand increases more quickly than 
we expect. We also have extended support contracts with these suppliers and are dependent on their ability to perform over a period 
of years.  

We are dependent on a limited number of product families  

Currently, we derive the majority of our revenues from sales of integrated appliances and Internet security products, as well as 
related revenues from subscriptions and from software updates and maintenance. We expect that this concentration of revenues from 
a small number of product families will continue for the foreseeable future. Endpoint security products and associated software 
updates, maintenance and subscriptions represent an additional revenue source. Our future growth depends heavily on our ability to 
effectively develop and sell new and acquired products as well as add new features to existing products. For more details, see “Item 4 
– Information on Check Point” and “Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”  

We incorporate third party technology in our products, which may make us dependent on the providers of these technologies and 
expose us to potential intellectual property claims  

Our products contain certain technology that we license from other companies. Third party developers or owners of technologies 

may not be willing to enter into, or renew, license agreements with us regarding technologies that we may wish to incorporate in our 
products, either on acceptable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain licenses to these technologies, we may be at a disadvantage 
compared with our competitors who are able to license these technologies. In addition, when we do obtain licenses to third party 
technologies that we did not develop, we may have little or no ability to determine in advance whether the technology infringes the 
intellectual property rights of others. Our suppliers and licensors may not be required or may not be able to indemnify us in the event 
that a claim of infringement is asserted against us, or they may be required to indemnify us only up to a maximum amount, above 
which we would be responsible for any further costs or damages. Any failure to obtain licenses to intellectual property or any 
exposure to liability as a result of incorporating third party technology into our products could materially and adversely affect our 
business, operating results and financing condition.  

11 

  
We incorporate open source technology in our products which may expose us to liability and have a material impact on our product 
development and sales  

Some of our products utilize open source technologies. These technologies are licensed to us under varying license structures, 

including the General Public License. If we have improperly used, or in the future improperly use software that is subject to such 
licenses with our products, in such a way that our software becomes subject to the General Public License, we may be required to 
disclose our own source code to the public. This could enable our competitors to eliminate any technological advantage that our 
products may have over theirs. Any such requirement to disclose our source code or other confidential information related to our 
products could materially and adversely affect our competitive position and impact our business, results of operations and financial 
condition.  

We are the defendants in various lawsuits and have been subject to tax disputes and governmental proceedings, which could 
adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition  

We operate our business in various countries and accordingly attempt to utilize an efficient operating model to structure our tax 

payments based on the laws in the countries in which we operate. This can cause disputes between us and various tax authorities in 
different parts of the world.  

In November 2013, we reached a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”), with the Israeli Tax Authorities (“ITA”) 

for years 2002 through 2011 and accordingly, the Company and the ITA notified the court that they have reached an agreement 
outside of the court and obtained the court’s approval. See also Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further 
information.  

We have filed for a declaratory judgment in a patent related case. The adversary is a non-practicing entity. At this time, we do 

not expect the ultimate resolution of these litigation matters to be material to our business, results of operations and financial 
condition.  

Further, we are the defendant in various other lawsuits, including employment-related litigation claims, lease termination claims 
and other legal proceedings in the normal course of our business. Litigation and governmental proceedings can be expensive, lengthy 
and disruptive to normal business operations, and can require extensive management attention and resources, regardless of their merit. 
We will continue to vigorously assert and protect their interests in these lawsuits. While we currently intend to defend the 
aforementioned matters vigorously, we cannot predict the results of complex legal proceedings, and an unfavorable resolution of a 
lawsuit or proceeding could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. See also “Item 8 – 
Financial Information” under the caption “Legal Proceedings.”  

Class action litigation due to stock price volatility or other factors could cause us to incur substantial costs and divert our 
management’s attention and resources  

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a public company’s securities, securities class action litigation 
has often been instituted against that company. Companies such as ours in the technology industry are particularly vulnerable to this 
kind of litigation as a result of the volatility of their stock prices. We have been named as a defendant in this type of litigation in the 
past. Any litigation of this sort could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources.  

We may not be able to successfully protect our intellectual property rights  

We seek to protect our proprietary technology by relying on a combination of statutory as well as common law copyright and 

trademark laws, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual  

12 

  
provisions as indicated below in the section entitled “Proprietary Rights” in “Item 4 – Information on Check Point.” We have certain 
patents in the United States and in several other countries, as well as pending patent applications. We cannot assure you that pending 
patent applications will be issued, either at all or within the scope of the patent claims that we have submitted. In addition, someone 
else may challenge our patents and these patents may be found invalid. Furthermore, others may develop technologies that are similar 
to or better than ours, or may work around any patents issued to us. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, others may 
copy aspects of our products or obtain and use information that we consider proprietary. In addition, the laws of some foreign 
countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States, Israel or Sweden. Our efforts to 
protect our proprietary rights may not be adequate and our competitors may independently develop technology that is similar to our 
technology. If we are unable to secure, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights, such failure could harm our brand and 
adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.  

If a third-party asserts that we are infringing its intellectual property, whether successful or not, it could subject us to costly and time-
consuming litigation or expensive licenses, which could harm our business  

There is considerable patent and other intellectual property development activity in our industry. Our success depends, in part, 
upon our ability not to infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. Our competitors, as well as a number of other entities 
and individuals, own or claim to own intellectual property relating to our industry. From time to time, third parties may claim that we 
are infringing upon their intellectual property rights, and we may be found to be infringing upon such rights. In addition, third-parties 
have in the past sent us correspondence claiming that we infringe upon their intellectual property, and in the future we may receive 
claims that our products infringe or violate their intellectual property rights. Furthermore, we may be unaware of the intellectual 
property rights of others that may cover some or all of our technology or products. Any claims or litigation could cause us to incur 
significant expenses and, if successfully asserted against us, could require that we pay substantial damages or royalty payments, 
prevent us from selling our products, or require that we comply with other unfavorable terms. In addition, we may decide to pay 
substantial settlement costs and/or licensing fees in connection with any claim or litigation, whether or not successfully asserted 
against us. Even if we were to prevail, any disputes or litigation regarding intellectual property matters could be costly and time-
consuming and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations. As such, third-party claims 
with respect to intellectual property may increase our cost of goods sold or reduce the sales of our products, and may have a material 
and adverse effect on our business.  

We are exposed to various legal, business, political and economic risks associated with international operations; these risks could 
increase our costs, reduce future growth opportunities and affect our operating results  

We operate our business primarily from Israel, we sell our products worldwide, and we generate a significant portion of our 

revenue outside the United States. We intend to continue to expand our international operations, which will require significant 
management attention and financial resources. In order to continue to expand worldwide, we will need to establish additional 
operations, hire additional personnel and recruit additional channel partners, internationally. To the extent that we are unable to do so 
effectively, our growth is likely to be limited and our business, operating results and financial condition may be materially adversely 
affected.  

Our international sales and operations subject us to many potential risks inherent in international business activities, including, 

but not limited to:  

•

  technology import and export license requirements; 

13 

  
  
 
•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

  costs of localizing our products for foreign countries, and the lack of acceptance of localized products in foreign countries; 

  trade restrictions; 

  imposition of or increases in tariffs or other payments on our revenues in these markets; 

  greater difficulty in protecting intellectual property; 

  difficulties in managing our overseas subsidiaries and our international operations; 

  declines in general economic conditions; 

  political instability and civil unrest which could discourage investment and complicate our dealings with governments; 

  difficulties in complying with a variety of foreign laws and legal standards and changes in regulatory requirements; 

  expropriation and confiscation of assets and facilities; 

  difficulties in collecting receivables from foreign entities or delayed revenue recognition; 

  recruiting and retaining talented and capable employees; 

  differing labor standards; 

  potentially adverse tax consequences, including taxation of a portion of our revenues at higher rates than the tax rate that 

applies to us in Israel; 

  fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the impact of such fluctuations on our results of operations and financial 

position; and 

  the introduction of exchange controls and other restrictions by foreign governments. 

These difficulties could cause our revenues to decline, increase our costs or both. This is also specifically tied to currency 

exchange rates which has an impact on our financial statements based on currency rate fluctuations.  

Compliance with new and changing corporate governance and public disclosure requirements adds uncertainty to our compliance 
policies and increases our costs of compliance  

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to accounting, corporate governance and public disclosure, including the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank”), new SEC 
regulations, new amendments to the Israeli Companies Law and NASDAQ Global Select Market rules are creating increased 
compliance costs and uncertainty for companies like ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards may lack specificity 
and are subject to varying interpretations. For example, certain provisions of Dodd-Frank are currently in the process of being 
implemented through regulatory action, and recently implemented provisions of Dodd-Frank remain subject to evolving application 
and interpretation by regulatory authorities. The implementation of these laws and their application in practice may evolve over time 
as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance 
matters and higher costs of compliance as a result of ongoing revisions to such governance standards.  

14 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In particular, continuing compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding 

our required assessment of our internal control over financial reporting requires the commitment of significant financial and 
managerial resources and the report of an independent registered public accounting firm on the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting.  

In connection with our Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal 2013, our management assessed our internal control over 
financial reporting, and determined that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013, and our 
independent auditors have expressed an unqualified opinion over the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as 
of December 31, 2013. However, we will undertake management assessments of our internal control over financial reporting in 
connection with each annual report, and any deficiencies uncovered by these assessments or any inability of our auditors to issue an 
unqualified report could harm our reputation and the price of our ordinary shares.  

Recently, the SEC adopted new rules pursuant to Dodd-Frank setting forth new disclosure requirements concerning the use of 

certain minerals that are mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. These new requirements have 
required due diligence efforts by us in 2013, with initial disclosure requirements beginning in 2014. We have incurred and expect to 
continue to incur costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including for conducting diligence procedures 
to determine the sources of certain minerals that may be used or necessary to the production of our products and, if applicable, 
potential changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. In addition, these rules 
could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of materials used in our products, particularly if the number of suppliers 
offering the minerals identified as “conflict minerals” sourced from locations other than the Democratic Republic of Congo and 
adjoining countries is limited. It is also possible that we may face reputational harm if we determine that certain of our products 
contain minerals not determined to be conflict free and/or we are unable to alter our products, processes or sources of supply to avoid 
such materials.  

If we fail to comply with new or changed laws or regulations, our business and reputation may be harmed.  

A small number of shareholders own a substantial portion of our ordinary shares, and they may make decisions with which you or 
others may disagree  

As of January 31, 2014, our directors and executive officers owned approximately 24.0% of the voting power of our outstanding 

ordinary shares, or 26.7% of our outstanding ordinary shares if the percentage includes options currently exercisable or exercisable 
within 60 days of January 31, 2014. The interests of these shareholders may differ from your interests and present a conflict. If these 
shareholders act together, they could exercise significant influence over our operations and business strategy. For example, although 
these shareholders hold considerably less than a majority of our outstanding ordinary shares, they may have sufficient voting power to 
influence matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election and removal of directors and the approval or rejection 
of mergers or other business combination transactions. In addition, this concentration of ownership may delay, prevent or deter a 
change in control, or deprive a shareholder of a possible premium for its ordinary shares as part of a sale of our company.  

15 

  
We may be required to indemnify our directors and officers in certain circumstances 

We have entered into agreements with each of our directors and senior officers to insure, indemnify and exculpate them against 

some types of claims, subject to dollar limits and other limitations. Subject to Israeli law, these agreements provide that we will 
indemnify each of these directors and senior officers for any of the following liabilities or expenses that they may incur due to an act 
performed or failure to act in their capacity as our director or senior officer:  

•

•

  Monetary liability imposed on the director or senior officer in favor of a third party in a judgment, including a settlement or 

an arbitral award confirmed by a court. 

  Reasonable legal costs, including attorneys’ fees, expended by a director or senior officer as a result of an investigation or 

proceeding instituted against the director or senior officer by a competent authority; provided, however, that such 
investigation or proceeding concludes without the filing of an indictment against the director or senior officer and either: 

•

•

  No financial liability was imposed on the director or senior officer in lieu of criminal proceedings, or 

  Financial liability was imposed on the director or senior officer in lieu of criminal proceedings, but the alleged 

criminal offense does not require proof of criminal intent. 

•

  Reasonable legal costs, including attorneys’ fees, expended by the director or senior officer or for which the director or 

senior officer is charged by a court: 

•

•

•

  In an action brought against the director or senior officer by us, on our behalf or on behalf of a third party, 

  In a criminal action in which the director or senior officer is found innocent, or 

  In a criminal action in which the director or senior officer is convicted, but in which proof of criminal intent is 

not required. 

Our cash balances and investment portfolio have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by market conditions and interest 
rates  

We maintain substantial balances of cash and liquid investments, for purposes of acquisitions and general corporate purposes. 

Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $3,629.9 million as of December 31, 2013. The performance of the 
capital markets affects the values of funds that are held in marketable securities. These assets are subject to market fluctuations and 
various developments, including, without limitation, rating agency downgrades that may impair their value. We expect that market 
conditions will continue to fluctuate and that the fair value of our investments may be affected accordingly.  

Financial income is an important component of our net income. The outlook for our financial income is dependent on many 

factors, some of which are beyond our control, and they include the future direction of interest rates, the amount of any share 
repurchases or acquisitions that we effect and the amount of cash flows from operations that are available for investment. We rely on 
third-party money managers to manage the majority of our investment portfolio in a risk-controlled framework. Our investment 
portfolio throughout the world is invested primarily in fixed-income securities and is affected by changes in interest rates which 
continue to be low. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and 
international economic and political conditions. In a low or declining interest rate environment, borrowers may seek to refinance their 
borrowings at lower rates and, accordingly, prepay or redeem securities we hold more quickly than we initially expected. This action 
may cause us to reinvest the redeemed proceeds in lower yielding investments. Any significant decline in our financial income or the 
value of our investments as a result of the low interest rate environment, falling interest rates, deterioration in the credit rating of the 
securities in which we have invested, or general market conditions, could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and 
financial condition.  

We generally buy and hold our portfolio positions, while minimizing credit risk by setting maximum concentration limit per 
issuer and credit rating. Our investments consist primarily of government and corporate debentures. Although we believe that we 
generally adhere to conservative investment guidelines, the continuing turmoil in the financial markets may result in impairments of 
the carrying value of our  

16 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
investment assets. We classify our investments as available-for-sale. Changes in the fair value of investments classified as available-
for-sale are not recognized to income during the period, but rather are recognized as a separate component of equity until realized. 
Realized losses in our investments portfolio may adversely affect our financial position and results. Had we reported all the 
accumulated changes in the fair values of our investments into income, our reported net income for the year ended December 31, 
2013, would have increased by $1.8 million.  

Currency fluctuations may affect the results of our operations or financial condition  

Our functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. We generate a majority of our revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars. In 

2013, we incurred approximately 40% of our expenses in foreign currencies, primarily Israeli Shekels and Euros. Accordingly, 
changes in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. The exchange 
rate between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies has fluctuated substantially in recent years and may continue to fluctuate 
substantially in the future. We expect that a majority of our revenues will continue to be generated in U.S. dollars for the foreseeable 
future and that a significant portion of our expenses, including personnel costs, as well as capital and operating expenditures, will 
continue to be denominated in the currencies referred to above. The results of our operations may be adversely affected in relation to 
foreign exchange fluctuations. During 2013, we entered into forward contracts to hedge against some of the risk of changes in future 
cash flow from payments of payroll and related expenses denominated in Israeli Shekels.  

We entered into forward contracts to hedge the exchange impacts on assets and liabilities denominated in Israeli Shekels and 

other currencies. As of December 31, 2013, we had outstanding forward contracts that did not meet the requirement for hedge 
accounting, in the amount of $236.4 million. We use derivative financial instruments, such as foreign exchange forward contracts, to 
mitigate the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on accounts receivable and forecast cash flows denominated in certain foreign 
currencies. We may not be able to purchase derivative instruments adequate to fully insulate ourselves from foreign currency 
exchange risks and over the past year we have incurred losses as a result of exchange rate fluctuations that have not been effect in full 
by our hedging strategy.  

Additionally, our hedging activities may also contribute to increased losses as a result of volatility in foreign currency markets. 

If foreign exchange currency markets continue to be volatile, such fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could materially 
and adversely affect our profit margins and results of operations in future periods. Also, the volatility in the foreign currency markets 
may make it difficult to hedge our foreign currency exposures effectively.  

The imposition of exchange or price controls or other restrictions on the conversion of foreign currencies could also have a 

material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.  

Our business and operations are subject to the risks of earthquakes, fire, floods and other natural catastrophic events, as well as 
manmade problems such as power disruptions or terrorism  

Our headquarters in the United States, as well as certain of our research and development operations, are located in the Silicon 

Valley area of Northern California, a region known for seismic activity. We also have significant operations in other regions that have 
experienced natural disasters. A significant natural disaster occurring at our facilities in Israel or the U.S. or elsewhere, or where our 
channel partners are located, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. In 
addition, acts of terrorism could cause disruptions in our or our customers’ businesses or the economy as a whole. Further, we rely on 
information technology systems to communicate among our workforce located  

17 

  
worldwide. Any disruption to our internal communications, whether caused by a natural disaster or by manmade problems, such as 
power disruptions or terrorism, could delay our research and development efforts. To the extent that such disruptions result in delays 
or cancellations of customer orders, our research and development efforts or the deployment of our products, our business and 
operating results would be materially and adversely affected.  

Risks Related to Our Operations in Israel  

Potential political, economic and military instability in Israel, where our principal executive offices and our principal research and 
development facilities are located, may adversely affect our results of operations  

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, and our principal executive offices and principal research and 
development facilities are located in Israel. Accordingly, political, economic and military conditions in and surrounding Israel may 
directly affect our business. Since the State of Israel was established in 1948, a number of armed conflicts have occurred between 
Israel and its Arab neighbors. Terrorist attacks and hostilities within Israel; the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and between 
Israel and Hamas; the conflict between Hamas and Fatah; as well as tensions between Israel and Iran, have also heightened these 
risks, including extensive hostilities in November 2012 along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in missiles being 
fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Our principal place of business is located in Tel Aviv, Israel, which is approximately 40 miles 
from the nearest point of the border with the Gaza Strip. There can be no assurance that attacks launched from the Gaza Strip will not 
reach our facilities, which could result in a significant disruption of our business. Any hostilities involving Israel, a significant 
increase in terrorism or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or a significant 
downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could materially adversely affect our operations. Ongoing and revived 
hostilities or other Israeli political or economic factors could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial 
condition.  

Recent uprisings in various countries in the Middle East and North Africa are affecting the political stability of those countries. 

This instability may lead to deterioration of the political and trade relationships that exist between the State of Israel and these 
countries. In addition, this instability may affect the global economy and marketplace, including as a result of changes in oil and gas 
prices.  

Our operations may be disrupted by the obligations of our personnel to perform military service  

Many of our employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual military reserve duty in the Israel Defense Forces, in the event 
of a military conflict, could be called to active duty. Our operations could be disrupted by the absence of a significant number of our 
employees related to military service or the absence for extended periods of military service of one or more of our key employees. 
Military service requirements for our employees could materially adversely affect our business, operating results and financial 
condition.  

The tax benefits available to us require us to meet several conditions, and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would 
increase our taxes.  

For the year ended December 31, 2013, our effective tax rate was 18%. We have benefited or currently benefit from a variety of 
government programs and tax benefits that generally carry conditions that we must meet in order to be eligible to obtain any benefit. 
Our tax expenses and the resulting effective tax rate reflected in our financial statements may increase over time as a result of changes 
in corporate income tax rates, other changes in the tax laws of the countries in which we operate or changes in the mix of countries 
where we generate profit.  

18 

  
If we fail to meet the conditions upon which certain favorable tax treatment is based, we would not be able to claim future tax 

benefits and could be required to refund tax benefits already received. Additionally, some of these programs and the related tax 
benefits are available to us for a limited number of years, and these benefits expire from time to time.  

Any of the following could have a material effect on our overall effective tax rate:  

•

•

•

•

•

  Some programs may be discontinued, 

  We may be unable to meet the requirements for continuing to qualify for some programs, 

  These programs and tax benefits may be unavailable at their current levels, 

  Upon expiration of a particular benefit, we may not be eligible to participate in a new program or qualify for a new tax 

benefit that would offset the loss of the expiring tax benefit, or 

  We may be required to refund previously recognized tax benefits if we are found to be in violation of the stipulated 

conditions. 

Additional details are provided in “Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Products” under the caption “Taxes on 

income”, in “Item 10 – Additional Information” under the caption “Israeli taxation, foreign exchange regulation and investment 
programs” and in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.  

Provisions of Israeli law and our articles of association may delay, prevent or make difficult an acquisition of us, prevent a change of 
control, and negatively impact our share price  

Israeli corporate law regulates acquisitions of shares through tender offers and mergers, requires special approvals for 

transactions involving directors, officers or significant shareholders, and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of 
transactions. Furthermore, Israeli tax considerations may make potential acquisition transactions unappealing to us or to some of our 
shareholders. For example, Israeli tax law may subject a shareholder who exchanges his or her ordinary shares for shares in a foreign 
corporation, to taxation before disposition of the investment in the foreign corporation. These provisions of Israeli law may delay, 
prevent or make difficult an acquisition of our company, which could prevent a change of control and, therefore, depress the price of 
our shares.  

In addition, our articles of association contain certain provisions that may make it more difficult to acquire us, such as the 
provision which provides that our board of directors may issue preferred shares. These provisions may have the effect of delaying or 
deterring a change in control of us, thereby limiting the opportunity for shareholders to receive a premium for their shares and 
possibly affecting the price that some investors are willing to pay for our securities.  

Additional details are provided in “Item 10 – Additional Information” under the caption “Articles of Association and Israeli 

Companies Law – Anti-takeover measures.”  

As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we may follow certain home country 
corporate governance practices instead of certain NASDAQ requirements.  

As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain 

home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. For example, we 
follow our home country law, instead of the NASDAQ  

19 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Market Rules, which require that we obtain shareholder approval for the establishment or amendment of certain equity based 
compensation plans and arrangements. Under Israeli law and practice, in general, the approval of the board of directors is required for 
the establishment or amendment of equity based compensation plans and arrangements, unless the arrangement is for the benefit of a 
director or a controlling shareholder, in which case compensation committee or audit committee and shareholder approval are also 
required. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of NASDAQ requirements must submit to 
NASDAQ in advance a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s 
practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. In addition, a foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission each such requirement that it does not follow and describe the home country practice 
followed by the issuer instead of any such requirement. Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as 
provided under NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules.  

ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES 

Overview  

Check Point’s mission is to secure the Internet. Check Point was founded in 1993, and has since developed technologies to 
secure communications and transactions over the Internet by enterprises and consumers. Two decades ago, risks and threats were 
limited and securing the Internet was relatively simple. A firewall and an antivirus solution generally provided adequate security for 
business transactions and communications over the Internet. Today, enterprises require many (in some cases 15 or more) point 
solutions to secure their information technology (IT) networks from the multitude of threats and potential attacks and are facing an 
increasingly complex IT security infrastructure.  

Check Point’s core competencies are developing security solutions to protect business and consumer transactions and 

communications over the Internet, and reducing the complexity in Internet security. We strive to solve the security maze by bringing 
“more, better and simpler” security solutions to our customers.  

Check Point develops, markets and supports a wide range of products and services for IT security. We offer our customers an 

extensive portfolio of network security, endpoint security, data security and management solutions. Our solutions operate under a 
unified security architecture that enables end-to-end security with a single line of unified security gateways, and allow a single agent 
for all endpoint security that can be managed from a single unified management console. This unified management allows for ease of 
deployment and centralized control and is supported by, and reinforced with, real-time security updates.  

Check Point was an industry pioneer with our FireWall-1 and our patented Stateful Inspection technology. Check Point extended 
its IT security innovation with the development of our Software Blade architecture. Our dynamic Software Blade architecture delivers 
secure, flexible and simple solutions that can be customized to meet the security needs of any organization or environment.  

Our products and services are sold to enterprises, service providers, small and medium sized businesses and consumers. Our 

Open Platform for Security framework allows customers to extend the capabilities of our products and services with third-party 
hardware and security software applications. Our products are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of partners worldwide. 
Check Point customers include tens of thousands of businesses and organizations of all sizes, including all Fortune 100 companies. 
Check Point’s award-winning ZoneAlarm solutions protect millions of consumers from hackers, spyware and identity theft.  

20 

  
  
Business Highlights  

Details regarding the important events in the development of our business since the beginning of 2013 are provided in “Item 5 – 

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” under the caption “Overview.”  

We were incorporated as a company under the laws of the State of Israel in 1993 under the name of “Check Point Software 
Technologies Ltd.” Our registered office and principal place of business is located at 5 Ha’Solelim Street, Tel Aviv 6789705 Israel. 
The telephone number of our registered office is 972-3-753-4555. Our company’s web site is www.checkpoint.com. The contents of 
our web site are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 20-F.  

This Annual Report on Form 20-F is available on our web site. If you would like to receive a printed copy via mail, please 
contact our Investor Relations department at 959 Skyway Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, CA 94070, U.S.A., Tel.: 650-628-2050, email: 
ir@us.checkpoint.com.  

Our agent for service of process in the United States is CT Corporation System, 818 West Seventh Street, Los Angeles, CA 

90017 U.S.A.; Tel: 213-627-8252.  

Industry Background  

Several key factors and trends affect enterprise security. These factors and trends are set forth below.  

Continuing Evolution of Threats and Attacks. The continuing evolution of threats and attacks on IT systems is a major factor 

driving the need for enterprise security. These threats use technology, the Internet and deception to acquire sensitive information and 
to disrupt business operations. Some of these threats are unknown when they reach their targets, they are called “zero-day threats” and 
make it challenging for enterprises to proactively fight them. For example, in 2013, Check Point detected a crypted and previously 
unknown malware variant designed to deliver the DarkComet remote administration tool (RAT). These “crypters” disguise 
executables though the use of various encryption and encoding schemes, cleverly combined and recombined more than once to evade 
most AntiVirus solutions. These threats highlight the inner working of the family of advanced malware that are changing both the 
threat landscape and the range of solutions needed to defend networks and data.  

Increased Data Privacy and Compliance Regulation. The mounting number of governmental regulations around the world on 

data privacy and compliance is also impacting enterprise security. Enterprises need to put in place data security technologies to 
prevent violations of applicable laws regarding data privacy and protection and to avoid experiencing data loss or data theft, which 
could cause enterprises to suffer reputational harm and governmental sanctions, fines and penalties. Unfortunately loss of sensitive 
data did not slowdown in 2013 and if anything made a big comeback. Adobe Systems, Target, Neiman Marcus and other high-profile 
organizations suffered large breaches involving millions of consumers. Data has long been a prime target for hackers, including 
financial information, intellectual property, and insider business information and authentication credentials.  

Growth in Remote Connectivity. Another factor driving the need for enterprise security is the proliferation of smartphones and 

the growing number of people who work remotely and conduct their activities over mobile devices. Whether remote or mobile, 
workers need constant connectivity to the enterprise network. The need for increased connectivity has, in turn, expanded the need to 
safeguard and manage the access to information available over IT networks and to secure sensitive information contained on 
connected systems. In addition, remote and mobile users are seeking to access private enterprise networks  

21 

  
and information. With the mobile world being one of the fastest-growing IT focus in the last couple years, it is no surprise that 
hackers and criminals are accelerating the development of mobile platform exploits and developing at great speed malware targeting 
them.  

From Cloud Computing to Network Virtualization. Cloud computing, or Internet-based computing, whereby shared servers 
provide resources, software and data storage to computers and other devices on demand, is another trend that is driving the need for 
enterprise security across on-premise and in-the-cloud infrastructure. The most common form of cloud computing, known as 
virtualization, appeals to enterprises as a way to streamline and consolidate their IT infrastructure while reducing costs. New virtual 
environments and public and private clouds jeopardize enterprises’ overall security posture if they are not deployed within the 
appropriate security infrastructure. In addition, 2013 saw the coming of age of network virtualization, yet another emerging 
technology to consolidate and scale network usage. Software-defined Network technologies are making their way into corporate 
infrastructure in 2013 and the need to secure such new environment while keeping up with existing ones add to the complexity of IT 
infrastructures.  

The Threat of Social Engineering. As security solutions get better and are more thoroughly deployed throughout enterprises, 

attackers try to bypass security mitigations and restrictions by just “hacking” the human mind and by deceiving employees into 
providing credentials or clicking on an infected link. Many of the Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) mentioned above have taken 
root within their target with social engineering providing attackers with the first entry door.  

Growing Complexity in the IT Network. Another key trend affecting IT security is the complexity of deploying, managing and 

monitoring the many technologies needed to fully secure the enterprise IT network. Each security solution comes with its own 
management console and requires specific training, stretching IT department resources. Integrated security solutions are sought in an 
effort to keep the security infrastructure simple to manage yet flexible enough to make changes.  

Check Point’s Vision for Security  

As the Internet has evolved and advanced, it has created increased functionality for Internet users and simultaneously provided 

opportunities for more sophisticated and varied methods of attack. This evolution has driven the need for more comprehensive 
computer security. In response, organizations have added layers of security to their existing infrastructure, multiplying the number of 
disparate point solutions that they deploy in an attempt to achieve a higher level of protection. Unfortunately, while adding new 
solutions, enterprises also create more IT infrastructure complexity, leaving them with a nearly unmanageable environment. Check 
Point’s answer to this challenge is to redefine security and enable enterprises to address major security challenges with a strong 
security platform that elevates simplicity as a top priority and helps organizations align security with their business goals.  

Check Point recently introduced the Software-defined Protection (SDP), a revolutionary security architecture that aims to protect 

organizations in today’s fast-evolving IT and threat landscape. Software-defined Protection offers modern security today that can 
effectively protect against unknown threats, through a design that is modular, agile and most importantly, secure. SDP is a three-layer 
security architecture comprised of enforcement, control and management layers. This framework decouples the control layer from the 
enforcement layer, enabling robust and highly-reliable enforcement points that obtain real-time protection updates from a software-
based control layer. SDP converts threat intelligence into immediate protections and is managed by a modular and open management 
structure.  

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SDP combined with Check Point Next Generation Threat Prevention and Next Generation Firewall solutions, fed by the industry 

largest threat knowledge-base – ThreatCloud™ provides the most robust and agile enterprise security to fight modern malware.  

Product Offerings  

In an effort to simultaneously address the need for scalable security solutions and the retention of initial investments, Check 
Point introduced the Software Blade architecture in February 2009. The architecture provides customers with the ability to tailor their 
security gateways based on their specific needs at any time. It offers enterprises a common platform to deploy independent, modular 
and interoperable security applications or “Software Blades” such as firewall, virtual private network (VPN), intrusion prevention 
system (IPS), Application Control, Anti-Bot, antivirus, data loss prevention (DLP), policy management, event analysis, or multi-
domain management. The new architecture allows customers to select the exact security they need from a library of over 20 Software 
Blades, and to combine these blades into a single, centrally-managed solution. Customers can easily extend their security solutions by 
adding new Software Blades without the need to purchase additional hardware. This allows our customers to deploy security 
dynamically, when needed, with lower total cost of ownership, full integration, and on a single management console. Check Point 
also offers these software blades grouped into functional packages to address specific security issues. The four packages offered are: 
Next Generation Firewall, Next Generation Threat Prevention, Next Generation Secure Gateway and Next Generation Data 
Protection.  

Many of the software blades that relate to Threat Prevention are fed by a cloud based threat intelligence knowledge base, 
introduced in 2012 –ThreatCloud™. Check Point ThreatCloud™, the first collaborative network to fight cybercrime, gathers threat 
data from an innovative worldwide network of threat sensors and distributes threat intelligence to security gateways around the globe. 
Towards the end of 2013, ThreatCloud contained over 11 million malware signatures, 2.7 million malware-infested sites and over 
5,500 different botnet communication patterns. Check Point ThreatCloud powers the Threat Prevention software blades by feeding 
threat updates directly to customers’ gateways, enabling them to enforce pre-emptive protection against advanced threats, such as 
bots, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and other forms of sophisticated malware.  

In 2013, Check Point released the latest version of the software blades, R77. The new release includes Check Point new 
ThreatCloud Emulation Service and Compliance Software Blade as well as over 50 product enhancements, including Check Point 
HyperSpect™ performance enhancing technology, a new Central Device Management, improved user identity awareness with 
RADIUS and IF-MAP integration and enhancements to Check Point’s GAiA™ Unified Operating System.  

•

  ThreatCloud Emulation Service—Check Point’s ThreatCloud Emulation Service prevents infections from undiscovered 
(zero-day) exploits, new variants of malware, and targeted attacks and advanced persistent threats (APT). Part of Check 
Point’s leading multi-layered Threat Prevention solution, ThreatCloud Emulation Service quickly inspects suspicious files, 
emulates how they run to discover malicious behavior, and instantly blocks newly identified malware in email attachments, 
file downloads, and direct web content. Attack information is then shared with Check Point ThreatCloud for automatic 
protection. 

•

  Compliance Software Blade—The Compliance Software Blade is the first next-generation firewall-integrated and fully-

automated compliance monitoring solution that leverages an extensive knowledge of regulatory requirements and over 300 
security best practices. It aims at reducing the complexity of external compliance requirements and internal security 
mandates by providing instant notification of policy changes, by continuously assessing security posture across all Check 
Point Software Blades and by offering actionable recommendations to improve compliance and security. 

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In 2013, Check Point also introduced two new high end appliances: the 21700 and the 13500 appliances.  

•

•

  21700 Appliance—The new 21700 Appliance provides market leading security and the fastest performance in a compact 
2U chassis. It offers maximum security performance straight out of the box with 78 Gbps of firewall throughput, 25 Gbps 
of IPS throughput and a 2,922 SecurityPower™ unit (SPU) rating. 

  13500 Appliance—The 13500 Appliance is the first in a new line of 13000 appliances designed specifically to expand the 
company’s data center network security offerings. It delivers fast security performance with 23.6 Gbps of real-life firewall 
throughput, 5.7 Gbps of real-life IPS throughput and 3,200 SecurityPower™ unit (SPU) rating. 

In 2013, Check Point also focused on small enterprise branches and small and medium businesses by introducing the 1100 and 

600 appliances. The new 1100 appliances provide enterprise-class security in a compact desktop package designed for branch and 
remote offices. They offer unparalleled performance with 1.5 Gbps of max firewall throughput, 220 Mbps of max VPN throughput 
and a 37 SecurityPower™ unit (SPU) rating. The new 600 appliances offer big security to small businesses, delivering powerful 
security to protect small businesses against the latest cyber-attacks. They provide an affordable, all-in-one security solution with 
market leading performance of 1.5 Gbps of firewall throughput and 37 SecurityPower™ units. Shortly after being released, the 600 
appliances won the Network World Clear Choice Test Shootout that recognized Check Point for having the number one Unified 
Threat Management (UTM) product for small businesses.  

Finally, in late 2013, Check Point and Blue Coat Systems announced that they are extending their successful, longstanding 
partnership. To drive market growth and continued success, Check Point will be the primary distributor for the X-Series platform in 
the network security firewall market and will deliver frontline support for the product.  

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Early this year, Check Point introduced the Software-defined Architecture, a modern security architecture powered by 

collaborative intelligence. This new architectural design allows ours products to respond to the changing needs of high-demanding IT 
infrastructures and networks, and a fast-evolving landscape where threats grow more intelligent every day. Software-defined 
Protection (SDP) is a new, pragmatic security architecture and methodology that offers a modular, agile and most importantly, 
SECURE infrastructure.  

Software-defined Protection partitions the security infrastructure into three interconnected layers:  

•

•

•

  An Enforcement Layer that is based on physical, virtual and host-based security enforcement points and that segments the 

network as well as executes the protection logic in high-demand environments. 

  A Control Layer that analyzes different sources of threat information and generates protections and policies to be executed 

by the Enforcement Layer. 

  A Management Layer that orchestrates the infrastructure and brings the highest degree of agility to the entire architecture. 

Designed to be forward-looking, the SDP architecture supports traditional network security and access control policies 

requirements as well as the threat prevention needed by modern enterprises that embrace new technologies such as mobile computing 
and Software-defined Networks (SDN).  

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1. Network security gateway Software Blades and appliances 

Our wide range of network security gateways allows our customers to implement their security policies on network traffic 
between internal networks and the Internet, as well as between internal networks and private networks that are shared with partners. 
These gateways are available as either appliances or as software solutions, providing customers with a broad range of deployment 
options and the ability to customize the configuration to best meet their security needs.  

Our security gateway product line includes the following offerings to secure traffic and optimize performance:  

Software Blades:  

•

  Firewall Software Blade – Inspects traffic as it passes through security gateways, classifying it based on various criteria, 
such as source and destination of connection, protocol, services and application used. This provides a means to allow, 
block and log each connection based on the enterprise’s security policy. Our firewall technology is based on several key 
differentiated technologies, including the patented Stateful Inspection technology, which allows flexible and programmable 
classification of network traffic. 

•

  Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) Software Blade – Monitors the network for malicious or unwanted traffic and is 

designed to be able to detect and block “known” and “unknown” attacks on the network or system. Our IPS Software 
Blade is supported by online security update services that provide the latest defense mechanisms, including “signatures” 
for the most recent attacks. 

•

  Data Loss Prevention Software Blade – Preemptively protects sensitive information – regulatory, confidential and 

proprietary – from unintentional loss by combining technology and processes. Introduced in 2010, its unique UserCheck™ 
technology brings a human factor to DLP by empowering users to remediate incidents in real-time while educating them 
on DLP policies. The included MultiSpect™ technology creates a data classification engine to assist in preventing 
inadvertent data loss. 

•

•

•

  Application Control Software Blade – Enables enterprises to identify, allow, block or limit usage of thousands of Web 2.0 
applications and leverages Check Point AppWiki, one of the world’s largest application libraries with over 200,000 social 
network widgets and 5,700 Internet applications, including social networking, instant messaging and media streaming. 
Introduced in 2010, it allows enterprises to benefit from a unique combination of technology, user awareness with 
UserCheck™ and broad application control. 

  Identity Awareness Software Blade – Provides granular visibility of users, groups and machines, providing unmatched 

application and access control through the creation of accurate, identity-based policies. 

  Mobile Access Software Blade – Allows corporate applications to safely and easily connect to the Internet with 

smartphones, iPhones, tablets, iPads or PCs. It provides enterprise-grade remote access via SSL VPN, allowing a simple, 
safe and secure connectivity to email, calendar, contacts and corporate applications. Users can easily download the Check 
Point Mobile App on their smartphone free of charge, get an activation code from their administrator and start to access 
their corporate resource safely. We launched the Check Point Mobile Access Software Blade in 2010. 

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•

•

•

  Anti-Bot Software Blade – Helps businesses discover, stop and prevent bot damage. The Anti-Bot Software Blade features 
Check Point’s Multi-tier ThreatSpect™, a unique bot detection engine that analyzes traffic on every gateway and discovers 
bots by correlating multiple risk factors, such as botnet patterns, remote operator hide-outs and attack behaviors. When a 
bot is identified, the solution prevents damage by immediately blocking communication between infected hosts and remote 
operators. The Anti-Bot Software Blade is powered by ThreatCloud. 

  Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) Software Blade – Provides the means to enable private communication over a network by 
encrypting traffic between various sub-networks (site-to-site) or individual computers (such as laptops and other mobile 
devices) and the enterprise network. 

  Antivirus Software Blade – Enables customers to restrict access to malware-infested websites and prevents unknown virus 
infections from invading a customer’s network through the use of real-time virus signatures and anomaly-based protections 
from ThreatCloud. This version delivers over 300 times more signatures than previous versions. 

•

  Anti-Spam and Email Security Software Blade – Provides comprehensive protection for an enterprise’s messaging 

infrastructure. A multi-dimensional approach protects the email infrastructure, provides highly accurate spam protection, 
and defends organizations from a wide variety of virus and malware threats delivered within email. Continual updates 
through a Check Point software update service help to intercept threats before they spread. 

•

  Web Security Software Blade – Provides a set of advanced capabilities that detect and prevent attacks launched against the 
Web infrastructure. The Web Security Software Blade delivers comprehensive protection when using the Web for business 
and communication. 

•

  Advanced Networking & Clustering Software Blade – Simplifies network security deployment and management within 

complex and highly utilized networks, while maximizing network performance and security in multi-Gbps environments. 
Built on top of the Software blades architecture, the Advanced Networking & Clustering blade provides advanced routing, 
multicast support, QOS, ISP redundancy, Load Balancing and Security Acceleration technologies. 

•

  URL Filtering Software Blade – Integrates with Application Control to allow unified enforcement and management of all 
aspects of web security. URL Filtering provides optimized web control through full integration in the gateway to prevent 
bypass through external proxies, an integration of policy enforcement with Application Control for full Web and Web 2.0 
protection, and empowers and educates users on web usage policy in real time with embedded Check Point UserCheck 
technology. We launched a new version of the Check Point URL Filtering Software Blade in 2011. 

Most of our products are sold as predefined bundles of “Software Blades.” These systems are offered as “appliances” that 
include hardware and software directly from Check Point or software only which runs on Check Point-provided operating systems or 
open servers.  

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Check Point Appliances:  

•

•

  600 Appliances – With three models (620, 640 and 680) for small businesses, the 600 Appliances were announced in 
2013. The 600 Appliances deliver enterprise-grade security in a simple, all-in-one security solution to protect small 
business from modern cyber-threats. Leveraging the flexible Software Blade Architecture, the 600 Appliances deliver 
multi-layered security to the small-office environment. 

  1100 Appliances – With three models (1120, 1140 and 1180) for small branches and offices, the 1100 Appliances were 
also announced in 2013. The 1100 Appliances offer best-in-class enterprise security to the branch office. Leveraging the 
extensible Software Blade Architecture, these all-in-one appliances offer robust multi-layered protection with flexible 
network interfaces in a compact desktop form factor. The 1100 Appliances offer big security for small branch offices. 

•

  2200 Appliance – The 2200 Appliance offers enterprise-grade security with leading performance in a compact desktop 

form factor. With its multi-core technology and six 1-gigabit Ethernet ports, the 2200 Appliance is capable of securing any 
branch office or small office. 

•

  4000 Appliances – With four models (4200, 4400, 4600 and 4800), the 4000 Appliances offer complete and integrated 

security solutions in a compact 1U form factor. Delivering firewall throughput up to 11 Gbps and IPS throughput up to 6 
Gbps, these enterprise-grade appliances deliver superior performance for their class. 

•

  12000 Appliances – With three models (12200, 12400 and 12600), the 12000 Appliances feature multi-core security 
technology and high port density, are ideally suited for perimeter security of large network environments as well as 
business-critical internal network segments. High business continuity and serviceability are delivered through features such 
as hot-swappable redundant power supplies/disk drives, a lights-out-management remote management card and High-
Availability features such as Check Point ClusterXL and Load-Sharing. 

•

  13500 Appliance – Announced in 2013, the 13500 Appliance is a platform for data center cyber-security delivering 

blazing-fast multi-layer security and industry-leading performance. The 13500 Appliance is fully-featured, scalable, and 
easy to operate, enabling data centers to more effectively stop growing sophisticated attacks. 

•

  21000 Appliances – With three models (21400, 21600 and 21700), the 21000 Appliances offer superior scalability, 

availability and serviceability with high performance and high port density. Optimized for the Check Point Software Blade 
Architecture, the 21000 Appliances improve security performance, protect business continuity and reduce operational costs 
in complex, mission-critical security environments such as large campuses, data centers or managed service providers. 

•

  61000 Security System – The Check Point 61000 Security System is an industry-leading security appliance, offering 
scalable performance for data centers and telecommunication companies. This appliance is based on a multi-bladed 
hardware platform that is capable of delivering an industry-leading firewall throughput of 400 Gbps in a single gateway. 
Even more, the ability to support 210 million concurrent connections and 600,000 sessions per second brings high 
performance to multi-transaction environments. 

Virtualization and Cloud Computing:  

Virtualization and Cloud Computing are the most prominent trends in the datacenter and IT industry. Another related trend is the 

use of shared computing services to outsource certain IT functions, including through cloud computing. Check Point has multiple 
offerings to address the new security challenges for these environments. Check Point Security solutions also adopt virtualization to 
consolidate up to 250 physical Check Point gateways into a single high performance hardware platform.  

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•

  Virtual Systems and VSX – Check Point Virtual Systems and VSX deliver virtualized security gateways for network 

security, enabling enterprises to consolidate multiple security gateways in a single hardware system and to secure multiple 
environments and deliver infrastructure consolidation. The Check Point Virtual Systems solution is supported on any 
Check Point Appliance as well as open servers. This virtualized gateway solution has been available since the introduction 
of VSX in 2002. Check Point Virtual Systems release was introduced in 2012. 

•

•

  Security Gateway Virtual Edition (VE) – Check Point Security Gateway VE protects dynamic virtualized environments 
from both internal and external threats by securing virtual machines and applications. Security Gateway Virtual Edition 
provides hypervisor-level security for traffic between guests on a shared server and enables the deployment of a Check 
Point security gateway within the VMware virtualized deployments. It provides comprehensive security based on Software 
Blade architecture fully integrated in the dynamic virtualized environment. VE was released in late 2008. 

  Virtual Appliance for Amazon Web Services – Check Point Virtual Appliance for Amazon Web Services enables customers 
to extend their security in the Amazon cloud with the full range of protections using Check Point Software Blades. This 
security gateway for virtual environments in the Amazon Cloud is easy to deploy through Amazon marketplace and 
prevents network attacks and data breaches while enabling secure connectivity in dynamic cloud computing environments. 
Check Point Virtual Appliance for Amazon Web Services was released and launched in early January 2012. 

2. Endpoint security  

Our endpoint security offerings provide multiple Software Blades that run on individual computers connected to the network, 

such as desktop computers, laptop computers and other mobile devices. These offerings include:  

•

  Firewall & Security Compliance Software Blade – Prevents network attacks on individual computers by blocking internal 

attacks and the proliferation of network “worms” within the enterprise IT network, as well as attacks on desktop and laptop 
computers that are connected to public networks. It also provides information on the compliance of individual computers to 
the enterprise’s security policy and allows selective connectivity of devices to the network based on their compliance. 

•

•

  Full Disk Encryption (FDE) Software Blade – Fully encrypts all data stored on a PC, so that unauthorized parties cannot 

read any data even if they get physical access to the disk drive. 

  Media Encryption (ME) and Port Protection Software Blade – Enables encryption of data stored on mobile devices, such 
as CDs and DVDs and other external removable media, and allows an organization to control the transfer of information 
from individual computers to external devices, such as USB memory devices and external hard drives. 

•

  Remote Access VPN Software Blade – Enables mobile devices to securely access the enterprise IT network by encrypting 

all traffic and ensuring mobile devices and users are properly authenticated. 

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•

  Anti-Malware and Program Control Software Blade – Detects viruses and other malware that try to run on any device 

and/or circumvent its operation. Program control ensures that only legitimate and approved programs are allowed to run on 
the endpoint. 

The endpoint security Software Blades are integrated into a single endpoint security agent with a single client, single interface, 

single login and single scan. This solution provides security, ease of use and ease of management.  

3. Security management  

A key element in implementing our security technologies is the ability to effectively manage their deployment while ensuring 

consistent operations in accordance with an enterprise’s security policy. Our vision is to provide a single console for security 
management. This single console simplifies security management and reduces the need for multiple, sometimes conflicting, 
management systems that require a high degree of specialization and training. The key Software Blades included in our management 
offerings are:  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

  Network Policy Management Software Blade – Provides comprehensive network security policy management via Smart 

Dashboard, a single, unified console. 

  Endpoint Policy Management Software Blade – Enables central deployment, management, monitoring and enforcement of 

security policy for all endpoint devices across any sized organization. 

  Logging & Status Software Blade with Smart Log – Delivers comprehensive and usable information in the form of logs for 

searching, accessing and sorting big data collections. 

  Monitoring Software Blade – Provides a complete view of network and security performance, enabling fast response to 

changes in traffic patterns and security events. 

  Management Portal Software Blade – Extends a browser-based view of security policies to outside groups, such as support 

staff, while maintaining central policy control. 

  User Directory Software Blade – Enables Check Point gateways to leverage directory servers (LDAP) based user 

information stores, eliminating the risks associated with manually maintaining and synchronizing redundant data stores. 

  IPS Event Analysis Software Blade – Provides a complete IPS event management system providing situational visibility, 

easy to use forensic tools, and reporting. 

  Smart Provisioning Software Blade – Provides centralized administration and provisioning of Check Point security devices 

via a single management console. 

  Smart Workflow Software Blade – Delivers a formal process of policy change management that helps administrators reduce 

errors and enhance compliance. 

  Smart Reporter Software Blade – Presents vast amounts of security and network data in graphical, easy-to-understand 

reports. 

  Smart Event Software Blade – Turns security information into action with centralized, real-time security event correlation 

and management for Check Point security gateways and third-party devices. 

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•

  Multi-domain Software Blades – Enables enterprises to segment their security management into virtual domains while 

consolidating their hardware infrastructure. In addition, the new Software Blades allow for stronger and better security with
the deployment of consistent global policies across all domains. 

We also offer our SMART-1 security management appliances that combine functionality, storage and turn-key deployment into 

a single device.  

Our Software Blades run in a variety of deployment environments and on platforms that include standard workstations, servers 
and dedicated appliances. Check Point has both software and dedicated appliance solutions for gateway and management offerings. 
Check Point offers integrated solutions that are sold and serviced jointly with key partners including Hewlett-Packard Company, 
Crossbeam Systems Inc. and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Different client products run on different client 
Operating Systems (OS), such as Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Apple iOS, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Linux and Android.  

Technologies  

We have developed and acquired a variety of technologies that secure networks, endpoints and information.  

•

•

•

  Stateful Inspection technology – Our patented Stateful Inspection technology is a premier network security technology. In 
order to provide accurate and highly efficient traffic inspection, Stateful Inspection extracts and maintains extensive “state 
information,” i.e., data that provide context for future screening decisions, from all relevant communication layers. Stateful 
Inspection runs on a network gateway or an endpoint, such as a PC, and enables our products to inspect network traffic at 
high speed. Our Stateful Inspection technology can be adapted to new protocols, software applications and security threats. 
It can be run on a wide range of operating systems. 

  Application Intelligence – Application Intelligence provides a set of advanced capabilities that prevents the exploitation of 
vulnerabilities in business applications, including vulnerabilities in the application code, communication protocols and the 
underlying operating system. 

  Security Management Architecture (SMART) – SMART is a core component of our unified security architecture. It enables 
our customers to configure and manage security policies from a central administrative point. This technology enables the 
definition and ongoing management of security policies for enterprises of all sizes. This object-oriented architecture maps 
real-world entities, such as networks and users, to graphical representations that can be manipulated in a database. 
Integrated monitoring and reporting tools improve the manageability of the system by providing administrators with real-
time information on the state of network and security systems. These tools also provide longer term trending information 
that is useful for periodic security management tasks, such as security audits. 

•

  Security and Network Traffic Enforcement – Our Security and Network Traffic Enforcement is based on our Stateful 

Inspection technology, which allows for dynamic packet-filtering by using our INSPECT Engine to extract state-related 
information from all applications and evaluate subsequent network connection based on this extracted information to 
enable better security decisions. To extract the state-related information, our INSPECT engine scans all incoming and 
outgoing traffic at security enforcement points. These are typically located at the network perimeter as security gateways, 
on critical servers, or inside the network, dividing the network into separate segments. We have developed a broad range of 
technologies that can be implemented by our INSPECT engine. 

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For example, Stateful Inspection firewalls provide a security measure against port scanning, by closing all ports until the 
specific port is requested. In addition, third party technologies can be implemented through our Open Platform for Security 
(OPSEC) framework.  

•

  Check Point ThreatCloud – ThreatCloud provides a dynamic, innovative global network of threat sensors, which invites 

organizations to share threat data and collaborate in the fight against modern malware. Customers can choose to collaborate
by feeding ThreatCloud their own threat data and can receive incoming protection updates through their security gateways 
with enriched threat intelligence. When new bots or malware threats are identified on an organization’s network, the 
malware identifier – such as the IP address, URL or DNS – is sent to the ThreatCloud and an update is distributed to their 
peers and customers around the world in a matter of seconds. ThreatCloud also includes other sources of threat data from 
the company’s install base of security gateways, Check Point research, and industry malware feeds. 

•

  Secure Platform GAiA – Check Point GAiATM is the unified cutting-edge secure operating system for all Check Point 

Appliances, open servers and virtualized gateways. GAiA combines the best features from IPSO and Secure Platform into 
a single unified OS providing greater efficiency and robust performance. With the support of the full suite of Software 
Blades, customers will benefit from improved connection capacity and the full breadth and power of Check Point security 
technologies by adopting GAiA. 

•

  Check Point HyperSpect™ – Introduced in 2013 with R77, HyperSpect is an intelligent, adaptive content inspection engine 

maximizes hardware utilization through a wide spectrum of optimizations and accelerations, including hyper threading 
technologies. Through HyperSpect™, organizations will experience significantly higher performance, including up to 50% 
real-world performance boost on all high-end platforms. 

•

  ClusterXL – ClusterXL provides high availability and load sharing to keep businesses running. It distributes traffic between 

clusters of redundant gateways so that the computing capacity of multiple machines may be combined to increase total 
throughput. If an individual gateway becomes unreachable, all connections are redirected to a designated backup without 
interruption. 

•

•

  CoreXL – CoreXL enables the intelligent balancing of security traffic loads between multiple cores on multi-core 

processors. It results in a higher level of performance for integrated intrusion prevention. 

  SecureXL – SecureXL is a framework of software and hardware technologies, including third-party technologies that is 

designed to increase performance. By using SecureXL, hardware vendors can accelerate the performance of appliances on 
which our software is installed. With SecureXL, our products can be integrated into high-performance networks typically 
found in large enterprises and service providers. 

•

  TrueVector – TrueVector is a patented, flexible and efficient software technology for enabling high-performance, scalable 

and robust Internet security of PCs. TrueVector stops attempts to send confidential data to unauthorized parties by 
malicious software, such as keystroke loggers and Trojan horses. It monitors all applications running on protected 
computers, allowing trusted applications to engage in network communications, while blocking network connections by 
untrusted applications. 

•

  Full Disk Encryption Secure Pre-Boot Environment – Full Disk Encryption (FDE) Secure Pre-Boot Environment (PBE) is 

a secure, proprietary operating program. PBE, along with FDE’s access 

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control and authentication architecture and Multi-Factor Authentication Engine (MFAE), encrypts all information stored 
on a PC’s hard disk, i.e., delivers full-disk encryption. The full-disk encryption technology protects every sector of the 
computer’s hard drive, including the operating system files. This prevents successful attacks on the OS and attacks to gain 
access to sensitive data on the drive.  

•

  Hybrid Detection Engine (HDE) – HDE utilizes multiple detection and analysis techniques to detect hostile or suspicious 

traffic and is a key component of the IPS Software Blade. These techniques include the following: signature-based 
methods to detect known patterns of attacks targeted at the network and at vulnerabilities within the network; protocol 
analysis to validate that the traffic construct meets the expected standards; anomaly detection to identify instances where 
network traffic exhibits abnormal characteristics; OS fingerprinting to determine the OS type of the traffic destination, 
which ensures proper receipt and processing; multi-element correlation to detect widespread illicit activity launched from 
the same source address; dynamic worm mitigation whereby rapidly proliferating worms are detected and automatically 
blocked from spreading within the network; as well as other techniques to deliver comprehensive network protection. 

•

  Intrusion Prevention with Confidence Indexing – Confidence Indexing reduces the occurrence of false positives by 

enabling a more granular prevention policy, which allows exploits to be blocked, without the concern of blocking critical 
business traffic. To accomplish this task, the IPS Software Blade determines a level of confidence that a certain traffic flow 
is an attack. This analysis uses several data points for every network traffic flow. 

•

  SSL Inspection – SSL Inspection scans and secures SSL encrypted traffic passing through the gateway. When traffic is 
passed through, the gateway decrypts the traffic with the sender’s public key, inspects and protects, then re-encrypts, 
sending the newly encrypted content to the receiver. 

•

  Mobile Access Technologies – Our Mobile Access Technologies are a set of technologies that include a Web Portal, 

endpoint compliance checks, a Secure Workspace, DynamicIDTM SMS authentication and client applications that provide 
enterprise-grade remote access via both Layer-3 VPN and SSL VPN to email, calendar, contacts and corporate applications 
over the Internet with Smartphones, tablets or PCs. 

•

  Open Platform for Security (OPSEC) – Our OPSEC framework provides a single platform that enables the integration and 
interoperability of multi-vendor information security products and technologies. The OPSEC framework allows certified 
third-party security applications to plug into our solutions through our published application programming interfaces. 
Products that carry the OPSEC Certified seal have been tested and certified for integration and interoperability within the 
OPSEC framework. 

33 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues by Category of Activity  

The following table presents our revenues for the last three fiscal years by category of activity:  

Category of Activity: 
Products and licenses 
Subscriptions 
Software updates and maintenance
Total revenues 

2011

Year Ended December 31,
2012
(in thousands)

2013

$ 503,475    
105,790    
637,721    
$1,246,986    

$ 505,280    
162,931    
674,484    
$1,342,695    

$ 504,576  
  209,442  
  680,087  
$1,394,105  

Our revenues for the last three fiscal years by geographic area are set out in “Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and 

Prospects” under the caption “Overview.”  

Sales and Marketing  

We sell through a wide network of channel partners, including distributors, resellers, value-added resellers, system integrators 
and managed services providers. Our agreements with these channel partners are non-exclusive. Although we work directly with our 
customers in pre-sales, almost all of our enterprise sales are to our channel partners and not directly to our end users. Most of our 
sales to the consumer market are either direct, via our Web sites or through retail stores.  

We use various marketing activities and tools to increase awareness and knowledge of our products and to promote sales. These 

include our corporate Web sites, seminars and tradeshows that we organize and participate in, print media and online advertising, 
online search optimization and telemarketing campaigns. In addition, in order to encourage trials of our products, we provide current 
and prospective customers with limited-in-time software evaluation licenses. We have strategic relationships with various hardware 
and software partners, including vendors providing server, workstation, appliance and networking products. These include Crossbeam 
Systems Inc., Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM, Microsoft Corporation, Siemens AG and Fujitsu.  

As of December 31, 2013, we had 1,158 employees dedicated to sales and marketing.  

Support and Services  

We operate a worldwide technical services organization which provides a wide range of services including the following: 
(i) technical customer support programs and plans, as well as (ii) certification and educational training on Check Point products; and 
(iii) professional services in implementing, upgrading and optimizing Check Point products, such as design planning and security 
implementation.  

Our technical assistance centers in the United States, Israel, Canada and Japan offer support worldwide, 24-hour service, seven 

days per week. There are employees in additional locations supporting our call centers, as well as call centers operated by third parties 
(for consumer support only). As of December 31, 2013, we had 436 employees dedicated to customer service and support.  

34 

  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
Our support solutions include both indirect and direct offerings. Channel partners provide customers with installation, training, 

maintenance and support, while we provide our high-level technical support to our channel partners. Alternatively, our customers may 
elect to receive support directly from us. As part of our pre-sale support to our channel partners, we employ technical consultants and 
systems engineers who work closely with our channel partners to assist them with pre-sale configuration, use and application support. 
In addition, because of the increased demand for our portfolio of security gateway appliances, from small office locations to telco 
grade and capacity infrastructure platforms, we have expanded our technical support offerings around the world. This includes same 
and next business day replacements, on-site support availability and device pre-configuration. We have also added new ThreatCloud 
Managed Security Services and Incident Response. These new services are focused on helping our partners and customers maximize 
the effectiveness of advanced protections and mitigate and remediate critical security events quickly.  

Research and Product Development  

We believe that our future success will depend upon our ability to enhance our existing products, and to develop, acquire and 

introduce new products to address the increasingly sophisticated needs of our customers. We work closely with existing and potential 
customers, distribution channels and major resellers, who provide significant feedback for product development and innovation. Our 
product development efforts are focused on providing a unified security architecture, named the Check Point Software Blade 
Architecture, that functions throughout all layers of the network and devices that carry data. This includes enhancements to our 
current family of products and the continued development of new products to respond to the rapidly changing threat landscape 
through the provision of services, such as network perimeter protections, protection against cyber-threats, data protection for today’s 
mobile environments, web security and security for managed enterprise endpoints. Our technology also centrally manages all of these 
layers and solutions. We develop most of our new products internally and also expect to leverage the products and technologies we 
have acquired. We may decide, based upon timing and cost considerations that it would be more efficient to acquire or license certain 
technologies or products from third parties, or to make acquisitions of other businesses. Research and development expenses were 
$110.1 million in 2011, $111.9 million in 2012 and $121.8 million in 2013. These amounts include stock-based compensation in the 
amount of $7.5 million in 2011, $8.6 million in 2012 and $9.0 million in 2013. As of December 31, 2013, we had 1,055 employees 
dedicated to research and development activities and quality assurance.  

Competition  

Information concerning competition is provided in “Item 3 – Key Information” under the caption “Risk Factors – Risks Relating 

to Our Business and Our Market – We may not be able to successfully compete.”  

Proprietary Rights  

We rely on a combination of copyright and trademark laws, patents, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual 
provisions to protect our proprietary rights. We rely on trade secret, copyright laws and patents to protect our software, documentation 
and other written materials. These laws provide only limited protection. Further, we generally enter into confidentiality agreements 
with employees, consultants, customers and potential customers, and limit access and distribution of materials and information that 
we consider proprietary.  

We have over 34 U.S. patents, over 19 U.S. patents pending, and additional patents issued and patent applications pending 

worldwide. Our efforts to protect our patent rights and other proprietary rights may not be adequate and our competitors may 
independently develop technology that is similar. Additional details are provided in “Item 3 – Key Information” under the caption 
“Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business and Our Market – We may not be able to successfully protect our intellectual property 
rights.”  

35 

  
Effect of Government Regulation on our Business  

Information concerning regulation is provided in “Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Products” under the caption 
“Taxes on income” and in “Item 10 – Additional Information” under the caption “Israeli taxation, foreign exchange regulation and 
investment programs.”  

Organizational Structure  

We are organized under the laws of the State of Israel. We wholly own the subsidiaries listed below, directly or through other 

subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified in the footnotes below:  

NAME OF SUBSIDIARY
Check Point Software Technologies, Inc.
Check Point Software (Canada) Technologies Inc.
Check Point Software Technologies (Japan) Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies (Netherlands) B.V.
Check Point Holding (Singapore) PTE Ltd.
Check Point Holding (Singapore) PTE Ltd. (Representative Office)
Check Point Holding (Singapore) PTE Ltd. – U.S. Branch (1)
Israel Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. China (2)
Check Point Holding AB (3)
SofaWare Technologies Ltd.
Dynasec Ltd.

  COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION
  United States of America (Delaware)
  Canada
  Japan
  Netherlands
  Singapore
  Indonesia
  United States of America (New York)
  China
  Sweden
  Israel
  Israel

(1) Branch of Check Point Holding (Singapore) PTE Ltd. 
(2) Representative office of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 
(3) Subsidiary of Check Point Holding (Singapore) PTE Ltd. (former name: Protect Data AB) 

36 

  
  
 
Check Point Software Technologies (Netherlands) B.V. acts as a holding company. It wholly owns the principal operating 

subsidiaries listed below, unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below:  

NAME OF SUBSIDIARY
Check Point Software Technologies S.A.
Check Point Software Technologies (Australia) PTY Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies (Austria) GmbH
Check Point Software Technologies (Belarus) LLC
Check Point Software Technologies (Belgium) S.A.
Check Point Software Technologies (Brazil) LTDA
Check Point Software Technologies (Hong Kong) Ltd. (Guangzhou office) (1)
Check Point Software Technologies (Hong Kong) Ltd. (Shanghai office) (1)
Check Point Software Technologies (Czech Republic) s.r.o.
Check Point Software Technologies (Denmark) ApS
Check Point Software Technologies (Finland) Oy
Check Point Software Technologies SARL
Check Point Software Technologies GmbH
Check Point Software Technologies (Greece) SA
Check Point Software Technologies (Hungary) Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies (India) Private Limited
Check Point Software Technologies (Italia) Srl (2)
Check Point Software Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Check Point Software Technologies B.V.
Check Point Software Technologies Norway A.S.
Check Point Software Technologies (Poland) Sp.z.o.o.
CPST (Portugal), Sociedade Unipessoal Lda.
Check Point Software Technologies (RMN) SRL.
Check Point Software Technologies (Russia) OOO
Check Point Software Technologies (Korea) Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies (Spain) S.A.
Check Point Software Technologies (Switzerland) A.G.
Check Point Software Technologies (Taiwan) Ltd.
Check Point Yazilim Teknolojileri Pazarlama A.S. (3)
Check Point Software Technologies (UK) Ltd.

COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Brazil
China
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Hong Kong
India
Italy
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
S. Korea
Spain
Switzerland
Taiwan
Turkey
United Kingdom

(1) Representative office of Check Point Software Technologies (Hong Kong) Ltd. 
(2) 97% owned by Check Point Software Technologies (Netherlands) B.V. and 3% owned by Check Point Software Technologies 

Ltd. 

(3) 96% owned by Check Point Software Technologies (Netherlands) B.V., 1% owned by Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 
and 3% owned in trust by the directors of Check Point Yazilim Teknolojileri Pazarlama A.S. on behalf of Check Point Software 
Technologies (Netherlands) B.V. 

37 

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Check Point Holding AB wholly owns the subsidiaries listed below, directly or through other subsidiaries:  

NAME OF SUBSIDIARY
Check Point Software Technologies (Sweden) AB
Pointsec Norway AS
Reflex Software Ltd. (Jersey)
Reflex Magnetics Ltd. (1)
Reflex Software Luxembourg SARL (1)

COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION
Sweden
Norway
Jersey
United Kingdom
Luxembourg

(1) The company is dormant. 

Check Point Software Technologies Inc. wholly owns the subsidiaries listed below:  

NAME OF SUBSIDIARY
Pointsec Mobile Technologies, LLC.
NFR Security, Inc.
Zone Labs, L.L.C.
Liquid Machines Inc.

  COUNTRY OF INCORPORATION
  United States of America (California)
  United States of America (Delaware)
  United States of America (California)
  United States of America (Delaware)

Property and Equipment  

Our international headquarters are located in Tel Aviv, Israel. We occupy our headquarters pursuant to a long-term lease with 
the City of Tel Aviv – Jaffa, which expires in August 2059. We made a prepayment for the entire term upon entering into this lease 
and we are not required to make any additional payments under the lease. Our international headquarters building currently contains 
approximately 150,000 square feet of office space and we leased approximately 52,000 square feet of additional space. Our 
international headquarters building is used mainly for research and development as well as all other supporting functions. We also 
acquired the rights to construct an additional building with approximately 140,000 square feet, which we began planning in 2011.  

We lease 91,310 square feet in various locations in the United States. Examples of principal office locations in the U.S. are as 

follows:  

Location
San Carlos, California 
Irving, Texas 
New York, New York 

Primary Usage
U.S. Headquarters
Technical support, education and professional services  
Sales

Space (square feet)
40,265
24,807
6,787

38 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Outside of Israel and the U.S., we lease offices in various locations throughout the world. Our primary locations are forth below: 

Location
Europe
Asia and Japan
Canada

Primary Usage
Sales, research and development  
Sales
Sales and technical services

Space (square feet)
37,415
16,830
16,963

Principal Capital Expenditures and Divestitures  

For more information regarding our principal capital expenditures currently in progress, see “Item 5 – Operating and Financial 
Review and Prospects” under the caption “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”  

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

None.  

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 

The following discussion and analysis is based on our consolidated financial statements including the related notes, and should 

be read in conjunction with them. Our consolidated financial statements are provided in “Item 18 – Financial Statements”.  

Overview  

We develop, market and support a wide range of products and services for IT security and offer our customers an extensive 

portfolio of network and gateway security solutions, data and endpoint security solutions and management solutions. Our solutions 
operate under a unified security architecture that enables end-to-end security with a single line of unified security gateways and allow 
a single agent for all endpoint security that can be managed from a single unified management console. This unified management 
allows for ease of deployment and centralized control and is supported by, and reinforced with, real-time security updates. Our 
products and services are sold to enterprises, service providers, small and medium sized businesses and consumers. Our open 
platform framework allows customers to extend the capabilities of our products and services with third-party hardware and security 
software applications. Our products are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of channel partners worldwide.  

Our business is subject to the effects of general global economic conditions and, in particular, market conditions in the IT, 
Internet security and data security industries. If general economic and industry conditions deteriorate, demand for our products could 
be adversely affected.  

39 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
We derive our sales primarily through indirect channels. During 2011, 2012 and 2013, we derived approximately 58%, 55% and 

56%, respectively of our sales from our ten largest channel partners. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, each of our two distributors accounted 
for approximately 17%, 16% and 15% of our sales, respectively. The following table presents the percentage of total consolidated 
revenues that we derive from sales in each of the regions shown:  

Year Ended December 31,
2012 

2011

2013 

Region: 
Americas, principally U.S.
Europe 
Asia, Middle East and Africa

45% 
39% 
16% 

45%   
37%   
18%   

  46% 
  37% 
  17% 

For information on the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, please refer to “Item 11 – Quantitative and Qualitative 

Disclosures about Market Risk – Foreign Currency Risk.”  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates  

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These accounting principles require us to 

make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions that we make are 
reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions were made. These 
estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial 
statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material 
differences between these estimates, judgments or assumptions and actual results, our consolidated financial statements will be 
affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates, judgments and assumptions and which we believe are the 
most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, include the following:  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

  Revenue recognition (including sales reserves), 

  Goodwill, 

  Realizability of long-lived assets (including intangible assets), 

  Accounting for income taxes, 

  Equity-based compensation expense, 

  Allowances for doubtful accounts, 

  Derivative and hedge accounting, and 

  Impairment of marketable securities. 

In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by U.S. GAAP and does not require 

management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting among available 
alternatives would not produce a materially different result. Our senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies 
and related disclosures with the audit committee of our board of directors. You can see a summary of our significant accounting 
policies in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, as set forth in Item 18.  

40 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue recognition  

We derive our revenues mainly from sales of products and licenses, subscriptions and software updates and maintenance. Our 

products are generally integrated with software that is essential to the functionality of the product. We sell our products primarily 
through channel partners including distributors, resellers, OEMs, system integrators and MSPs, all of whom are considered end users. 

Subscriptions include other security solutions and are sold as a service or annuity.  

Software updates and maintenance provide customers with rights to unspecified software product upgrades released during the 

term of the agreement and include multiple services to customers, primarily telephone access to technical support personnel and 
hardware support services.  

We recognize revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product or software license has been delivered, 

the amounts are fixed or determinable and collection of the amount is considered probable. Revenues from subscriptions and from 
software updates and maintenance are recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. Revenues for arrangements with payment 
terms extending beyond customary payment terms are considered not to be fixed or determinable, in which case revenue is deferred 
and recognized when payments become due, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.  

We apply the guidance of ASU 2009-14, Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements (“ASU 2009-14”) and ASU 
2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-14 removes tangible products from the scope of 
software revenue guidance and provides guidance on determining whether software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a 
tangible product are covered by the scope of the software revenue guidance. ASU 2009-13 requires entities to allocate revenue in an 
arrangement using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for 
a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not 
available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE or TPE is available. Our products and services generally qualify as 
separate units of accounting. As such revenues from multiple element arrangement that include products, subscriptions and software 
updates and maintenance are separated into their various elements using the relative selling price method based on either VSOE or 
ESP, as described below.  

For products, we determined the fair value based on ESP by reviewing historical transactions, and considering several other 

external and internal factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices.  

We established VSOE of fair value for subscriptions and for software updates and maintenance based on the renewal prices 

charged for such services.  

We apply software revenue recognition guidance, ASC 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition”, to all software arrangements 

where software element is not essential to the functionality of the tangible product. As required by ASC 985-605, we determined the 
value of the delivered elements of multiple-element arrangements using the residual method when VSOE of fair value exists for the 
undelivered elements. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of 
the arrangement fee is allocated to the delivered elements and is recognized when the appropriate criteria is met.  

Deferred revenues represent mainly the unrecognized revenue billed for subscriptions and for software updates and 

maintenance. Such revenues are recognized ratably over the term of the related agreement.  

We recognize revenues net of estimated amounts that may be refunded for sales returns, rebate arrangements with customers and 

for our distributors’ right to rotate our products, subject to varying  

41 

  
limitations. We estimate and record these reductions based on our historical sales returns, analysis of credit memo data, stock rotation 
and other known factors. In each accounting period, we use judgments and estimates of potential future sales credits, returns and 
stock rotation, related to current period revenue. These estimates affect our “revenue” line item on our consolidated statements of 
income and affect our “accounts receivable, net” and our “deferred revenues” on our consolidated balance sheets.  

Goodwill  

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of acquisition over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable 

intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. We have one operating segment, and this segment comprises our only reporting 
unit.  

We review goodwill for impairment annually on December 31 of each fiscal year and whenever events or changes in 

circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and other”. 
ASC 350 allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative 
goodwill impairment test. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on 
a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. Alternatively, ASC 350 
permits an entity to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed directly to performing the first step of the 
goodwill impairment test. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. In 
such cases, we then calculate the goodwill’s implied fair value by performing a hypothetical allocation of the reporting unit’s fair 
value to the underlying assets and liabilities, with the residual being the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation process 
involves using significant estimates, including estimates of future cash flows, future short-term and long-term growth rates, weighted 
average cost of capital and assumptions about the future deployment of the long-lived assets of the reporting unit. Other factors we 
consider are the brand awareness and the market position of the reporting unit and assumptions about the period of time we will 
continue to use the brand in our product portfolio. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be 
required to record impairment charges for our goodwill.  

Our most recent annual goodwill impairment analysis, which was performed during 2013, did not result in impairment. As of 

December 31, 2013, the market capitalization of the Company was significantly higher than the equity book value.  

Realizability of long-lived assets (including intangible assets)  

We are required to assess the impairment of tangible and intangible long-lived assets subject to amortization, under ASC 360 

“Property, Plant and Equipment”, on a periodic basis, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may 
not be recoverable. Impairment indicators include any significant changes in the manner of our use of the assets or the strategy of our 
overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends and significant decline in our share price for a sustained period.  

Upon determination that the carrying value of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable based upon a comparison of aggregate 
undiscounted projected future cash flows from the use of the asset or asset group to the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment 
charge is recorded for the excess of carrying amount over the fair value. We measure fair value using discounted projected future cash 
flows. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently 
uncertain. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for 
our tangible and intangible long-lived assets subject to amortization. No impairment charges were recognized during 2011, 2012 and 
2013.  

42 

  
Accounting for income tax  

We are subject to income taxes in Israel, the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in 
evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Based on the guidance in ASC 740 “Income 
Taxes”, we use a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position 
for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be 
sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit 
as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  

Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final tax 

outcome of these matters will not be different. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the 
closing of a tax audit, the refinement of an estimate or changes in tax laws. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is 
different than the amounts recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such 
determination is made. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are 
considered appropriate, as well as the related interest.  

Accounting for tax positions requires judgments, including estimating reserves for potential uncertainties. We have considered 
future reversal of existing temporary differences in determining the need for a valuation allowance. We record valuation allowances 
for deferred tax assets that we believe are not more likely than not to be realized in future periods. While we believe the resulting tax 
balances as of December 31, 2012 and 2013 are appropriately accounted for, the ultimate outcome of such matters could result in 
favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our consolidated financial statements and such adjustments could be material. See Note 11 to 
our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding income taxes. We have filed or are in the process of filing 
local and foreign tax returns that are subject to audit by the respective tax authorities. The amount of income tax we pay is subject to 
ongoing audits by the tax authorities, which often result in proposed assessments. We believe that we have adequately provided for 
any reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to tax audits and settlements. However, our future results may include favorable or 
unfavorable adjustments to our estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved, audits are closed or when 
statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. See: “Item 3 – Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Business 
and Our Market”.  

Equity-based compensation expense  

We account for equity-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” Under the fair 

value based measurement approach of this statement, stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair 
value of the award and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods. Determining the fair value of stock-based 
awards at the grant date as well as the determination of the amount of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited requires the 
exercise of judgment. If actual forfeitures differ from our estimates, equity-based compensation expense and our results of operations 
would be impacted. Performance restricted share units are subject to certain performance criteria. We recognized compensation 
expense for such awards when we determine it is probable that the related performance condition will be satisfied.  

We estimate the fair value of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation 

model. The fair value of an award is affected by our stock price on the date of grant as well as other assumptions, including the 
estimated volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the awards, and the estimated period of time that we expect 
employees to hold their stock options. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon United States treasury interest rates 
appropriate for the  

43 

  
expected life of the awards. We use the historical volatility of our publicly traded shares in order to estimate future stock price trends. 
In order to determine the estimated period of time that we expect employees to hold their stock options, we use historical exercise 
rates of employee groups by job classification. Our expected dividend rate is zero since we do not currently pay cash dividends on our 
common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. We base the fair value of restricted stock units on the market 
value of the underlying shares at the date of grant.  

Allowance for doubtful accounts  

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for losses that may result from the failure of our channel partners to make 

required payments. We estimate this allowance based on our judgment as to our ability to collect outstanding receivables. We form 
this judgment based on factors that may affect a customers’ ability to pay, such as age of the receivable balance and past experience. 
If the financial condition of our channel partners were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, we would need to 
increase the allowance for doubtful accounts.  

Derivative and Hedge Accounting  

Approximately 59% to 61% of our operating expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars or linked to the U.S. dollar. In 2012 and 

2013, we entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a significant portion of our foreign currency net exposure resulting 
from expenses denominated in major foreign currencies in which we operate, in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency on our 
results. We also entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on balance 
sheet items, specifically for the Israeli Shekel.  

The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been 

designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative 
instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the 
exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. If the derivatives 
meet the definition of a hedge and are so designated, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of such 
derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through 
earnings, or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a 
derivative’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings. We estimate the fair value of such derivative contracts based on forward 
and spot rates quoted in active markets.  

Establishing and accounting for foreign exchange contracts involve judgments, such as determining the fair value of the 
contracts, determining the nature of the exposure, assessing its amount and timing, and evaluating the effectiveness of the hedging 
arrangement.  

Although we believe that our estimates are accurate and meet the requirement of hedge accounting, actual results could differ 

from these estimates, and such difference could cause fluctuation in our recorded operating expenses.  

44 

  
Impairment of Marketable Securities  

All marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale securities. We assess our available-for-sale marketable securities on 
a regular basis for other-than-temporary impairment. Pursuant to the accounting guidance in ASC 320 “Investments- Debt and Equity 
Securities”, if we have a security with a fair value less than its amortized cost and we intend to sell the security or it is more likely 
than not we will be required to sell the security before it recovers, an other-than temporary impairment has occurred and we must 
record the entire amount of the impairment in earnings. If we do not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not we will 
be required to sell the security before it recovers in value, we must estimate the net present value of cash flows expected to be 
collected. If the amortized cost exceeds the net present value of cash flows, such excess is considered a credit loss and an other-than-
temporary impairment has occurred. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and the residual portion of the other-than-
temporary impairment is recorded in other comprehensive income. The determination of credit losses requires significant judgment 
and actual results may be materially different than our estimate. We consider the likely reason for the decline in value, the period of 
time the fair value was below amortized cost, changes in and performance of the underlying collateral, the ability of the issuer to meet 
payment obligations, changes in ratings and market trends and conditions.  

Securities which are not valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable 

inputs are valued based on an externally developed valuation using discounted cash flow models, whose inputs include interest rate 
curves, credit spreads, bond prices, volatilities and illiquidity considerations and/or existing market pricing. Unobservable inputs used 
in these models are significant to the fair value of the investments.  

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we recognized a gain of $2.0 million from sales of marketable securities that were 

previously impaired. In 2012, no other-than-temporary impairment was recorded. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we 
recognized a gain of $0.9 million from sales of marketable securities that were previously impaired.  

45 

  
Results of Operations  

The following table presents information concerning our results of operations in 2011, 2012 and 2013:  

Revenues: 

Products and licenses 
Subscriptions 
Software updates and maintenance 

Total revenues 
Operating expenses(*): 

Cost of products and licenses
Cost of subscriptions 
Cost of software updates and maintenance 
Amortization of technology
Total cost of revenues 
Research and development
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative

Total operating expenses 
Operating income 
Financial income, net 
Gain on sale of marketable securities previously impaired   
Income before taxes on income
Taxes on income 
Net income 

2011

Year Ended December 31,
2012
(in thousands)

2013

$ 503,475    
105,790    
637,721    
1,246,986    

$ 505,280    
162,931    
674,484    
1,342,695    

81,043    
11,732    
51,737    
31,171    
175,683    
110,147    
253,800    
65,182    
604,812    
642,174    
39,023    
2,017    
683,214    
139,248    
$ 543,966    

87,097    
6,296    
61,786    
3,982    
159,161    
111,911    
255,345    
69,743    
596,160    
746,535    
40,332    
—      
786,867    
166,867    
$ 620,000    

$ 504,576  
  209,442  
  680,087  
  1,394,105  

88,862  
5,480  
67,680  
612  
  162,634  
  121,764  
  276,067  
72,735  
  633,200  
  760,905  
34,003  
928  
  795,836  
  143,036  
$ 652,800  

(*)

Including pre-tax charges for amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation in the following items: 

Amortization of intangible assets Selling and marketing
Stock-based compensation 

Cost of products and licenses
Cost of software updates and maintenance 
Research and development
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative

46 

$12,754    

$ 3,046    

$ 2,408  

$

58    
909    
7,471    
7,888    
23,509    

$

68    
761    
  8,594    
  9,677    
  26,187    

$

77  
971  
  9,001  
  11,193  
  29,870  

  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents information concerning our results of operations as a percentage of revenues for the periods 

indicated:  

Year Ended December 31,
2012  

2011

2013  

Revenues: 

Products and licenses 
Subscriptions 
Software updates and maintenance 

Total revenues 
Operating expenses: 

Cost of products and licenses
Subscriptions 
Cost of software updates and maintenance 
Amortization of technology
Total cost of revenues 
Research and development
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative

Total operating expenses 
Operating income 
Financial income, net 
Net gain on sale of marketable securities previously impaired .
Income before taxes on income
Taxes on income 
Net income 

40% 
9  
51  
100% 

6  
1  
5  
2  
14  
9  
21  
5  
49  
51  
3  
   —    
54  
10  
44% 

  38%  
  12  
  50  
  100%   

6  
  —    
5  
1  
  12  
8  
  19  
5  
  44  
  56  
3  
  —    
  59  
  13  
  46%   

  36% 
  15  
  49  
  100% 

6  
1  
4  
  —    
  11  
9  
  20  
5  
  45  
  55  
2  
  —    
  57  
  10  
  47% 

Revenues  

We derive our revenues mainly from the sale of products and licenses, subscriptions and software updates and maintenance. Our 

revenues were $1,247.0 million in 2011, $1,342.7 million in 2012 and $1,394.1 million in 2013.  

Total revenues in 2013 grew by 4% compared to 2012. Product and license revenues in 2013 were $504.6 million relative to 
$505.3 million in 2012. In 2013, product and license revenues as a percentage of total revenues were 36%, compared to 38% in 2012. 
Subscription revenues increased by $46.5 million, or 29%, from $162.9 million in 2012 to $209.4 million in 2013—primarily as a 
result of increasing sales of IPS, Application Control, URL Filtering and Antivirus security services. Software updates and 
maintenance revenues increased by $5.6 million, or 1%, from $674.5 million in 2012 to $680.1 million in 2013—primarily as a result 
of renewals of existing and new sales of maintenance contracts.  

Total revenues in 2012 grew by 8% compared to 2011. Product and license revenues increased from $503.5 million in 2011 to 

$505.3 million in 2012. In 2012, product and license revenues as a percentage of total revenues were 38%, compared to 40% in 2011. 
Subscriptions revenues increased by $57.1 million, or 54%, from $105.8 million in 2011 to $162.9 million in 2012—primarily as a 
result of increasing sales of IPS, Application Control and Antivirus security services. Software updates and maintenance revenues 
increased by $36.8 million, or 6%, from $637.7 million in 2011 to $674.5 million in 2012, primarily as a result of renewals of existing 
and new sales of maintenance contracts.  

47 

  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
Cost of Revenues  

Total cost of revenues was $175.7 million in 2011, $159.2 million in 2012 and $162.6 million in 2013. Cost of revenues 
includes cost of product and licenses, cost of subscriptions and cost of software updates and maintenance and amortization of 
technology. Our cost of products and licenses includes mainly cost of software and hardware production packaging and shipping. Our 
cost of subscriptions includes mainly license fees paid to third parties. Our cost of software updates and maintenance include mainly 
the cost of post-sale customer support.  

Cost of products and licenses was $81.0 million in 2011, $87.1 million in 2012 and $88.9 million in 2013, and represented 16% 

of products and licenses revenues in 2011, 17% in 2012 and 18% in 2013. The increase of $6.1 million in 2012 and $1.8 million in 
2013 cost of products and licenses was mainly due to the increase in volume of select security appliance products sold during these 
periods. 

Cost of subscriptions was $11.7 million in 2011, $6.3 million in 2012 and $5.5 million in 2013, and represented 11%, 4% and 
3% of subscription revenues in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. The reduction in these costs is attributable to the reduced cost of 
royalty payments.  

Cost of software updates and maintenance was $51.8 million in 2011, $61.8 million in 2012 and $67.7 million in 2013 and 
represented 8%, 9% and 10% of software updates and maintenance revenues in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. In 2013, the $5.9 
million increase in the cost of updates and maintenance was primarily the result of a $5.1 million increase in compensation expenses, 
which was primarily related to increase in headcount, from 364 at the end of 2012 to 436 at the end of 2013.  

In 2013, amortization of technology decreased by $3.4 million, to $0.6 million. In 2012, amortization of technology decreased 

by $27.2 million, to $4.0 million, as part of the technology acquired in prior years was fully amortized at the beginning of 2012.  

Research and Development  

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related expenses for personnel, as well as the cost of 
facilities and depreciation of capital equipment. Research and development expenses were $110.1 million in 2011, $111.9 in 2012 and 
$121.8 million in 2013, and represented 9% of revenues in 2011, 8% in 2012 and 9% in 2013. In 2013, there was an increase of $9.9 
million in research and development expenses compared to 2012. Of this increase, $3.3 million was related primarily to an increase in 
compensation expenses related to an increase in headcount, from 970 at the end of 2012 to 1,055 at the end of 2013. An increase of 
$5.0 million was caused by the impact of currency fluctuations on compensation expenses. This was in addition to an increase of $1.6 
million in overhead expenses. In 2012, there was an increase of $1.8 million in research and development expenses compared to 
2011. Of this increase, $5.0 million was related primarily to an increase in compensation expenses related to an increase in headcount, 
from 840 at the end of 2011 to 970 at the end of 2012 and $1.6 million in overhead expenses offset by a decrease of $4.7 million 
which was caused by the impact of currency fluctuations on compensation expenses.  

48 

  
The majority of our personnel engaged in research and development are located in Israel, where compensation-related expenses 
are paid in Israeli Shekels, and in Sweden, where compensation-related expenses are paid in Swedish Krona, while our research and 
development expenses are reported in U.S. dollars. Therefore, changes to the exchange rate between the Israeli Shekel and the U.S. 
dollar, and between the Swedish Krona and the U.S. dollar, have affected and may in the future affect our research and development 
expenses. Check Point establishes forward contracts to hedge against a certain portion of the exposure mentioned above.  

Selling and Marketing  

Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, commissions, advertising, trade shows, seminars, public relations, 
co-op activities with partners, travel and other related expenses. Selling and marketing expenses were $253.8 million in 2011, $255.3 
million in 2012 and $276.1 million in 2013, which represented 20% of revenues in 2011, 19% of the revenues in 2012 and 20% of the 
revenues in 2013. In 2013, there was an increase of $20.8 million. Of this increase, $17.7 million was primarily as a result of an 
increase in compensation committed to sales and marketing in addition to a $3.1 million increase caused by the impact of currency 
fluctuations on compensation expenses and overhead expenses.  

Our expenses in Israel, Europe, Canada and Australia, which primarily relate to compensation, travel, facilities and marketing, 

are paid in local currencies but are reported in U.S. dollars. Therefore, changes to the exchange rates between the local currencies and 
the U.S. dollar have affected, and may in the future affect, our expense level.  

In 2012, the weakening of the Canadian Dollar, Israeli Shekel and the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar, overall decreased 

compensation expenses by approximately $3.8 million compared to 2011.  

In 2013, the strengthening of the Israeli Shekel and the Euro and weakening of the Australian Dollar and the Canadian Dollar, 

compared to the U.S. dollar, overall decreased compensation expenses by approximately $1.2 million compared to 2012.  

General and Administrative  

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related expenses for personnel, professional fees, 
insurance costs, legal and other expenses. General and administrative expenses were $65.2 million in 2011, $69.7 million in 2012 and 
$72.7 million in 2013, and represented 5% of revenues in each of 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2013, there was an increase of $3.0 million 
in general and administrative expenses, which was primarily due to increase in expense relating to share-based compensation. In 
2012, there was an increase of $4.6 million of general and administrative expenses which was primary due to an increase in expense 
relating to share based compensation and the rest was due to legal accruals.  

49 

  
Operating Income Margin  

We had operating margins of 51% in 2011, 56% in 2012 and 55% in 2013.  

The decrease of 1 percent in operating margin from 2012 to 2013 was attributable primarily to the increase in compensation and 

increase in headcount for research and development, sales and marketing, and the strengthening of the Israeli Shekel and the Euro 
compared to U.S. dollar. This increased compensation expenses by approximately $4.5 million.  

The increase of 5 percent in operating margin from 2011 to 2012 was attributable primarily to the higher revenue growth, more 

than the growth of operating expenses, as we continued to control and leverage our expense structure. In addition, 2012 operating 
margin increased due to a decrease in amortization of intangible assets by $37 million and the weakening of the Canadian Dollar, 
Israeli Shekel and the Euro compared to U.S. dollar, which decreased compensation expenses by approximately $9.8 million.  

We may experience future fluctuations or declines in operating margins from historical levels due to several factors, as described 

above in “Item 3 – Key Information” under the caption “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business and Our Market – Our 
operating margins may decline.”  

Financial Income, Net  

Net financial income consists primarily of interest earned on cash equivalents and marketable securities. Net financial income 
was $39.0 million in 2011, $40.3 million in 2012 and $34.0 million in 2013. As we generally hold debt securities until maturity, our 
current portfolio’s yield is derived primarily from market interest rates and the yield of securities on the date of the investment. Since 
most of our investments are in U.S. dollars denominated securities, our net financial income is heavily dependent on prevailing U.S. 
interest rates. The increase in net financial income in 2011 and 2012 was primarily due to additional cash invested. The decrease in 
net financial income in 2013 was primarily due to lower interest rates for our cash equivalents and marketable securities.  

We review various factors in determining whether we should recognize an impairment charge for our marketable securities, 

including whether the Company intends to sell, or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell before 
recovery of the amortized cost basis of, such marketable securities, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less 
than its cost basis in such marketable securities, the credit ratings of such marketable securities, the nature of underlying collateral as 
applicable and the financial condition, expected cash flow and near-term prospects of the issuer. In evaluating when declines in fair 
value are other-than-temporary, we considered all available evidence, including market declines subsequent to the end of the period. 
We may recognize additional losses in the future should the prospects of the issuers of these securities continue to deteriorate. In 
2011, we recorded a gain in the amount of $2.0 million from sales of marketable securities that were previously impaired. In 2012, no 
other-than-temporary impairment was recorded. In 2013, we recorded a gain in the amount of $0.9 million from sales of marketable 
securities that were previously impaired.  

50 

  
Because interest rates in the U.S. are low in the first quarter of 2014 and we expect it not to significantly increase during 2014, 
we believe that this will result in a low portfolio yield in our investments in marketable securities in the near term. See also Item 3, 
“Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Our Market – Our cash balances and investment portfolio have been, and may 
continue to be, adversely affected by market conditions and interest rates”.  

Taxes on Income  

Total taxes on income were $139.2 million in 2011, $166.9 million in 2012 and $143.0 million in 2013. Our effective tax rate 

was 20% in 2011, 21% in 2012 and 18% in 2013. The lower effective rate in 2013 is primarily due to decrease in the Preferred 
Enterprise tax rates which the Company is subject to. Our effective tax rate is lower than the statutory tax rate in Israel, which 
changed from 24% in 2011 to 25% in 2012 and 2013. This is primarily due to the fact that we are subject to Israeli approved 
enterprise programs, under which a substantial portion of our income is subject to reduced tax rates rather than the statutory rates—
See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.  

Additional details are provided in “Item 10 – Additional Information” under the caption “Israeli taxation, foreign exchange 
regulation and investment programs” and “Item 3 – Key Information” under the caption “The tax benefits available to us require us to 
meet several conditions, and may be terminated or reduced in the future, which would increase our taxes.”  

Quarterly Results of Operations  

The following tables set forth certain unaudited quarterly consolidated statements of income data from the reports on Form 6-K 

that we furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the percentage of our revenues represented by each item. 
We prepare our unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited annual consolidated financial 
statements and include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that we consider necessary for a fair 
presentation of such information. You should read this information in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, 
including the related notes, appearing in “Item 18 – Financial Statements.”  

51 

  
Year Ended December 31, 2012

Year Ended December 31, 2013

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 $110,182    $123,155    $121,036    $150,907    $106,530    $120,762    $121,081    $156,203  
57,293  

37,587      38,535    

50,841      53,491    

41,994    

44,816    

47,817    

  165,347      166,959     169,326     172,851     168,383     168,570      169,555     173,579  
  313,116       328,649     332,356     368,574     322,730     340,172       344,127     387,075  

19,604       20,671    
1,054    

932      

20,606    
1,409    

26,216    
2,901    

18,849    
1,606    

20,916       21,727    
1,095    
1,240      

27,370  
1,539  

15,107       15,691    
536    
2,858      
38,501       37,952    
26,842       27,262    
59,099       65,815    
15,784       17,092    

17,226  
60  
46,195  
33,047  
74,974  
18,740  
   140,226       148,121     149,710     158,103     145,726     156,882       157,636     172,956  
  172,890       180,528     182,646     210,471     177,004     183,290       186,491     214,119  
9,383  

16,959       17,247    
60    
39,313       40,129    
29,369       30,034    
70,481       68,783    
17,719       18,690    

15,971    
294    
38,280    
28,517    
64,501    
18,412    

16,248    
294    
36,997    
29,314    
61,829    
17,586    

15,017    
294    
44,428    
29,290    
65,930    
18,455    

10,462      

10,452    

7,608      

9,098    

9,774    

9,644    

7,914    

198      

Revenues: 

Products and licenses 
Subscriptions 
Software updates and 

maintenance 

Total revenues 
Operating expenses: 

Cost of products and licenses 
Cost of subscriptions 
Cost of software updates and 

maintenance 

Amortization of technology 
Total cost of revenues 
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 

Total operating expenses (*) 
Operating income 
Financial income, net 
Net gain on sale of marketable 

securities previously impaired 
(**) 

Income before taxes on income 
Taxes on income 
Net Income 
Basic earnings per ordinary share    $
Shares used in computing basic 
earnings per ordinary share 
Diluted earnings per ordinary 

—      

—         —      

—    
   183,352       190,302     193,098     220,115     185,846     190,898       195,589     223,502  
29,372  
  $143,626     $149,981     $152,407     $173,986     $147,960     $151,008     $159,701     $194,130  
1.01  

39,726       40,321    

39,890       35,888    

—         —      

40,691    

46,129    

37,886    

0.75     $

0.73     $

0.87     $

0.75     $

0.77     $

0.82     $

0.70     $

—      

928    

  206,114       205,482     203,928     200,230     198,459     196,387       194,931     192,263  

share 

  $

0.68     $

0.71     $

0.73     $

0.85     $

0.73     $

0.76     $

0.80     $

0.99  

Shares used in computing diluted 
earnings per ordinary share 

  212,469       211,320     208,717     204,258     202,594     199,946       198,668     196,837  

(*)

Including pre-tax charges for amortization of intangible assets and stock-based compensation in the following items: 

Amortization of intangible assets: 
Selling and marketing 
Total 
Stock-based compensation 
Cost of products and licenses 
Cost of software updates and maintenance
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 

Year Ended December 31, 2012

Year Ended December 31, 2013

   Q1

  Q2

  Q3

  Q4

  Q1

     Q2

     Q3

  Q4

Unaudited
(in thousands)

   $1,146     $ 645     $ 628     $ 628     $ 628     $ 628     $ 602     $ 550  
   $1,146     $ 645     $ 628     $ 628     $ 628     $ 628     $ 602     $ 550  

   $

16     $
67    

22     $
238    

12     $
234    

17  
257  
     1,939     2,614     1,951     2,090     1,987       2,802       2,108     2,104  
     2,089     2,738     2,445     2,404     2,260       3,312       3,201     2,420  
     5,674     6,308     7,387     6,818     6,706       7,366       8,048     7,750  

18     $
199       249       266    

18     $
222    

19     $

23     $

(**) Including a gain of $ 0.9 million in the first quarter of 2013. 

52 

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
As a percentage of total revenues:  

Revenues: 

Products and licenses 
Subscriptions 
Software updates and maintenance

Total revenues 
Operating expenses: 

Cost of products and licenses 
Cost of subscriptions 
Cost of software updates and maintenance 
Amortization of technology 
Total cost of revenues 
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Total operating expenses 
Operating income 
Financial income, net 
Net gain on sale of marketable securities previously 

impaired 

Income before taxes on income 
Taxes on income 
Net Income 

Year Ended December 31,
2012

Year Ended December 31,
2013

   Q1  

  Q2  

  Q3  

  Q4  

  Q1  

  Q2  

  Q3  

  Q4  

  35% 
  12  
  53  
  100  

37% 
12  
51  
100  

36% 
13  
51  
100  

41% 
12  
47  
100  

  33%     36%     35% 
  15  
  52  
 100  

    16  
    49  
   100  

    15  
    49  
   100  

40% 
15  
45  
100  

6  

6  

7  
6  
1  
  —     —     —    
5  
4  
5  
1   —     —    
12  
11  
8  
9  
18  
19  
5  
6  
43  
45  
57  
55  
3  
3  

5  
1  
12  
9  
19  
5  
45  
55  
3  

12  
8  
20  
5  
45  
55  
3  

    6  
 —    
  5  
 —    
  11  
  9  
  19  
  5  
  45  
    55  
  2  

    6  
   —    
    5  
   —    
    11  
    9  
    21  
    5  
    46  
    54  
    2  

7  
    7  
   —     —    
    5  
5  
   —     —    
12  
    12  
    9  
9  
19  
    20  
    5  
5  
45  
    46  
55  
    54  
3  
    3  

  —     —     —     —    
60  
13  
47%     46%     44%     47%  

   —     —    
58  
    57  
8  
    10  
50% 

   —    
    56  
    12  

 —    
    58  
  12  

58  
12  
46%  

58  
12  
46%  

58  
12  
46%  

Our future revenues and operating results are uncertain and may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and from year to year due to 
several factors, as described above in “Item 3 – Key Information” under the caption “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business 
and Our Market – Our quarterly operating results are likely to fluctuate, which could cause us to miss expectations about these results 
and cause the trading price of our ordinary shares to decline.”  

Historically, our revenues have reflected seasonal fluctuations related to the year-end purchasing cycles of many users of our 

products. We believe that we will continue to encounter seasonality for the foreseeable future.  

Our expense levels are based, in part, on expectations as to future revenues. If our revenue levels are below expectations, our 

operating results are likely to be adversely affected, since most of our expenses are not variable. As a result, we believe that 
period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications 
of future performance. Due to the above, it is likely that in some future quarters, our operating results may be below the expectations 
of public market analysts and investors. In this event, the price of our ordinary shares would likely decline significantly.  

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Liquidity and Capital Resources  

During 2011, 2012 and 2013, we financed our operations through cash generated from operations. Our total cash and cash 
equivalents, short-term investments and long-term interest bearing investments, were $3,295.4 million as of December 31, 2012 and 
$3,629.9 million as of December 31, 2013. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $1,503.3 million as of 
December 31, 2012 and $1,166.8 million as of December 31, 2013. Our long-term interest bearing investments were $1,792.0 million 
as of December 31, 2012 and $2,463.1 million as of December 31, 2013. We have a wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore that serves 
as a vehicle for a significant portion of our international investments and manages those financial assets. The remaining financial 
assets are held and managed through our subsidiary in the U.S. and through the parent company in Israel.  

We generated net cash from operations of $743.0 million in 2011, $849.5 million in 2012 and $811.3 million in 2013. Net cash 

from operations for 2011, 2012 and 2013 consisted primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash activity including stock-based 
compensation expenses, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets plus an increase in deferred revenue and accrued expenses and 
an increase in trade receivables. In 2013, we paid additional taxes as a result of a settlement agreement with the Israeli Tax Authority. 
See also “Item 8 – Financial Information” under the caption “Legal Proceedings” and Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial 
Statements for further information.  

Net cash used in investing activities was $574.1 million in 2011, $374.3 million in 2012 and $545.9 million in 2013. In 2011, 

net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of investments in marketable securities and short-term deposits as well as net 
cash paid in conjunction with 2011 acquisitions, partially offset by proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities. In 
2012, net cash used in investing activities consisted primarily of investments in marketable securities and short-term deposits, 
partially offset by proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities. In 2013, net cash used in investing activities consisted 
primarily of investments in marketable securities, partially offset by proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities and 
short-term deposits. Our capital expenditures amounted to $7.2 million in 2011, $8.2 million in 2012 and $9.6 million in 2013. Our 
capital expenditures consisted primarily of computer equipment and software for research and development, leasehold improvements 
and furniture.  

During 2011, we funded minor acquisitions for approximately $15.1 million from our cash and cash equivalents balances. No 

acquisitions were made in 2012 and 2013.  

Net cash used in financing activities was $227.1 million in 2011, $394.0 million in 2012 and $431.7 million in 2013. In 2011, 

2012 and 2013, net cash used in financing activities was attributed primarily to the repurchase of ordinary shares. Under the 
repurchase programs, we may purchase our ordinary shares from time to time, depending on market conditions, share price, trading 
volume and other factors. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, we repurchased ordinary shares in the amount of $300 million, $466.2 million and 
$534.2 million, respectively. We re-issue the repurchased shares to settle exercises of options and awards of restricted share units to 
our employees and direc tors. Proceeds from such activities were $71.5 million, $61.0 million and $67.1 million in 2011, 2012 and 
2013, respectively. During 2011, we acquired the SofaWare minority shares for $6.6 million.  

Our investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair 
value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in other comprehensive income. Amortization of premium, discount 
and interest is recorded in our statements of income.  

54 

  
Our liquidity could be negatively affected by a decrease in demand for our products and services, including the impact of 
changes in customer buying that may result from the current general economic downturn. Also, if the financial system or the credit 
markets continue to deteriorate or remain volatile, our investment portfolio may be impacted and the values and liquidity of our 
investments could be adversely affected.  

Our principal sources of liquidity consist of our cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits and marketable securities (which 
aggregated $3,629.9 million as of December 31, 2013), our cash flow from operations, and our net financial income. We believe that 
these sources of liquidity will be sufficient to satisfy our capital expenditure requirements for the next twelve months.  

Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.  

Additional details are provided in this Item 5, under the caption “Results of operations”.  

Trend Information  

Additional details are provided in this Item 5, under the caption “Results of operations”.  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  

We are not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we have no unconsolidated special purpose financing or 

partnership entities that are likely to create contingent obligations.  

55 

  
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations  

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013:  

Payments due by period

Total

Less than 1
year

1-3 years    

4-5 years    

More than
5 years  

Operating lease obligations 
Uncertain income tax positions(*) 
Severance pay(**) 
Total 

  $ 11,203     $
  $205,420    
  $ 10,887    
   $227,510     $

(in thousands)
5,967     $ 5,027     $

—      
—      

—      
—      

5,967     $ 5,027     $

124    
  —      
  —      
124    

85  
—    
—    
85  

(*) Accrual for uncertain income tax position under ASC 740 “Income Taxes,” is paid upon settlement and we are unable to 

reasonably estimate the ultimate amount or timing of settlement. See Note 11f of our Consolidated Financial Statements for 
further information regarding the Company’s liability under ASC 740. 

(**) Severance pay obligations to our Israeli employees, as required under Israeli labor law, are payable only upon termination, 
retirement or death of the respective employee and there is no obligation for benefits accrued prior to 2007, if the employee 
voluntarily resigns. These obligations are partially funded through accounts maintained with financial institutions and 
recognized as an asset on our balance sheet. Of this amount, $4.4 million is unfunded. 

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ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 

Directors and Senior Management  

Our directors and executive officers as of December 31, 2013, were as follows:  

Name

Gil Shwed 
Marius Nacht 
Jerry Ungerman 
Amnon Bar-Lev 
Tal Payne 
Dorit Dor 

Position

  Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
  Vice Chairman of the Board 
  Vice Chairman of the Board 
  President 
  Chief Financial Officer
  Vice President of Products 

Yoav Chelouche (3)  Director 

Irwin Federman (3)   Director 

Guy Gecht (3) 

  Director 

Dan Propper 

  Director 

Ray Rothrock(3) 

  Director 

David Rubner 

  Director 

Tal Shavit 

  Director 

Independent
Director (1)  

Outside
Director
(2) 

Member 
of Audit 
Committee 

Member of 
Compensation
Committee   

Member of
Nominating
Committee

√ 
√ 
√ 

√ 

√ 
√ 
√ 

√ 

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

(1)

(2)
(3)

“Independent Director” under the NASDAQ Global Select Market regulations and the Israeli Companies Law (see explanation 
below). 
“Outside Director” as required by the Israeli Companies Law (see explanation below). 
“Financial expert” as required by the Israeli Companies Law and NASDAQ requirements with respect to membership on the 
audit committee (see “Item 16A – Audit Committee Financial Expert”). 

Gil Shwed is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Shwed is considered the inventor of the modern firewall 
and authored several patents, such as the company’s Stateful Inspection technology. Mr. Shwed has received numerous accolades for 
his individual achievements and industry contributions, including an honorary Doctor of Science from the Technion – Israel Institute 
of Technology, the World Economic Forum’s Global Leader for Tomorrow for his commitment to public affairs and leadership in 
areas beyond immediate professional interests, and the Academy of Achievement’s Golden Plate Award for his innovative 
contribution to business and technology. Mr. Shwed is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Youth University of Tel Aviv 
University. He is also Chairman of the Board of the board of directors of Yeholot Association Founded by the Rashi Foundation 
whose charter is, among other things, to reduce the dropout rates in high schools.  

Marius Nacht, one of Check Point’s founders, has served as Vice Chairman of our board of directors since 2001. Mr. Nacht has 

also served as one of our directors since we were incorporated in 1993. From 1999 through 2005, Mr. Nacht held Senior Vice 
President roles at Check Point. Mr. Nacht earned a B.S. (cum laude) in Physics and Mathematics from the Hebrew University of 
Jerusalem in 1983, and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Communication Systems from Tel Aviv University in 1987.  

Jerry Ungerman has served as Vice Chairman of our board of directors since 2005. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Ungerman served 
as our President and before that, from 1998 until 2000, he served as our Executive Vice President. Prior to joining us, Mr. Ungerman 
accumulated more than 30 years of high-tech  

57 

  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
sales, marketing and management experience at Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a data storage company and a member of the Hitachi, 
Ltd. group. He began his career with International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), a global technology products and services 
company, after earning a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.  

Amnon Bar-Lev, President at Check Point, is responsible for worldwide sales, global partner programs, business development 
and technical services for the company. Mr. Bar-Lev joined Check Point in 2005 and brings more than 15 years of high-tech sales, 
marketing and management experience to the organization. Prior to joining Check Point, Mr. Bar-Lev was founder and CEO of Xpert 
Integrated System Ltd., a leading provider of security, business-continuity and infrastructure platforms and solutions. Before forming 
Xpert, Mr. Bar-Lev began his career in the Israeli Air Force where he held several positions within the operational and administration 
units. Mr. Bar-Lev holds a B.A. in Computer Science (HONS) and Management (HONS) from Tel-Aviv University.  

Tal Payne has served as our Chief Financial Officer since June 2008. Prior to joining us in 2008, Ms. Payne was Chief Financial 

Officer at Gilat Satellite Networks, Ltd., a leading provider of products and services for satellite-based communications networks. 
During her tenure at Gilat, Ms. Payne was responsible for the strategic planning, development and leadership of the finance 
organization, and held the role of vice president of finance for over five years. Ms. Payne led the company’s public offerings, capital 
restructurings and other transactions. Before joining Gilat, she was previously employed at PricewaterhouseCoopers, a professional 
services company specializing in accounting and consulting. Ms. Payne holds a B.A. in Economics and Accounting and an Executive 
M.B.A., both from Tel-Aviv University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.  

Dr. Dorit Dor, Vice President of Products at Check Point, manages all product and development functions for both the 
enterprise and consumer divisions of the company. Her core responsibilities include leading the company’s product management, 
research and development (R&D) and quality assurance (QA) initiatives from concept to delivery. Since joining the company in 1995, 
Dr. Dor has served in several pivotal roles in Check Point’s R&D organization. She has been instrumental to the organization’s 
growth and managed many successful product releases. Dr. Dor holds a Ph.D. and M.S degree in computer science from Tel-Aviv 
University, in addition to graduating cum laude for her B.S. She has been published in several influential scientific journals for her 
research on graph decomposition, median selection and geometric pattern matching in d-dimensional space. In 1993, she won the 
Israel National Defense Prize.  

Yoav Z. Chelouche has served on our board of directors since 2006. Mr. Chelouche has also served as one of our outside 
directors under the Israeli Companies Law since 2006. Mr. Chelouche has been Managing Partner of Aviv Venture Capital since 
August 2000. Prior to joining Aviv Venture Capital, Mr. Chelouche served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Scitex Corp., 
a world leader in digital imaging and printing systems, from December 1994 until July 2000. From August 1979 until December 
1994, Mr. Chelouche held various managerial positions with Scitex, including VP Strategy and Business Development, VP Marketing 
and VP Finance for Europe. Mr. Chelouche is a member of the board of directors of a number of private companies. He is also co-
Chairman of IATI-Israel Advanced Technology Industries, an Israeli nonprofit organization that researches, develops and advocates 
policies that promote Israel’s high tech ecosystem through activities in training, tuition, business development, public relations and 
public policy advocacy. Mr. Chelouche earned a B.A. in Economics and Statistics from Tel Aviv University, and an M.B.A. from 
INSEAD University in Fontainebleau, France.  

Irwin Federman has served on our board of directors since 1995. Mr. Federman has also served as one of our outside directors 

under the Israeli Companies Law since 2000. Mr. Federman has been a General  

58 

  
Partner of U.S. Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, since 1990. Mr. Federman serves as director of SanDisk Corp., Mellanox 
Technologies Ltd., Intermolecular, Inc. and a number of private companies. Mr. Federman received a B.S. in Economics from 
Brooklyn College.  

Guy Gecht has served on our board of directors since 2006. Mr. Gecht has also served as one of our outside directors under the 
Israeli Companies Law since 2006. Mr. Gecht is the Chief Executive Officer of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI), a company that 
provides digital imaging and print management solutions for commercial and industrial applications and has served in this position 
since January 2000. From October 1995 until January 2000, Mr. Gecht held various positions with EFI, including President of the 
company. Prior to joining EFI, Mr. Gecht held various software engineering positions with technology companies. Mr. Gecht holds a 
B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from Ben-Gurion University in Israel.  

Dan Propper has served on our board of directors since 2006. Mr. Propper is the Chairman of the Board for the Osem Group, a 

leading Israeli manufacturer of food products. Mr. Propper served as the Chief Executive Officer of Osem for 25 years until April 
2006. In addition to his role at Osem, from 1993 until 1999, Mr. Propper served as President of Israel’s Manufacturers’ Association, 
an independent umbrella organization representing industrial enterprises in Israel, and as Chairman of the Federation of Economic 
Organizations in Israel, which unites economic and business organizations that represents all business sectors in Israel. Mr. Propper 
has received numerous awards for his contributions to the Israeli industry and economy, including an honorary Doctorate from the 
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in 1999. Mr. Propper serves as a member of the board of directors of Osem Investments 
Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and a number of private companies. Mr. Propper is also a member of the board of governors of 
the Technion, the Weizmann Institute of Science and Ben-Gurion University in Israel. Mr. Propper earned a B.Sc. (summa cum 
laude) in Chemical Engineering and Food Technology from the Technion. As of 2011, Mr. Propper has been appointed as the 
Chairman of the Supervisory Council of the Bank of Israel.  

Ray Rothrock has served on our board of directors since 1995. Mr. Rothrock has also served as one of our outside directors 
under the Israeli Companies Law since 2000. Mr. Rothrock is a Partner emeritus at Venrock, a venture capital firm, where he was a 
member since 1988 and a general partner since 1995. He retired from Venrock in 2013. Presently, Mr. Rothrock is the chairman and 
CEO of RedSeal Networks in Santa Clara, California. Mr. Rothrock is also a director of a number of private companies. Mr. Rothrock 
received a B.S. in Engineering from Texas A&M University, an M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an M.B.A. 
from the Harvard Business School.  

David Rubner has served on our board of directors since 1999. Mr. Rubner is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rubner 

Technology Ventures Ltd., a venture capital firm, and is a general partner at Hyperion Israel Advisors Ltd., a venture capital fund. 
Prior to founding Rubner Technology Ventures, Mr. Rubner served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ECI 
Telecommunications Ltd., a provider of telecommunications networking infrastructure solutions from September 1991 to February 
2000. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rubner held various management positions at ECI 
Telecom. Mr. Rubner serves as a member of the boards of directors of Elbit Imaging Ltd., Messaging International Ltd., Radware 
Ltd., Eltek Ltd., and a number of private companies. Mr. Rubner is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Jerusalem College of 
Technology and Shaare Zedek Hospital. Mr. Rubner holds a B.S. in Engineering from Queen Mary College, University of London 
and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and he was a recipient of the Industry Prize in 1995.  

Dr. Tal Shavit has served on our board of directors since 2000. Dr. Shavit is an organizational consultant specializing in 

international collaboration between Israeli and American companies, consulting in  

59 

  
the management of cultural differences in order to forge effective collaboration. Her work with leading management teams includes 
the definition of organizational culture as the engine of the company’s activities. She consults with companies undergoing structural 
change with emphasis on organizational growth through effective mergers and acquisitions and a redefining of management roles in 
order to meet market changes.  

Of the individuals mentioned above, only Gil Shwed and Marius Nacht owned more than one percent of our outstanding shares 
as of December 31, 2013. Additional details are provided in this Item 6, under the caption “Share ownership” and in “Item 7 – Major 
Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”  

Some of our directors are board members of multiple companies, some of which may be technology companies. The board of 

directors has determined that there are no current conflicts of interest with respect to any of our directors.  

The terms of Gil Shwed, Marius Nacht, Jerry Ungerman, Dan Propper, David Rubner, Dr. Tal Shavit, Irwin Federman and Ray 

Rothrock will expire at our 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. The terms of Yoav Chelouche and Guy Gecht will expire at our 
2015 annual meeting of shareholders.  

There are no arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any of 

the directors or members of senior management are elected.  

Compensation of Directors and Officers  

The total direct cash compensation that we accrued for our directors and executive officers as a group was approximately $2.0 

million for the year ended December 31, 2011, $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and $2.4 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2013. These amounts include $0.13 million, $0.12 million and $0.14 million that were set aside or accrued to 
provide for severance and retirement insurance policies in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. These amounts do not include amounts 
accrued for expenses related to business travel, professional and business association dues and other business expenses reimbursed to 
officers. We do not have any agreements with our directors who are also officers that provide for benefits upon termination of 
employment, except for severance payments mandated by Israeli law for all employees employed in Israel.  

We currently pay each of our non-executive directors an annual cash retainer of $40,000 for the services provided to our board 

of directors and an annual cash retainer of $7,500 for each committee membership. In addition, we pay the chair of our audit 
committee an annual cash retainer of $7,500 and the chair of each of our nominating committee and compensation committee an 
annual cash retainer of $2,500. Only directors who are not officers receive compensation for serving as directors.  

From time to time, we grant options and other awards under our equity incentive plans (described below) to our executive 

officers and directors. See Item 10 “Additional Information –Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors; Executive 
Compensation Policy” for a detailed description of the approval procedures we follow in compensating our directors and executive 
officers.  

Our non-employee directors receive an automatic option grant and are also eligible for discretionary awards under the plans. 

Each non-employee director who is first elected or appointed to the board of directors is granted an option to purchase 50,000 
ordinary shares on the date of the initial election or appointment, vesting in equal annual installments over a four-year period. On the 
date of each annual general meeting of shareholders, each non-employee director who is to continue to serve as a non-employee 
director after the annual meeting is granted an option to purchase an additional 25,000 ordinary shares, of which 50%  

60 

  
vest six months after the grant date, 25% vest nine months after the grant date, and another 25% vest a year after the grant date, 
provided that the director has served as a non-employee director for at least six months prior to the date of the annual meeting. The 
directors in office immediately prior to the date of initial appointment or election, or of the annual meeting, as applicable, may 
determine to reduce the initial or annual grant to all non-employee directors or specific non-employee directors.  

All options to directors are granted at an exercise price equal to 100% of the closing price of the ordinary shares on the 

NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of grant.  

In line with our goal of aligning the compensation of Mr. Shwed, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, with the objectives 

of our shareholders, on June 25, 2013, we granted Mr. Shwed options to purchase 1.6 million ordinary shares at an exercise price 
equal to 100% of the closing price of the ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on the date of the grant, vesting over 
a period of 4 years. The option grant to Mr. Shwed was recommended by the compensation committee, and approved by the board of 
directors and shareholders. Mr. Shwed requested to forego his salary and bonus for 2013, as he has done for the past several years. 
Following consideration of Mr. Shwed’s request, our compensation committee and board of directors have determined that 
Mr. Shwed will not receive a bonus for 2013, and will not receive any cash compensation for 2013 except for an amount equal to the 
minimum wage required under Israeli law. Accordingly, other than the minimum wage required by law, Mr. Shwed’s sole 
compensation for 2013 was the option grant described above.  

As of December 31, 2013, our executive officers and directors held options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 

12.03 million shares and held 107,688 restricted stock units under our stock option and equity incentive plans. The exercise prices of 
these options range between $21.53 and $55.95, and their expiration dates range between September 2014 and June 2020. During 
2013, we granted our executive officers and directors options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 1.8 million shares under our 
equity incentive plans. The exercise price of these options was $49.5, and their expiration is June 2020. Other than as specified in the 
share ownership table under the caption “Share ownership” below, none of our directors and executive officers holds more than 1% of 
our outstanding shares.  

Board Practices  

Our board of directors currently consists of ten members. Under our articles of association, the board is to consist of between six 
and twelve members. Each director (other than an outside director as described below) is elected to serve until the next annual general 
meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected. Each executive officer is elected by the board of directors and 
serves at the discretion of the board. All of our executive officers and directors, other than non-employee directors, devote 
substantially all of their working time to our business. There are no family relationships among any of our directors, officers or key 
employees.  

Our articles of association provide that any director may, by written notice to us, appoint another person to serve as an alternate 
director or may cancel the appointment of an alternate director. Any person eligible to serve as a director, other than a person who is 
already a director or an alternate director, may act as an alternate director. The term of appointment of an alternate director may be for 
one meeting of the board, for a specified period of time, a specified meeting or action of the board or until notice is given of the 
cancellation of the appointment. No director has appointed, and, to our knowledge, no director currently intends to appoint, any other 
person as an alternate director.  

61 

  
Outside and Independent Directors  

Outside directors. In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law and the relevant regulations, we must have at least two outside 

directors who meet the Israeli statutory requirements of independence. At least one of the outside directors is required to have 
“financial and accounting expertise” and the other outside director or directors are required to have “professional expertise,” all as 
defined under the Israeli Companies Law. Our board of directors has determined that each of Yoav Chelouche, Irwin Federman, Guy 
Gecht and Ray Rothrock has “financial and accounting expertise,” and each of Guy Gecht and Ray Rothrock has “professional 
expertise”.  

An outside director serves for a term of three years, which may be extended for additional three-year terms. An outside director 

can be removed from office only under very limited circumstances. All of the outside directors must serve on the company’s audit 
committee and compensation committee (including one outside director serving as the chair of the audit committee and the 
compensation committee), and at least one outside director must serve on each committee of the board of directors. As of 
December 31, 2013, Yoav Chelouche, Irwin Federman, Guy Gecht and Ray Rothrock are our outside directors under the Israeli 
Companies Law. Irwin Federman’s and Ray Rothrock’s term of office will expire in 2014 and Yoav Chelouche’s and Guy Gecht’s 
term of office will expire in 2015.  

Independent directors. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as related rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and

Exchange Commission and the NASDAQ Global Select Market, requires issuers to comply with various corporate governance 
practices. Under the rules applicable to us as a foreign private issuer, we are required to have a majority of independent directors 
within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ regulations. Our board of directors complies with these requirements by including a 
majority of members who are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ regulations.  

Pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law, an Israeli company whose shares are publicly traded may elect to adopt a provision in its 

articles of association pursuant to which a majority of its board of directors (or a third of its board of directors in case the company 
has a controlling shareholder) will constitute individuals complying with certain independence criteria prescribed by the Israeli 
Companies Law, as well as certain other recommended corporate governance provisions. Although we have not included these 
provisions in our articles of association because our board of directors already complies with the independence requirements and the 
corporate governance rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market, as described below, a majority of our board of directors and all the 
members of our audit committee, compensation committee and nominating committee are directors who comply with the 
independence criteria prescribed by the Israeli Companies Law.  

As of December 31, 2013, Yoav Chelouche, Irwin Federman, Guy Gecht, Dan Propper, Ray Rothrock, David Rubner and Tal 

Shavit are our independent directors under the applicable NASDAQ regulations and the Israeli Companies Law. Our independent 
directors have regularly held meetings at which only independent directors are present.  

Committees of the Board of Directors  

Our articles of association provide that the board of directors may delegate all of its powers to committees of the board as it 
deems appropriate, subject to the provisions of Israeli law. Our board of directors has established an audit committee, compensation 
committee and nominating committee.  

62 

  
Audit committee. Under the Israeli Companies Law, the board of directors of any public company must establish an audit 
committee. The audit committee must consist of at least three directors, must include all of the outside directors (including one 
outside director serving as the chair of the audit committee), and a majority of the committee members must comply with the director 
independence requirements prescribed by the Israeli Companies Law.  

The audit committee may not include the chairman of the board, or any director employed by us, by a controlling shareholder or 

by any entity controlled by a controlling shareholder, or any director providing services to us, to a controlling shareholder or to any 
entity controlled by a controlling shareholder on a regular basis, or any director whose income is primarily dependent on a controlling 
shareholder, and may not include a controlling shareholder or any relatives of a controlling shareholder. Individuals who are not 
permitted to be audit committee members may not participate in the committee’s meetings other than to present a particular issue at 
the request of the chair of the committee. However, an employee who is not a controlling shareholder or relative may participate in 
the committee’s discussions but not in any vote, and the company’s legal counsel and corporate secretary (if they are not a controlling 
shareholder or relative) may participate in the committee’s discussions and votes if requested by the committee.  

In addition, the NASDAQ regulations also require us to maintain an audit committee consisting of at least three directors, all of 
whom must be independent under the NASDAQ regulations applicable to audit committee members. Irwin Federman is the chairman 
of the audit committee. Yoav Chelouche, Guy Gecht and Ray Rothrock serve as the other members of our audit committee. The audit 
committee has adopted an audit committee charter as required by the NASDAQ regulations.  

The audit committee’s duties include providing assistance to the board of directors in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations 

in matters involving our accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions. In this respect the 
audit committee approves the services performed by our independent accountants and reviews their reports regarding our accounting 
practices and systems of internal accounting controls. The audit committee also oversees the audits conducted by our independent 
accountants and takes those actions, as it deems necessary to satisfy itself that the accountants are independent of management. Under 
the Israeli Companies Law, the audit committee also is required to monitor whether there are any deficiencies in the administration of 
our company, including by consulting with the internal auditor and independent accountant, to review, classify and approve related 
party transactions and extraordinary transactions, to review the internal auditor’s audit plan and to establish and monitor 
whistleblower procedures.  

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a meeting of the audit committee is properly convened if a majority of the committee 
members attend the meeting, and in addition a majority of the attending committee members are independent directors within the 
meaning of the Israeli Companies Law and include at least one outside director.  

Compensation committee. Under the Israeli Companies Law, the board of directors of any public company must establish a 
compensation committee. The compensation committee must consist of at least three directors, include all of the outside directors 
(including one outside director serving as the chair of the compensation committee), and a majority of the committee members must 
comply with the director independence requirements prescribed by the Israeli Companies Law.  

Similar to the rules that apply to the audit committee, the compensation committee may not include the chairman of the board, or

any director employed by us, by a controlling shareholder or by any entity controlled by a controlling shareholder, or any director 
providing services to us, to a controlling shareholder or to any entity controlled by a controlling shareholder on a regular basis, or any 
director whose primary  

63 

  
income is dependent on a controlling shareholder, and may not include a controlling shareholder or any of its relatives. Individuals 
who are not permitted to be compensation committee members may not participate in the committee’s meetings other than to present 
a particular issue; provided, however, that an employee that is not a controlling shareholder or relative may participate in the 
committee’s discussions but not in any vote, and the company’s legal counsel and corporate secretary may participate in the 
committee’s discussions and votes if requested by the committee.  

In addition, the NASDAQ regulations also require us to maintain a compensation committee consisting of independent directors. 

Ray Rothrock is the chairman of the compensation committee. Yoav Chelouche, Irwin Federman and Guy Gecht serve as the other 
members of our compensation committee. The compensation committee has adopted a compensation committee charter.  

The compensation committee’s duties include recommending to the board of directors a compensation policy for executives and 

monitor its implementation, approve compensation terms of executive officers, directors and employees affiliated with controlling 
shareholders, make recommendations to the board of directors regarding the issuance of equity incentive awards under our equity 
incentive plans and exempt certain compensation arrangements from the requirement to obtain shareholder approval under the Israeli 
Companies Law.  

Nominating committee. The nominating committee identifies prospective board candidates, recommends nominees for election 

to our board of directors, develops and recommends board member selection criteria, considers committee member qualification, 
supervises the selection and composition of committees of our board of directors, and provides oversight in the evaluation of our 
board of directors and each committee David Rubner is the chairman of the nominating committee. Irwin Federman, Ray Rothrock 
and Tal Shavit serve as the other members of our nominating committee. The nominating committee has adopted a nominating 
committee charter.  

Employees  

As of December 31, 2013, we had 2,990 employees.  

Over the past three years, the number of our employees by function was as follows:  

Function
Research, development and quality assurance
Marketing, sales and business development 
Customer support 
Information systems, administration, finance and operation
Total 

64 

As of December 31,2013

2011

840    
926    
303    
303    
  2,372    

2012     
  970    
 1,061    
  364    
  311    
 2,706    

2013  
 1,055  
 1,158  
  436  
  341  
 2,990  

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
From time to time, we also engage a limited number of subcontractors. As of December 31, 2013, we had 85 contractors. 

Over the past three years, the number of our employees by geographic area was as follows:  

Function 
Israel 
United States 
Rest of the World 
Total 

As of December 31,2013

2011

2012     

2013  

  1,078    
633    
661    
  2,372    

 1,254    
  681    
  771    
 2,706    

 1,437  
  712  
  841  
 2,990  

We are subject to Israeli labor laws and regulations with respect to our Israeli employees. The Israeli labor laws differ materially 

from U.S. labor laws and, in some cases, impose material obligations on us (such as severance pay and mandatory cost of living 
increases). We are also subject to the labor laws and regulations of other jurisdictions in the world where we have employees.  

Share Ownership  

The following table shows information regarding beneficial ownership by our directors and executive officers as of January 31, 

2014. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

All information with respect to the beneficial ownership of any principal shareholder has been furnished by such shareholder 
and, unless otherwise indicated below, we believe that persons named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with 
respect to all of the shares shown as beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable. All shares shown as 
beneficially owned have identical rights in all respects. The shares beneficially owned by the directors include the shares owned by 
their family members to which such directors disclaim beneficial ownership.  

The share numbers and percentages listed below are based on shares outstanding as of January 31, 2014.  

65 

  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
Name
Gil Shwed 
Marius Nacht 
All directors and officers as a 
group (13 persons including 
Messrs. Shwed and Nacht) 
(4) 

Number of
shares 
beneficially
owned (1)
   30,668,807     
   21,214,986     

% of 
class of 
shares (2) 

Title of securities
covered by the 
options

Number of
options 
and RSUs (3)

Exercise price of 
options

Date of expiration of 
options

15.4%   Ordinary shares   5,705,000    $23.65 - $53.67    09/03/2014-06/24/2020
11.0%   Ordinary shares  

   53,485,652     

26.7%   Ordinary shares   7,126,846    $21.53 - $55.95    09/03/2014-06/24/2020

(1) The number of ordinary shares shown includes shares that each shareholder has the right to acquire pursuant to stock options 

(2)

that are exercisable and restricted share units that vest within 60 days after January 31, 2014. 
If a shareholder has the right to acquire shares by exercising stock options (as determined in accordance with footnote (1)), these 
shares are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage owned by the specific shareholder (that is, they are 
included in both the numerator and the denominator), but they are disregarded for the purpose of computing the percentage 
owned by any other shareholder. 

(3) Number of options immediately exercisable or exercisable and restricted share units that vest within 60 days from January 31, 

2014. 

(4) Each of Messrs./Mmes. Ungerman, Bar-Lev, Payne, Dor, Chelouche, Federman, Gecht, Propper, Rothrock, Rubner and 

Dr. Shavit beneficially owns less than one percent of our outstanding ordinary shares. 

Equity Incentive Plans  

The following table summarizes our equity incentive plans, which have outstanding awards as of December 31, 2013:  

Plan
2005 United States Equity 

Share 
reserved

Option and 
RSUs 
grants net 
(*)

Outstanding
options and
RSUs

Options 
outstanding 
exercise price

Date of expiration

Options 
exercisable

Incentive Plan 

    36,000,000(**)     2,736,224    

914,338     $23.46-$58.49     09/03/2014-10/21/2020    

423,750  

2005 Israel Equity Incentive 

Plan 

    54,000,000(**)    18,677,061     12,593,737     $21.53-$55.95     09/03/2014-07/23/2020     7,576,796  

Zone Labs 1998 Stock 

Option Plan 

Employee Stock Purchase 

     2,461,943  

    2,461,943    

679     $

6.08    

02/16/2014    

679  

Plan 

     6,000,000  

    4,933,124    

“Grants net” is calculated by subtracting options and RSUs expired or forfeited. 

(*)
(**) As further described below, following the amendments to the equity incentive plans in January 2014, the number of ordinary 

shares reserved under the plans was significantly reduced. As of January 31, 2014, the number of ordinary shares reserved under 
both the 2005 United Stated Equity Incentive Plan and the 2005 Israel Equity Plan together equals 19,000,000. 

In 2005, we adopted our 2005 United States Equity Incentive Plan and our 2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan, which were 

subsequently amended in January 2014. We refer to the plans, as amended in January 2014, as the U.S. Equity Plan and the Israel 
Equity Plan, and, together, as the Equity Plans.  

66 

  
  
  
    
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
Number of Ordinary Shares Reserved for Future Grants under the Equity Plans 

Following the amendment of the U.S. Equity Plan and the Israel Equity Plan in January 2014, we reserved a total of 19,000,000 

ordinary shares under the two Equity Plans together. Commencing December 31, 2014, on December 31st of each year, the number of 
Reserved and Authorized Shares (as defined below) under both Equity Plans together shall be automatically reset on such date to 
equal 10% of the number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding on such date (provided that the number shall not be less than the 
number of outstanding awards granted under the Equity Plans as of such date). The number of “Reserved and Authorized Shares” 
under the Equity Plans shall equal the sum of (i) the number of ordinary shares reserved and authorized under the Equity Plans for 
outstanding awards granted under the Equity Plans as of such date, and (ii) the number of ordinary shares reserved, authorized and 
available for issuance under the Equity Plans on such date.  

As of December 31, 2013, we had granted options to purchase an aggregate of 19,562,690 ordinary shares under the Equity 

Plans combined, of which options to purchase 12,601,546 ordinary shares were outstanding on that date. The option exercise prices 
range between $21.53 and $58.49 per share. As of December 31, 2013, we had granted an aggregate of 4,610,271 RSUs under the 
equity plans combined, of which 906,529 RSUs were outstanding on that date.  

Administration  

Both Equity Plans are administered by our board of directors or a committee of our board. The compensation committee of our 

board of directors currently operates as the administrator of the Equity Plans. The administrator has full power to determine the 
persons to whom awards shall be granted and the other terms of the awards granted, including (a) the number of shares subject to each 
award, (b) the duration of the related award agreement, (c) the time, manner and form of payment upon the exercise of an award, and 
(d) other terms and provisions governing the awards. The administrator also establishes the vesting schedule of awards that are 
granted.  

2005 United States Equity Incentive Plan, as Amended  

Awards. The U.S. Equity Plan provides for the following kinds of awards, which we refer to generically as awards: (i) Incentive 

Stock Options (ISOs), (ii) Non-statutory Stock Options (NSOs), (iii) Restricted Stock, (iv) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), 
(v) Performance Shares, (vi) Performance RSUs (“PSUs”) and (vii) Deferred Stock Units. All of these awards can vest based on time 
or performance milestones.  

67 

  
Granting of options, price and duration. Our U.S. Equity Plan provides that each option will expire on the date stated in the 
notice of grant, which will not be more than seven years from its date of grant (or five years, in the case of an ISO granted to a person 
who on the date of grant owns 10% or more of our voting power). The exercise price of an option cannot be less than 100% of the fair 
market value per share on the date of grant (or 110% of the fair market value, in the case of an ISO granted to a person who on the 
date of grant owns 10% or more of our voting power). The administrator will fix the period within which the award can be exercised 
and the exercise price. No option award can vest until at least six months after the grant date.  

Granting of awards, other than options, and price. The administrator can determine the conditions that must be satisfied, which 
typically will be based principally or solely on the recipient’s continuing to provide services to us, but conditions may also include a 
performance-based component. We can issue ordinary shares under grants of Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Shares and PSUs 
upon payment of their nominal value. No such award can vest until at least one year after the grant date. Deferred Stock Units consist 
of Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Shares, or PSUs that the administrator permits to be paid out in installments or on a deferred 
basis.  

2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan, as Amended  

Awards. The Israel Equity Plan provides for the following kinds of awards, which we refer to generically as awards: 

(i) “Approved 102 Options/Shares,” which are grants to directors, employees and officers that are eligible for favorable tax treatment 
in Israel and which must be held by a trustee for a minimum period; (ii) “Non-approved 102 Options/Shares,” which are grants of 
options or shares that are not eligible for favorable tax treatment in Israel and which may be held directly by the participants; 
(iii) Restricted Stock; (iv) RSUs; (v) Performance Shares; (vi) PSUs; and (vii) Deferred Stock Units. All of these awards can vest 
based on time or performance milestones.  

Trustee. A trustee designated by our board of directors and approved by the Israel Tax Authority must hold any shares allocated 
or issued upon exercise of Approved 102 Options or other shares subsequently received following any realization of rights, including 
bonus shares (stock dividends), for at least the period of time specified by Section 102 of Israel’s Income Tax Ordinance.  

Granting of options, price and duration. Our Israel Equity Plan provides that each option will expire on the date stated in the 

option agreement, which will not be more than seven years from its date of grant. The exercise price of an option cannot be less than 
100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. The administrator will fix the period within which the award can be 
exercised and the exercise price. No option award can vest until at least six months after the grant date.  

Granting of awards, other than options, and price. The administrator can determine the conditions that must be satisfied, which 
typically will be based principally or solely on the recipient’s continuing to provide services to us, but conditions may also include a 
performance-based component. We can issue ordinary shares under grants of Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Shares and PSUs 
upon payment of their nominal value. No such award can vest until at least one year after the grant date. Deferred Stock Units consist 
of Restricted Stock, RSUs, Performance Shares, or PSUs that the administrator permits to be paid out in installments or on a deferred 
basis.  

68 

  
Change of control arrangements. Upon a change of control of us, if the acquirer refuses to assume or provide substitute awards, 

then the administrator of the equity plans, which is currently the compensation committee of our board of directors, can either 
terminate all unvested awards or accelerate the vesting period of any award under our Equity Plans. The administrator also has the 
authority to accelerate the vesting of the ordinary shares subject to outstanding awards held by our directors, officers and employees 
in connection with the subsequent termination of some officers’ employment following a change of control event.  

Zone Labs 1998 Stock Option Plan  

In connection with our acquisition of Zone Labs in March 2004, we assumed all of the outstanding Zone Labs stock options 

under the Zone Labs 1998 Stock Option Plan, which were converted into options to purchase approximately 2.8 million of our 
ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2013, 2,461,264 ordinary shares had been issued under the Zone Labs 1998 Stock Option Plan, 
and options to purchase 679 ordinary shares were outstanding on that date. The option exercise price is $6.08 per share. No further 
stock options can be granted under the Zone Labs 1998 Stock Option Plan.  

Employee Stock Purchase Plan  

In 1996, we adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which we refer to as the “ESPP”. The ESPP permits our full-time 
employees (and full-time employees of some of our subsidiaries) to purchase ordinary shares through payroll deductions. Under the 
ESPP, 6,000,000 ordinary shares were authorized for issuance. As of December 31, 2013, 4,933,124 ordinary shares had been issued 
under the ESPP. The ESPP has six-month offering periods, with purchases occurring in January and July. The compensation 
committee of our board of directors administers the ESPP. The ESPP will terminate on the earliest of (i) the last business day in 
January 2016, (ii) when no more shares are available for issuance under the ESPP, or (iii) when all purchase rights under the ESPP 
are granted or exercised in connection with a “Corporate Transaction” as defined in the ESPP.  

An eligible employee can purchase ordinary shares at a price of 85% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the 
beginning of the six-month offering period (or 85% of the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the semi-annual purchase date, 
if that is lower). Each eligible employee can elect to purchase ordinary shares under the ESPP in an amount of up to 15% of the 
employee’s compensation, but not more than 1,250 shares per participant on any purchase date. Employees may terminate their 
participation in the ESPP at any time during the offering period, and participation ends automatically on termination of employment 
with us. Each outstanding purchase right will be exercised immediately prior to our merger or consolidation with another company. 
Our board of directors may amend or terminate the ESPP immediately after the close of any purchase date. The board may not, unless 
shareholders approve, materially increase the number of ordinary shares available for issuance, reduce the purchase price payable for 
ordinary shares, or materially modify the eligibility requirements for participation or the benefits available to participants.  

69 

  
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

The following table shows information as of December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, for each person who, to the best of our 

knowledge, beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares as December 31, 2013:  

Name of Five Percent Shareholders

Gil Shwed 
Marius Nacht 
Franklin Resources Inc. (3) 

% of
class of
No. of shares
shares
beneficially
(2)
held (1)
December 31, 2011

% of 
class of
No. of shares
shares 
beneficially
held (1)
(2)
December 31, 2012

    32,110,792     15.1%  32,018,735     15.5%  
    21,214,986     10.3%  21,214,986     10.7%  

% of
class of
No. of shares 
shares
beneficially 
held (1)
(2)
December 31, 2013

 31,436,485     15.8% 
 21,214,986     11.0% 
5.7% 
 10,900,178    

(2)

(1) The amount includes ordinary shares owned by each of the individuals, directly or indirectly, and options immediately 
exercisable or that are exercisable within 60 days from December 31st, of each of the years shown in this table. 
If a shareholder has the right to acquire ordinary shares by exercising stock options exercisable within 60 days from 
December 31st, of each of the years shown in this table, these Ordinary shares are deemed outstanding for the purpose of 
computing the percentage owned by the specific shareholder (that is, they are included in both the numerator and the 
denominator), but they are disregarded for the purpose of computing the percentage owned by any other shareholder. 
(3) As of December 31, 2013, based on information contained in a Schedule 13F-HR filed by Franklin Resources Inc. with the 

Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2014. Based on information available to us, as of December 31, 2011 and 
2012, Franklin Resources Inc. did not beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares. The address for 
Franklin Resources Inc. is One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403. 

Our major shareholders do not have different voting rights from other shareholders with respect to our ordinary shares.  

According to our transfer agent, as of December 31, 2013, there were 174 holders of record of our ordinary shares in the United 

States, representing approximately 86% of our outstanding shares. The number of record holders in the United States is not 
representative of the number of beneficial holders nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders are resident since many of 
these ordinary shares were held by brokers or other nominees.  

We are not controlled by another corporation or by any foreign government, directly or through any other entity. Each of our 

outstanding ordinary shares has identical rights in all respects.  

As of December 31, 2012, we had employee and payroll accrual for related parties in a total amount of $4.3 million, for the 
years 2002 through 2007. As of December 31, 2013, the accrual amounted to a total of $3.7 million, for the years 2002 through 2007. 

70 

  
  
  
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

Consolidated Financial Statements  

You can find our financial statements in “Item 18 – Financial Statements.”  

Dividend policy. We currently do not intend to distribute any amounts as dividend in the near-term. As described below, during 

2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the Israel Tax Authority, resulting in the full release of the profits we generated 
under the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments (the “Investment Law”) through the year ended December 31, 
2011 (known in Israel as “trapped profits”), provided that in accordance with the Investment Law and the regulations thereunder, 
during the five years commencing 2013, we are obligated to invest approximately $111 million in (i) production assets (as defined 
therein), (ii) research and development activities in Israel and (iii) employment payments for certain new employees (other than office 
holders) added after 2011. For amounts distributed as dividends from earnings from 2012 and 2013 are exempt from additional taxes. 

Legal Proceedings  

We operate our business in various countries, and accordingly attempt to utilize an efficient operating model to structure our tax 

payments based on the laws in the countries in which we operate. This can cause disputes between the Company and various tax 
authorities in different parts of the world.  

In November 2013, we reached a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”), with the Israeli Tax Authorities (“ITA”) 

for years 2002 through 2011 and accordingly, we and the ITA notified the court that we have reached an agreement outside of the 
court and obtained the court’s approval (see Note 11).  

We have filed for a declaratory judgment in a patent related case. The adversary is a non-practicing entity. At this time, we do 

not expect the ultimate resolution of these litigation matters to be material to our business, results of operations and financial 
condition.  

Further, we are the defendant in various other lawsuits, including employment-related litigation claims, lease termination claims 
and other legal proceedings in the normal course of our business. Litigation and governmental proceedings can be expensive, lengthy 
and disruptive to normal business operations, and can require extensive management attention and resources, regardless of their merit. 
While we currently intend to defend the aforementioned matters vigorously, we cannot predict the results of complex legal 
proceedings, and an unfavorable resolution of a lawsuit or proceeding could materially adversely affect our business, results of 
operations and financial condition.  

71 

  
ITEM 9.

THE OFFER AND LISTING 

Our ordinary shares are traded publicly on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CHKP” and on the Frankfurt 

Stock Exchange under the symbol “CPW.”  

The following table lists the high and low prices of the ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods 

indicated:  

Year 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 

2012 
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter 

2013 
First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter 

Most recent six months 
September 2013 2006
October 2013 2006
November 2013 2006
December 2013 2006
January 2014 2007
February 2014 2007
March 2014 (through March 14, 2014) 2007

High

Low  

$34.57    
47.08    
61.60    
65.00    
64.95    

$18.94  
  28.82  
  43.20  
  40.60  
  44.40  

64.68    
65.00    
51.88    
48.75    

  50.64  
  46.94  
  43.18  
  40.60  

53.01    
51.61    
59.49    
64.95    

  45.75  
  44.40  
  48.83  
  55.08  

58.95    
62.32    
63.29    
64.95    
68.89    
68.34    
50.13    

  56.00  
  55.08  
  57.72  
  59.63  
  63.04  
  62.31  
  50.43  

On March 14, 2014, the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $67.32 per 

share.  

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

We were incorporated in Israel in July 1993, and we are registered with the Israeli Registrar of Companies as public company 

number 52-004282-1.  

72 

  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The objectives and purposes stated in our memorandum of association are to engage in any lawful activity. We develop market 

and support a wide range of software and combined hardware and software products and services for IT security, and offer our 
customers an extensive portfolio of network security, endpoint security, data security and management solutions. A broad range of 
our network security solutions operate under a unified security architecture, with central management and enforcement of security 
policy, and with centralized real-time security updates. Our products and services are sold to enterprises, service providers, small and 
medium-sized businesses and consumers.  

Articles of Association and Israeli Companies Law  

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our articles of association and related provisions of Israeli corporate 

law. For the complete text of our articles of association, see “Item 19 – Exhibits.”  

Description of shares  

Our authorized share capital consists of the following: (i) 500,000,000 ordinary shares, NIS 0.01 nominal value; (ii) 5,000,000 

preferred shares, NIS 0.01 nominal value; and (iii) 10 deferred shares, NIS 1.00 nominal value.  

Description of ordinary shares  

All of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares are validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable. The ordinary shares do not 

have pre-emptive rights. Our memorandum of association, our articles of association and Israeli law do not restrict in any way the 
ownership or voting of our ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel, except with respect to citizens of countries that are in a state of 
war with Israel.  

Dividend and liquidation rights. The holders of our ordinary shares will be entitled to their proportionate share of any cash 
dividend, share dividend, or dividend in kind distributed with respect to our ordinary shares. This right may be changed if shares with 
special dividend rights are authorized in the future. Under the Israeli Companies Law, we may declare dividends out of the higher of 
retained earnings and earnings generated over the two most recent years (the profits test), in either case, provided that our board of 
directors reasonably believes that the dividend will not render us unable to meet our current or foreseeable obligations when due (the 
solvency test). Even if we do not comply with the profits test, a court may allow us to distribute a dividend as long as the court is 
convinced that the solvency test is fulfilled.  

Our articles of association provide that the board of directors may declare and distribute interim dividends without the approval of the 
shareholders. Shareholder approval is required for the payment of a final dividend proposed by the board of directors, but 
shareholders cannot approve a final dividend that is greater than the board’s proposal. In addition, once an interim dividend has been 
declared and paid, it cannot be affected by any subsequent resolution of the shareholders or the shareholders’ failure to approve a final 
dividend.  

In the event of our liquidation, holders of our ordinary shares have the equal right to participate in the distribution of assets 
remaining after payment of liabilities. This right may be changed if shares with special liquidation or dividend rights are issued in the 
future.  

Voting, shareholder meetings and resolutions. Holders of ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all 

matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. This right may be changed if shares with special voting rights are issued in the future.  

73 

  
Under the Israeli Companies Law, we must hold an annual meeting of our shareholders once every calendar year and not more 

than 15 months from the date of the previous annual shareholders’ meeting. The board of directors determines the location of the 
meeting, which can be in Israel or elsewhere. In addition, our board of directors may, in its discretion, convene additional meetings as 
“special shareholders’ meetings.” The board of directors is also required to convene a special shareholders’ meeting upon the demand 
of any of the following: (i) two directors; (ii) one quarter of the directors in office; (iii) the holder or holders of 5% of our outstanding 
share capital and 1% of our voting power; or (iv) the holder or holders of 5% of our voting power. Our articles of association provide 
that each shareholder of record is entitled to receive prior notice of any shareholders’ meeting in accordance with the requirements of 
the Israeli Companies Law. The law currently provides for at least 21 days’ notice, with certain specified matters requiring at least 35 
days’ notice. For purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at such meeting, the board of directors may 
fix a record date, which shall be between 4 and 40 days prior to the date of the meeting.  

The quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy and 
holding more than 50% of the voting power. The chairman of the board of directors presides at each of our shareholders’ meetings. 
The chairman of the meeting does not have an additional or casting vote. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum will be adjourned 
to the same day in the following week, at the same time and place, or to the day, time and place that the chairman determines, with the 
consent of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and voting on the question of adjournment. At the 
reconvened meeting, the required quorum consists of any two shareholders, regardless of the number of shares they hold or represent. 

The Israeli Companies Law requires that shareholders approve certain transactions, actions and arrangements, as described 

below under the caption “Approval of certain transactions; obligations of directors, officers and shareholders.”  

Shareholders’ resolutions will be deemed adopted if approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power voting at a 

shareholders’ meeting, except for the following decisions which require a different majority:  

(1) A special or extraordinary resolution (such as a resolution amending our memorandum of association or articles of 

association). A majority of at least 75% of the shares voting on the matter is needed. 

(2) A voluntary liquidation process or a merger. A majority of at least 75% of the shares voting on the matter is needed. 

(3) A compromise or arrangement between us and our creditors or shareholders, reorganization, stock split or reverse split. 

This has to be approved by a majority in the number of the persons participating in the vote (except for those abstaining) 
who together hold at least 75% of the value represented at the vote. In addition, court approval is needed. 

(4) The nomination and dismissal of outside directors. Outside directors may be elected or removed by a majority vote at a 

shareholders’ meeting, as long as either: 

(i)

The majority of shares includes a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who have 
no personal interest in the election of the outside directors (excluding a personal interest that is not related to a 
relationship with the controlling shareholders) voted at the meeting, or 

74 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
(ii)

The total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders and disinterested shareholders voted against the proposal 
does not exceed 2% of our aggregate voting rights. 

(5) Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder (i.e., any shareholder that has the ability to direct our actions, 

including any shareholder who holds 25% or more of our voting rights if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of our 
voting rights), with another person in which the controlling shareholder has a personal interest; or a transaction with a 
controlling shareholder (or a relative of such controlling shareholder) concerning terms of compensation for service as an 
office holder, or as a service provider to the company, including through a company controlled by a controlling 
shareholder. Following audit committee (or, alternatively, compensation committee if it relates to terms of compensation 
for service as an office holder or as a service provider) and board of directors approval, these transactions must be 
approved by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, as long as either: 

(i)

(ii)

The majority of shares includes at least a majority of the shares of the voting shareholders who have no personal 
interest in the transaction, or 

The total shareholdings of those who have no personal interest in the transaction and who vote against the 
transaction does not exceed 2% of our aggregate voting rights. 

Generally, the approval of such a transaction may not extend for more than three years, except that in the case of an 
extraordinary transaction with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest that 
does not concern terms of compensation for service as an office holder, or as a service provider to the company, the 
transaction may be approved for a longer period if the audit committee determines that the approval of the transaction for a 
period longer than three years is reasonable under the circumstances.  

(6) The adoption of an executive compensation policy. Following compensation committee and board of directors approval, 

the policy must be approved by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, as long as either: 

(i)

(ii)

The majority of shares includes a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who have 
no personal interest in the adoption of the policy voted at the meeting, or 

The total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders and disinterested shareholders voted against the proposal 
does not exceed 2% of our aggregate voting rights. 

(7) The approval of a compensation arrangement with the chief executive officer or the approval of a compensation 

arrangement with an executive officer or director that is not in compliance with the company’s executive compensation 
policy. Following compensation committee and board of directors approval specifying the special circumstances requiring 
the arrangement of such arrangement (in the case of an arrangement that is not in compliance with the executive 
compensation policy), the compensation arrangement must be approved by a majority vote at a shareholders’ meeting, as 
long as either: 

(i)

The majority of shares includes a majority of the shares of non-controlling shareholders and shareholders who have 
no personal interest in the adoption of the compensation arrangement voted at the meeting, or 

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(ii)

The total number of shares of non-controlling shareholders and disinterested shareholders voted against the proposal 
does not exceed 2% of our aggregate voting rights. 

Transfer of shares. Fully paid ordinary shares are issued in registered form and, subject to applicable securities laws, may be 

transferred freely.  

Election of directors. Our ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Therefore, the 
holders of shares representing more than 50% of the voting rights at the shareholders’ meeting, voting in person or by proxy, have the 
power to elect any or all of the directors whose positions are being filled at that meeting, subject to the special approval requirements 
for outside directors described above.  

Chairman of the Board. Under the Israeli Companies Law, the general manager of a company (or a relative of the general 
manager) may not serve as the chairman of the board of directors, and the chairman of the board of directors (or a relative of the 
chairman of the board of directors) may not serve as the general manager, unless approved by the shareholders by a special majority 
vote prescribed by the Israeli Companies Law. In any event, the shareholder vote cannot authorize the appointment for a period longer 
than three years, which period may be extended from time to time by the shareholders with a similar special majority vote. The 
chairman of the board of directors shall not hold any other position with the company (except as general manager if approved in 
accordance with the above procedure) or in any entity controlled by the company, other than as chairman of the board of directors of a 
controlled entity, and the company shall not delegate to the chairman duties that, directly or indirectly, make him or her subordinate to 
the general manager. In 2012, our shareholders last authorized Mr. Shwed to serve as both our Chief Executive Officer (general 
manager ) and Chairman of the board of directors, and this authorization will expire in 2015.  

Transfer agent and registrar. The transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust 

Company, 59 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level, New York, NY 10038 U.S.A., Tel.: 718-921-8124.  

Description of preferred shares  

We have 5,000,000 preferred shares authorized. Our articles of association provide that the board of directors has the authority 
to issue the preferred shares in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred shares, 
including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation 
preferences and the number of shares constituting any series, without further vote or action by the shareholders. If this provision 
withstands judicial scrutiny under the Israeli Companies Law, the issuance of preferred shares may have the effect of delaying, 
deferring or preventing a change in control of us without further action by the shareholders. For example, the board of directors could 
issue preferred shares with voting and conversion rights that may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of ordinary shares, 
including the loss of voting control to others.  

Anti-takeover measures  

Some of the provisions of our articles of association and Israeli law could, together or separately:  

•

•

•

  Discourage potential acquisition proposals, 

  Delay or prevent a change in control, 

  Limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for our ordinary shares. 

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Israeli corporate law regulates acquisitions of shares through tender offers and mergers; requires special approvals for 

transactions involving directors, officers or significant shareholders; and regulates other matters that may be relevant to these types of 
transactions.  

Under the Israeli Companies Law, in the case of a merger, the shareholders and board of directors of each of the merging 
companies generally need to approve the merger. Shares held in one of the merging companies by the other merging company (or 
certain of its affiliates) are not counted toward the required approval. If a merging company has different classes of shares, the 
approval of each class may be required. Under the Israeli Companies Law, a merger of our company requires the approval of a 
supermajority of at least 75% of our shares that are voted on the merger. A merger cannot be completed until 30 days have passed 
after shareholder approval of each of the merging companies, all approvals have been submitted to the Israeli Registrar of Companies 
and 50 days have passed from the time that a proposal for approval of the merger is filed with the Registrar of Companies. In 
addition, a creditor can seek to block a merger on the ground that the surviving company will not be able to meet its obligations.  

The Israeli Companies Law also provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company, such as our company, must be made 
by means of a tender offer, if as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become the holder of 25% or more of the voting rights 
in the company (unless there is another 25% shareholder of the company, or the shares are acquired from another 25% shareholder). 
Similarly, the Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company, such as our company, must be made 
by means of a tender offer, if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would hold more than 45% of the shares of the company 
(unless there is another holder of more than 45% of the shares of the company, or the shares are acquired from another holder of more 
than 45% of the shares of the company). These rules do not apply if the acquisition takes the form of a merger.  

Regulations promulgated under the Israeli Companies Law provide that these tender offer requirements do not apply to 

companies whose shares are listed for trading outside of Israel if, according to the law in the country in which the shares are traded or 
the rules and regulations of the stock exchange on which the shares are traded:  

•

•

  There is a limitation on acquisition of any level of control of the company, or 

  The acquisition of any level of control requires the purchaser to make a tender offer to the public. 

The Israeli Companies Law provides specific rules and procedures for the acquisition of shares held by minority shareholders if 

the majority shareholder holds more than 90% of the outstanding shares. Israeli tax law treats specified acquisitions, including a 
stock-for-stock swap between an Israeli company and a foreign company, less favorably than does U.S. tax law.  

In addition, our articles of association contain certain provisions that may make it more difficult to acquire us, such as the ability 

of our board of directors to issue preferred shares, as described above under the caption “Description of preferred shares.”  

Our articles of association provide that we may not engage in any business combination with an interested shareholder for a 

period of three years after the date that the shareholder became an interested shareholder, unless:  

•

  Prior to that date, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the 

shareholder becoming an interested shareholder; or 

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•

  Upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested 

shareholder owned at least 75% of our voting shares outstanding at the time the transaction commenced. 

A business combination includes:  

•

•

•

•

•

  Any merger or consolidation between the interested shareholder and us; 

  Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 10% or more of our assets in a transaction 

involving the interested shareholder; 

  Subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in our issuance or transfer of any of our shares to the interested 

shareholder; 

  Any transaction in which we are involved that has an effect of increasing the proportionate share of our shares, of any class 

or series, beneficially owned by the interested shareholder; or 

  The receipt by the interested shareholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial 

benefits provided by or through us. 

In general, the articles of association define an interested shareholder as any entity or person that beneficially owns 15% or more 

of our outstanding voting shares and any entity or person affiliated with, controlling or controlled by such entity or person.  

In addition, our shareholders are not able to cumulate votes at a meeting, which may require the acquirer to hold more shares to 

gain representation on the board of directors than if cumulative voting were permitted.  

Approval of certain transactions; obligations of directors, officers and shareholders  

Officers and directors. The Israeli Companies Law codifies the fiduciary duties that office holders, which under the law, 

includes our directors and executive officers, owe to a company.  

Fiduciary duties. An office holder’s fiduciary duties consist of a duty of loyalty and a duty of care.  

The duty of loyalty requires an office holder to act in good faith and for the benefit of the company, including to avoid any 
conflict of interest between the office holder’s position in the company and personal affairs, and proscribes any competition with the 
company or the exploitation of any business opportunity of the company in order to receive personal advantage for himself or herself 
or for others. This duty also requires an office holder to reveal to the company any information or documents relating to the 
company’s affairs that the office holder has received due to his or her position as an office holder. A company may approve any of the 
acts mentioned above; provided, however, that all the following conditions apply: the office holder acted in good faith; neither the act 
nor the approval of the act prejudices the good of the company; and the office holder disclosed the essence of his or her personal 
interest in the act, including any substantial fact or document, in a reasonable time before the date for discussion of the approval. A 
director is required to exercise independent discretion in fulfilling his or her duties and may not be party to a voting agreement with 
respect to his or her vote as a director. A violation of these requirements is deemed a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty.  

The duty of care requires an office holder to act with a level of care that a reasonable office holder in the same position would 
employ under the same circumstances. This includes the duty to use reasonable means to obtain information regarding the advisability 
of a given action submitted for his or her approval or performed by virtue of his or her position and all other relevant information 
material to these actions.  

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Disclosure of personal interest. The Israeli Companies Law requires that an office holder promptly disclose to the company any 

personal interest that he or she may have and all related material information or documents known to him or her, in connection with 
any existing or proposed transaction by the company. “Personal interest,” as defined by the Israeli Companies Law, includes a 
personal interest of any person in an act or transaction of the company, including a personal interest of his relative or of a corporation 
(i) in which that person or a relative of that person is a 5% or greater shareholder, a holder of 5% or more of the voting rights, or a 
director or general manager, or (ii) in which he or she has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager, and 
includes shares for which the person has the right to vote pursuant to a power-of-attorney. “Personal interest” does not apply to a 
personal interest stemming merely from holding shares in the company.  

The office holder must immediately make the disclosure of his or her personal interest and no later than the first meeting of the 

company’s board of directors that discusses the particular transaction. This duty does not apply to the personal interest of a relative of 
the office holder in a transaction unless it is an “extraordinary transaction.” The Israeli Companies Law defines an “extraordinary 
transaction” as a transaction that is not in the ordinary course of business of a company, or that is not on market terms, or which is 
likely to have a material impact on the company’s profitability, assets or liabilities. The Israeli Companies Law defines a “relative” as 
a spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, descendant and the descendant, sibling or parent of a spouse, as well as the spouse of any of the 
foregoing.  

Approvals. The Israeli Companies Law provides that a transaction with an office holder or a transaction in which an office 

holder has a personal interest requires board approval, unless the transaction is an extraordinary transaction or the articles of 
association provide otherwise. The transaction may not be approved if it is adverse to the company’s interest. If the transaction is an 
extraordinary transaction, or if it concerns exculpation, indemnification, insurance or compensation of an office holder, then the 
approval of the company’s compensation committee and the board of directors is required, except if the compensation arrangement is 
an immaterial amendment to an existing compensation arrangement of an officer who is not a director (in which case the approval of 
the compensation committee is sufficient). Exculpation, indemnification, insurance or compensation of a director or the Chief 
Executive Officer also requires shareholder approval.  

A person who has a personal interest in a matter that is considered at a meeting of the board of directors or the audit committee 

generally may not attend that meeting or vote on that matter, unless a majority of the board of directors or the audit committee also 
has a personal interest in the matter or if such person is invited by the chairman of the board of directors or audit committee, as 
applicable, to present the matter being considered. If a majority of the board of directors has a personal interest in the transaction, all 
directors may attend that meeting and vote, and a shareholder approval also would be required.  

Shareholders. The Israeli Companies Law imposes the same disclosure requirements described above on a controlling 

shareholder of a public company that it imposes on an office holder. For this purpose, a “controlling shareholder” is any shareholder 
who has the ability to direct the company’s actions, including any shareholder holding 25% or more of the voting rights, if no other 
shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights in the company. Two or more shareholders with a personal interest in the 
approval of the same transaction are deemed to be one shareholder.  

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Under the Israeli Companies Law, a shareholder has a duty to act in good faith toward the company and other shareholders and 

refrain from abusing his or her power in the company, including, among other things, voting in the general meeting of shareholders on 
the following matters:  

•

•

•

•

  Any amendment to the articles of association, 

  An increase of the company’s authorized share capital, 

  A merger, or 

  Approval of interested party transactions that require shareholder approval. 

In addition, any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who can determine the outcome of a shareholder vote, and any 
shareholder who under the company’s articles of association can appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder, is under a 
duty to act with fairness towards the company. The Israeli Companies Law provides that a breach of the duty of fairness will be 
governed by the laws governing breach of contract. The Israeli Companies Law does not describe the substance of this duty.  

Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors; Executive Compensation Policy  

In accordance with the Israeli Companies Law, we have adopted a compensation policy for our executive officers and directors. 

The purpose of the policy is to describe our overall compensation strategy for our executive officers and directors and to provide 
guidelines for setting their compensation, as prescribed by the Companies Law. In accordance with the Companies Law, the policy 
must be reviewed and readopted at least once every three years.  

Approval of the compensation committee, the board of directors and our shareholders, in that order, is required for the adoption 

of the compensation policy. The shareholder’s approval must include the majority of shares voted at the meeting. In addition to the 
majority vote, the shareholder approval must satisfy either of two additional tests:  

•

•

  the majority includes at least a majority of the shares voted by shareholders other than our controlling shareholders 

or shareholders who have a personal interest in the adoption of the compensation policies; or 

  the total number of shares held by non-controlling shareholders and disinterested shareholders that voted against the 

adoption of the compensation policies, does not exceed 2% of the aggregate voting rights of our company. 

Under the Companies Law, the compensation arrangements for officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer) who are not 
directors require the approval of the compensation committee and the board of directors; provided, however, that if the compensation 
arrangement is not in compliance with our executive compensation policy, the arrangement may only be approved by the 
compensation committee and the board of directors for special reasons to be noted, and the compensation arrangement shall also 
require a special shareholder approval. If the compensation arrangement is an immaterial amendment to an existing compensation 
arrangement of an officer who is not a director and is in compliance with our executive compensation policy, the approval of the 
compensation committee is sufficient.  

Arrangements regarding the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and directors require the approval of the compensation 

committee, the board and the shareholders, in that order. In certain limited cases, the compensation of a new Chief Executive Officer 
who is not a director may be approved without approval of the shareholders.  

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Indemnification and insurance of directors and officers; limitations on liability 

Our articles of association allow us to indemnify, exculpate and insure our office holders to the fullest extent permitted under the 

Israeli Companies Law.  

Under the Israeli Companies Law, we may indemnify an office holder for any of the following liabilities or expenses that they 

may incur due to an act performed or failure to act in his or her capacity as our office holder:  

•

•

  Monetary liability imposed on the office holder in favor of a third party in a judgment, including a settlement or an arbitral 

award confirmed by a court. 

  Reasonable legal costs, including attorneys’ fees, expended by an office holder as a result of an investigation or proceeding 

instituted against the office holder by a competent authority, provided that such investigation or proceeding concludes 
without the filing of an indictment against the office holder, and either: 

•

•

  No financial liability was imposed on the office holder in lieu of criminal proceedings, or 

  Financial liability was imposed on the office holder in lieu of criminal proceedings, but the alleged criminal offense 

does not require proof of criminal intent. 

•

  Reasonable legal costs, including attorneys’ fees, expended by the office holder or for which the office holder is charged 

by a court: 

•

•

•

  In an action brought against the office holder by us, on our behalf or on behalf of a third party, 

  In a criminal action in which the office holder is found innocent, or 

  In a criminal action in which the office holder is convicted, but in which proof of criminal intent is not required. 

A company may indemnify an office holder in respect of these liabilities either in advance of an event or following an event. If a 
company undertakes to indemnify an office holder in advance of an event, the indemnification, other than litigation expenses, must be 
limited to foreseeable events in light of the company’s actual activities when the company undertook such indemnification, and 
reasonable amounts or standards, as determined by the board of directors.  

A company may obtain insurance for an office holder against liabilities incurred in his or her capacity as an office holder. These 

liabilities include a breach of duty of care to the company or a third party including a breach arising out of negligent conduct of the 
office holder, a breach of duty of loyalty and any monetary liability imposed on the office holder in favor of a third party. A company 
may also exculpate an office holder from a breach of duty of care in advance of that breach. Our articles of association provide for 
exculpation both in advance or retroactively, to the extent permitted under Israeli law. A company may not exculpate an office holder 
from a breach of duty of loyalty towards the company or from a breach of duty of care concerning dividend distribution or a purchase 
of the company’s shares by the company or other entities controlled by the company.  

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a company may indemnify or insure an office holder against a breach of duty of loyalty only 

to the extent that the office holder acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the action would not prejudice the 
company. In addition, a company may not indemnify, insure or exculpate an office holder against a breach of duty of care if 
committed intentionally or recklessly (excluding mere negligence), or committed with the intent to derive an unlawful personal gain, 
or for a fine or forfeit levied against the office holder in connection with a criminal offense.  

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We have resolved to indemnify our directors and officers, to the extent permitted by law and by our articles of association, for 

liabilities not covered by insurance, that are of certain enumerated types of events, and subject to limitations as to amount.  

We have also entered into indemnification, insurance and exculpation agreements with our directors and officers undertaking to 

indemnify, insure and exculpate them to the full extent permitted by the Israeli Companies Law.  

Charitable Contributions  

Our Articles of Association authorize the company to contribute reasonable amounts to worthy causes. In accordance with our 

charitable contribution policy, we contribute from time to time to various worthy causes. During 2013, the list of entities to which we 
contributed included the Tel Aviv University, Youth University of Tel Aviv University and the Rashi Foundation. Gil Shwed, our 
founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Tel Aviv University, the Chairman of the 
Board of Trustees of the Youth University of Tel Aviv University and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yeholot Association 
Founded by the Rashi Foundation whose charter is, among other things, to reduce the dropout rates in high schools.  

Borrowing power: amendment of rights of ordinary shares  

Our articles of association grant broad powers to the board of directors to have us borrow, repay borrowings, make guarantees 

and grant security interests in borrowings. The rights and provisions of the ordinary shares may be cancelled, added to, restricted, 
amended, or otherwise altered with a vote of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding ordinary shares voting at a duly convened 
shareholders’ meeting.  

Availability of Annual Report on Form 20-F  

In accordance with our articles of association and NASDAQ rules, we post our Annual Report on Form 20-F on our Web site 

(www.checkpoint.com), rather than mail it to shareholders.  

Material Contracts  

None  

Israeli Taxation, Foreign Exchange Regulation and Investment Programs  

The following is a summary of the principal Israeli tax laws applicable to us, the Israeli Government programs from which we 
benefit, and Israeli foreign exchange regulations. This section also contains a discussion of material Israeli tax consequences to our 
shareholders who are not residents or citizens of Israel. This summary does not discuss all aspects of Israeli tax law that may be 
relevant to a particular investor in light of his or her personal investment circumstances, or to some types of investors subject to 
special treatment under Israeli law. Examples of investors subject to special treatment under Israeli law include residents of Israel, 
traders in securities, or persons who own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of our outstanding voting capital, all of whom are 
subject to special tax regimes not covered in this discussion. Some parts of this discussion are based on new tax legislation that has 
not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation. The discussion should not be construed as legal or professional tax advice 
and does not cover all possible tax consequences.  

82 

  
You are urged to consult your own tax advisor as to the Israeli and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership 

and disposition of our ordinary shares, including, in particular, the effect of any non-Israeli, state or local taxes.  

General corporate tax structure in Israel  

Taxable income of Israeli companies is subject to tax at the rate of 24% in 2011, 25% in 2012 and 2013, and 26.5% in 2014 and 

onwards.  

However, as discussed below, the rate is effectively reduced for income derived from our Approved Enterprise, Privileged 

Enterprise and Preferred Enterprise plans.  

Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (“Investment Law”)  

Various production and development facilities of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. have been granted “Approved 
Enterprise” and “Privileged Enterprise” status, which provides certain benefits, including tax exemptions and reduced tax rates for a 
defined period.  

Distribution of dividends derived from income that was taxed at reduced rates, but not tax-exempt, does not result in additional 

tax consequences to the company.  

In December 2010, new legislation amending the Investment Law was adopted effective January 1, 2011. According to the new 

legislation, the benefit tracks in the Investment Law were modified and a flat tax rate applies to preferred income produced or 
generated by a preferred company from the effective date. Commencing 2012, the Company elected for the Preferred Enterprise 
regime to apply (the waiver is non-recourse) and the Company’s entire preferred income is subject to the tax rates as follows: 2012—
15%, 2013—12.5% and 2014 and thereafter—16%. The profits of these Industrial Companies will be freely distributable as 
dividends, subject to a 15%-20% withholding tax (or lower, under an applicable tax treaty). However, upon the distribution of a 
dividend from Preferred Income to an Israeli company, no withholding tax will be remitted.  

Income from sources other than the Approved, Privileged or Preferred Enterprise programs is subject to tax at regular Israeli 

corporate tax rate.  

We have derived, and expect to continue to derive, a substantial portion of our operating income from our Preferred Enterprise 

facilities. We are, therefore, eligible for reduced tax rates for an unlimited period.  

The benefits available to a Preferred Enterprise are conditioned upon terms stipulated in the Investment Law and the related 
regulations. If we do not fulfill these conditions, in whole or in part, the benefits can be cancelled, and we may be required to refund 
the benefits in an amount linked to the Israeli consumer price index plus interest. We believe that our Preferred Enterprise program 
currently operates, in compliance with all applicable conditions and criteria, but we cannot assure you that they will continue to do so. 

Shareholders who receive dividends derived from Approved Enterprise, Privileged Enterprise or Preferred Enterprise income are 

generally taxed at a rate of 15%-20%, which is withheld and paid by the  

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company paying the dividend, if the dividend is distributed during the benefits period or within the following 12 years. The limitation 
does not apply to a Preferred Enterprise or to a Foreign Investors Company, which is a company that more than 25% of its shares 
owned by non-Israeli residents. Upon the distribution of a dividend derived from Preferred Enterprise to an Israeli company, no 
withholding tax will be remitted.  

Pursuant to a temporary tax relief initiated by the Israeli government, a company that elected by November 11, 2013, to pay a 
reduced corporate tax rate as set forth in the temporary tax relief with respect to undistributed exempt income generated under the 
Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (the “Investment Law”) accumulated by the company until December 31, 
2011 (“Trapped Earnings”) is entitled to distribute a dividend from such income without being required to pay additional corporate 
tax with respect to such dividend. A company that has so elected must make certain qualified investments in Israel over five-year 
period. A company that has elected to apply the temporary tax relief cannot withdraw from its election.  

On November 11, 2013, we reached a settlement agreement with the ITA which provided (i) the full settlement of all disputes 
with the ITA with respect to the tax years 2002 through 2011, and (ii) the release of all the Trapped Earnings through the year ended 
December 31, 2011. In accordance with Section 52B of the Investments Law and the temporary tax relief, we are obligated to invest 
approximately $111,000 during five years period in the following forms (i) production assets (as defined therein), (ii) research and 
development activities in Israel and/or (iii) employment payments for new employees (other than office holders) added after 2011. 
Any amount not invested in the five years period, should be paid at the end of the 5 years, linked to the Israeli CPI and bears 4% 
annual interest since the election date.  

Foreign Exchange Regulations  

Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, an Israeli company calculates its tax liability in U.S. dollars according to certain 

orders. The tax liability, as calculated in U.S. dollars is translated into NIS according to the exchange rate as of December 31st of 
each year.  

Dividends, if any, paid to the holders of our ordinary shares, and any amounts payable upon our dissolution, liquidation or 
winding up, as well as the proceeds of any sale in Israel of our ordinary shares to an Israeli resident, may be paid in non-Israeli 
currency. If these amounts are paid in Israeli currency, they may be converted into freely repatriable U.S. dollars at the rate of 
exchange prevailing at the time of conversion. In addition, the statutory framework for the potential imposition of exchange controls 
has not been eliminated, and may be restored at any time by administrative action.  

Equity Based Compensation  

Effective from January 1, 2003, the Tax Reform Legislation enables a company to grant options/shares through one of three tax 

tracks:  

(a) the income tax track through a trustee pursuant to which the employee pays income tax rate (according to the marginal tax 
rate of the employee—up to 45% tax in 2011 and 48% in 2012 and thereafter) plus payments to the National Insurance Institute and 
health tax on the profit gained upon the earlier to occur of the transfer of the options/shares or the underlying shares from the trustee 
to the employee or the sale of the options/shares or the underlying shares by the trustee, and the company may recognize expenses 
pertaining to the options/shares for tax purposes. The shares/options (or upon their exercise, the underlying  

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shares), must be held by a trustee for a period of 12 months commencing from the date of which the options/shares were issued and 
deposited with the trustee. As of January 1, 2013, the marginal tax rate (48%) of an individual will increase by 2% in the event the 
employee’s taxable income in any tax year exceeds the amount of NIS 800,000 (linked to the CPI each year) including capital gains 
from marketable securities, dividends and interest income; or  

(b) the capital gains tax track through a trustee pursuant to which the employee pays capital gains tax at a rate of 25% on the 
capital profit portion and marginal tax rate (including payments to the National Insurance Institute and health tax) on the income 
portion (in general, the income portion is the profit derived from the difference between the average market value of the share 30 days 
before the allotment date and the exercise price of the option/share) upon the earlier to occur of the transfer of the options/shares or 
the underlying shares from the trustee to the employee or the sale of the options/shares or the underlying shares by the trustee. (On the 
capital profit, the employee is not required to make payments to the National Insurance Institute and health tax). In this track, on the 
capital profit, the Company may not recognize expenses pertaining to the options/shares for tax purposes but may do so on the income 
portion. The shares/options (or upon their exercise, the underlying shares), must be held by a trustee for a period of 24 months 
commencing from the date of which the options/shares were issued and deposited with the trustee (with respect to options/shares 
granted before January 1, 2006, a period of 30 months commencing from the date of which the options/shares were granted or a 
period of 24 months commencing from the date of which the options/shares were issued and deposited with the trustee). As of 
January 1, 2013, the capital gain tax rate percentage increased by 2% in the event the employee’s taxable income in any tax year 
exceeds the amount of NIS 800,000 (linked to the CPI each year ) including capital gains from marketable securities, dividends and 
interest income; or  

(c) the income tax track without a trustee pursuant to which the employee pays income tax rate (according to the marginal tax 
rate of the employee up to 45% tax in 2011 and 48% in 2012 and thereafter) plus payments to the National Insurance Institute and 
health tax on the profit at the allotment date, and pays capital gains tax at a rate of 25% or 30% (pursuant to 2011 tax reform 
legislation, the capital tax rate increased from 20% or 25% in 2011 to 25% or 30% in 2012 and thereafter) on the capital profit upon 
the sale of the underlying shares/shares, and the company may not recognize expenses pertaining to the capital gain for tax purposes 
but may recognize expenses pertaining to the profit at the allotment date. As of January 1, 2013, the marginal tax rate (48%) of an 
individual or the capital gain tax rate percentage, as applicable, increased by 2% in the event the employee’s taxable income in any 
tax year exceeds the amount of NIS 800,000 (linked to the CPI each year) including capital gains from marketable securities, 
dividends and interest income.  

In accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Tax Ordinance, if a company has selected the capital gains track, the company 
must continue granting options/shares under the selected capital gains track until the end of the year following the year in which the 
first grant of options/shares under that trustee track will be made.  

We implement the capital gain track on RSUs and stock options granted to our employees and directors.  

We implement the income tax track without a trustee on our ESPP.  

Notwithstanding the above, the company may at any time also grant options/shares under the provisions of the income tax track 

without a trustee.  

85 

  
The above rules apply only to employees, including officeholders but excluding controlling shareholders.  

Controlling shareholders will be taxable under section 3(i) to the tax ordinance, according to which, the individual pays income 

tax rate (according to the marginal tax rate of the individual- up to 45% in 2011 and 48% in 2012 and thereafter) on the profit upon 
the sale of the underlying shares/shares. As of January 1, 2013, the marginal tax rate (48%) of an individual increased by 2% in the 
event the employee’s taxable income in any tax year exceeds the amount of NIS 800,000 (linked to the CPI each year) including 
capital gains from marketable securities, dividends and interest income.  

Taxation of Non-Israeli Subsidiaries  

Non-Israeli subsidiaries are generally taxed based upon tax laws applicable in their countries of residence. In accordance with 
the provisions of Israeli-controlled foreign corporation rules, certain income of a non-Israeli subsidiary, if the subsidiary’s primary 
source of income is passive income (such as interest, dividends, royalties, rental income or income from capital gains), may be 
deemed distributed as a dividend to the Israeli parent company and consequently is subject to Israeli taxation. An Israeli company that 
is subject to Israeli taxes on such deemed dividend income of its non-Israeli subsidiaries may generally receive a credit for non-Israeli 
income taxes paid by the subsidiary in its country of residence or are to be withheld from the actual dividend distributions.  

Taxation of Non-Israeli Shareholders on Receipt of Dividends  

Under Israeli tax law, a distribution of dividends from income attributable to an Approved Enterprise, Privileged Enterprise or 

Preferred Enterprise will be subject to tax in Israel at the rate of 15%-20%, which is withheld and paid by the company paying the 
dividend, if the dividend is distributed during the benefits period or within the following 12 years (this limitation does not apply to a 
Foreign Investors Company or to a preferred Enterprise). However, if the dividend is attributable partly to income derived from an 
Approved Enterprise, and partly to other sources of income, the withholding rate will be a blended rate reflecting the relative portions 
of the two types of income. Any distribution of dividends from income that is not attributable to an Approved Enterprise, Privileged 
Enterprise or Preferred Enterprise will be subject to tax in Israel at the rate of 25%, except that dividends distributed to an individual 
who is deemed “a substantial shareholder” will be subject to tax at the rate of 30%.  

Under the United States-Israel tax treaty, the maximum tax on dividends paid to a holder of ordinary shares who is a United 
States resident is 25%. Dividends received by a United States company that holds at least 10% of our voting rights, will be subject to 
withholding tax at the rate of 12.5%, provided that certain other conditions in the tax treaty are met (or at the tax rate of 15% in 
respect of dividends paid from income attributable to our Approved Enterprises or Privileged Enterprise). Dividends distributed to 
other foreign shareholders may be subject to different withholding tax rates based on the applicable tax treaty.  

A non-resident of Israel who has interest or dividend income derived from or accrued in Israel, from which tax was withheld at 

the source, is generally exempt from the duty to file tax returns in Israel in respect of such income, provided such income was not 
derived from a business conducted in Israel by the taxpayer.  

Capital Gains Taxes Applicable to Non-Israeli Shareholders  

Capital gains from the sale of our ordinary shares by non-Israeli shareholders are exempt from Israeli taxation under the Israeli 

domestic tax law, provided that the capital gain is not derived from a  

86 

  
permanent establishment in Israel. In addition, the United States-Israel tax treaty exempts United States residents who hold less than 
10% of our voting rights, and who held less than 10% of our voting rights during the 12 months prior to a sale of their shares, from 
Israeli capital gains tax in connection with such sale under certain circumstances.  

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations  

The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership or disposition 

of our ordinary shares to a holder who is:  

•

•

•

•

  A citizen or resident (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of the United States; 

  A corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any 

of its states; 

  An estate, if the estate’s income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or 

  A trust, if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons (e.g., a 

U.S. citizen, resident, or corporation) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions. 

We refer to any of the above as a “U.S. Shareholder”.  

This discussion is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, referred to as the “Code”, U.S. 
Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code, all as in effect as of the 
date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. This discussion generally considers only U.S. Shareholders who will hold the ordinary 
shares as capital assets. The discussion does not consider:  

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

  Aspects of U.S. federal income taxation relevant to U.S. Shareholders by reason of their particular circumstances 

(including potential application of the alternative minimum tax). 

  U.S. Shareholders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as financial institutions, 

insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or entities treated as partnerships and their 
partners and foreign individuals or entities. 

  U.S. Shareholders who own 10% or more of our outstanding voting shares, either directly or by attribution. 

  U.S. Shareholders who hold our ordinary shares as part of a hedging, straddle, or conversion transaction. 

  U.S. Shareholders who acquire their ordinary shares in a compensatory transaction. 

  U.S. Shareholders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. 

  Any aspect of state, local, or non-U.S. tax law. 

The following summary does not address all of the tax consequences of owning or disposing of our ordinary shares to you 

based on your individual tax circumstances. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax advisor as to the particular tax 
consequences to you of owning or disposing of our ordinary shares, including the effects of applicable state, local, or non-U.S. 
tax laws and possible changes in the tax laws.  

87 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Paid on the Ordinary Shares 

A U.S. Shareholder, as defined above, will generally be required to include in gross income the amount of any distributions paid 
in respect of the ordinary shares to the extent that the distributions are paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as 
determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The amount of the distribution would include any Israeli taxes withheld as part of 
the distributions. A maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (plus potentially an additional 3.8% on certain net investment 
income as described below) will generally apply for individual shareholders and 35% for corporate shareholders if certain holding 
period requirements are met. The 20% maximum individual shareholder rate is applicable for “qualified dividend income” received 
by an individual as well as certain trusts and estates. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by a U.S. 
corporation or a “qualified foreign corporation.” A non-U.S. corporation, such as ours, generally will be considered to be a qualified 
foreign corporation if (i) our shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, or (ii) we are eligible 
for the benefits of a comprehensive U.S. income tax treaty determined to be satisfactory to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The 
U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have determined that the United States-Israel tax treaty is 
satisfactory for this purpose. In addition, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have determined that 
ordinary shares are considered readily tradable on an established securities market if they are listed on an established securities market
in the United States, such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The information returns, reporting the dividends paid to U.S. 
Shareholders, will identify the amount of dividends eligible for the reduced rates.  

Any distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated first as non-taxable return of capital, reducing a U.S. 

Shareholder’s tax basis in the ordinary shares to the extent of the distributions, and then as capital gain from a sale or exchange of the 
ordinary shares. Our dividends will generally not qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. Any cash 
distribution paid in Israeli Shekels will equal the U.S. dollar value of the distribution, calculated based on the spot exchange rate in 
effect on the date of the distribution.  

Credit for Israeli Taxes Withheld  

Subject to certain conditions and limitations, a U.S. Shareholder may be eligible for a credit against United States federal 

income tax liability for any Israeli tax withheld or paid with respect to dividends on the ordinary shares. The Code provides 
limitations on the amount of foreign tax credits. These limitations include extensive separate computation rules under which foreign 
tax credits allowable with respect to specific categories of income cannot exceed the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable 
with respect to each such category of income. A shareholder who does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit may instead claim a 
deduction for Israeli income tax withheld or paid, but only if the shareholder elects to do so for all foreign income taxes in that year. 
Special rules for determining a U.S. Shareholder’s foreign tax credit limitation apply in the case of qualified dividend income. Rules 
similar to those concerning adjustments to the foreign tax credit limitation to reflect any capital gain rate differential also apply to any 
qualified dividend income. The rules relating to foreign tax credits are complex and each shareholder should consult his, her, or its 
own tax advisor to determine whether and if the specific shareholder would be entitled to this credit.  

Disposition of the Ordinary Shares  

The sale or exchange of ordinary shares will generally result in the recognition of capital gain or loss. The amount of gain or loss 
is the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and the tax basis in the ordinary shares. If a U.S. Shareholder’s 
holding period for the ordinary shares exceeds  

88 

  
one year at the time of the disposition, the amount of the shareholder’s gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss. 
Long-term capital gains of non-corporate shareholders realized upon a sale or exchange of ordinary shares generally will be subject to 
a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% (plus potentially an additional 3.8% on certain net investment income as described 
below). The deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitation. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Shareholder on a sale or 
exchange of ordinary shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Under the 
United States-Israel tax treaty, gain derived from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of ordinary shares by a holder, who is a 
resident of the United States for purposes of the treaty and who sells the ordinary shares within Israel, may be treated as foreign 
source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.  

Additional Tax on Investment Income  

U.S. Shareholders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be subject to a 3.8% 

tax on certain net investment income, including, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition 
of our ordinary shares, subject to certain limitations and exceptions.  

Passive Foreign Investment Company Status  

Based upon our income, assets and activities, we believe that we are not currently, and have not been in prior years, a passive 
foreign investment company (PFIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We do not currently anticipate that we will be a PFIC for 
any subsequent year. We would be classified as a PFIC if, for any taxable year, either:  

•

•

  75% or more of our gross income in the taxable year is passive income, or 

  50% or more of the average percentage of our assets held during the taxable year produce or are held for the production of 

passive income. 

For this purpose, passive income includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, annuities and the excess of gain over losses from 

the disposition of assets that produce passive income.  

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you held shares as a U.S. Shareholder and you did not timely elect to treat 
us as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code or elect to mark the ordinary shares to market, you would be subject 
to special tax rules that have a penalizing effect on the receipt of an “excess distribution” on the ordinary shares. Generally, a 
distribution is considered an excess distribution to the extent it exceeds 125% of the average annual distributions in the prior three 
years. You would also be subject to special tax rules that have a penalizing effect on the gain from the disposition of the ordinary 
shares, including the treatment if any such gain as ordinary income, not capital gain.  

A U.S. Shareholder may be able to mitigate certain adverse tax consequences of holding shares in a PFIC by making a “qualified 
electing fund,” “deemed sale” or “mark-to-market” election. However, as a U.S. Shareholder you may make a qualified electing fund 
election only if we agree to furnish certain tax information annually. We do not presently prepare or provide this information, and this 
information may not be available to you if we are subsequently determined to be a PFIC. A number of specific rules and requirements 
apply to a U.S. Shareholder under either of the elections available to owners of a PFIC. You are urged to consult your tax advisor 
concerning these elections.  

89 

  
  
  
 
 
Information Reporting and Back up Withholding  

Dividend payments and proceeds from the sale or disposal of ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the 
Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. federal backup withholding. However, backup withholding will not apply to a holder who 
furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number or certificate of foreign status and makes any other required certification, or who is 
otherwise exempt from backup withholding (for example, a corporation). Any U.S. Shareholder who is required to establish exempt 
status generally must file IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification). Amounts withheld as 
backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. Shareholder’s federal income tax liability. A U.S. Shareholder may obtain a 
refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the Internal 
Revenue Service and furnishing any required information.  

Documents on Display  

This report and other information filed or to be filed by us can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities 

maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at:  

Securities and Exchange Commission  
100 F Street, NE  
Public Reference Room  
Washington, D.C. 20549  

For further information on the operation of the public reference room and copy charges, the Securities and Exchange 

Commission may be contacted at 1-800-SEC-0330.  

The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a Web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information 
statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
using its EDGAR system. We intend to post our Annual Report on Form 20-F on our website (www.checkpoint.com) promptly 
following the filing of our Annual Report on Form 20-F with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  

Additionally, documents referred to in this Annual Report on Form 20-F may be inspected at our principal executive offices 

located at 5 Ha’Solelim Street, Tel Aviv 6789705, Israel.  

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 

We are exposed to market risks that result primarily from weak economic conditions in the markets in which we sell our 

products, and from changes in exchange rates or in interest rates.  

As of December 31, 2013, securities representing 4.1% of our investments portfolios are rated as AAA; securities representing 

50.2% of the portfolio are rated as AA; securities representing 45.0% of the portfolio are rated as A; and securities representing 0.7% 
of the portfolio are rated as BB.  

90 

  
  
The table below provides information regarding our investments in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, as of 

December 31, 2013:  

Maturity

2014

2015

2016
(in thousands)

2017

2018

2019 
onwards    

Total 
Amortized 
cost

Fair 
Value at 
Dec. 31, 2013 

   $ 593,218     $826,826     $689,039     $332,473     $121,176     —       $2,562,732     $2,565,099  
93,900     $156,113     $170,502     $ 99,062     $ 16,042     —       $ 535,619     $ 535,415  
   $

   $

67,794     $ 3,007     $ 31,247     $ 6,969     $ 11,746     —       $ 120,763     $ 120,978  

   $ 408,432       —         —      
—       —       $ 408,432     $ 408,432  
   $1,163,344     $985,946     $890,788     $438,504     $148,964     —       $3,627,546     $3,629,924  

—      

Government and corporate 

debentures - fixed interest 
rates 

U.S. Agencies 
Government and corporate 

debentures - floating interest 
rates 

Short-term deposits, money 

market instruments & cash 

Total 

Foreign Currency Risk  

Most of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, and we incur most of our expenses in U.S. dollars, Euros, Swedish Krona, 
British Pounds and Israeli Shekels. According to the factors indicated in ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters,” our cash flow, sale 
price, sales market, expense, financing and inter-company transactions, and arrangement indicators, are predominantly denominated 
in U.S. dollars. In addition, the U.S. dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which we operate, and thus, the 
U.S. dollar is our functional and reporting currency.  

On our balance sheet, we convert into U.S. dollars all monetary accounts (principally liabilities) that are maintained in other 
currencies. For this conversion, we use the relevant foreign exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Any gain or loss that results from 
this conversion is reflected in the statement of income as financial income or financial expense, as appropriate.  

We measure and record non-monetary accounts in our balance sheet in U.S. dollars. For this measurement, we use the U.S. 
dollar value in effect at the date that the asset or liability was initially recorded in our balance sheet (the date of the transaction).  

We entered into forward contracts to hedge the exchange impacts on assets and liabilities denominated in Israeli Shekels, Euros, 
British Pounds, Swedish Krona and Japanese Yen. As of December 31, 2013, we had outstanding forward contracts that did not meet 
the requirement for hedge accounting, in the amount of $236.4 million. These contracts were for a period of up to twelve months. The 
net gains recognized in “financial income, net” during 2013 were $20.3 million.  

During 2013, we entered into forward contracts to hedge against the risk of overall changes in exchange rates on future cash 

flow from payments of payroll and related expenses denominated in Israeli Shekels. As of December 31, 2013, we had outstanding 
forward contracts in the notional amount of $29.6 million and their fair value amounted to $0.1 million. These contracts were for a 
period of up to twelve  

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months. These contracts met the requirement for cash flow hedge accounting and as such gains in the amount of $2.4 million were 
recognized when the related expense were incurred and classified in operating expenses during 2013.  

The Company’s operating expenses may be affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S dollar as it relates to foreign 
currencies; with Israel and Europe having the greatest potential impact. In managing our foreign exchange risk we periodically enter 
into foreign exchange hedging contracts. Our goal is to mitigate the potential exposure with these contracts. By way of example, a 
10% weakening in the value of the dollar relative to the currencies in which the Company’s operating expenses are denominated in 
2013 would result in an increase in operating expenses of $25 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This calculation 
assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar.  

Interest Rate Risk  

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment in marketable securities. Our 
marketable securities portfolio includes government and government agencies debt instruments (U.S., European and other) and 
corporate debt instruments. By policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.  

Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest bearing securities carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities 

may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less 
income than predicted if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our income from investments may decrease in the future in the 
event that interest rates fluctuate.  

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 

Not applicable.  

92 

  
  
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES 

There are no defaults, dividend arrearages, or delinquencies that are required to be disclosed.  

PART II 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS 

There are no material modifications to, or qualifications of, the rights of security holders that are required to be disclosed.  

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures  

As of December 31, 2013, we performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, 

including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure 
controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
“Exchange Act”)). Our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can 
provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating 
the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2013, to provide reasonable 
assurance that the information required to be disclosed in filings and submissions under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, 
summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that 
such information related to us and our consolidated subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to management, including the 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions about required disclosure.  

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting  

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in 
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide 
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes 
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and 
procedures that:  

•

•

  pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 

dispositions of our assets, 

  provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in 
accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and 

93 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
•

  provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of 

our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Our management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over 
financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or override of internal control. Accordingly, even 
effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement 
preparation, and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal 
control over financial reporting may vary over time.  

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013. In 

conducting its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management based its evaluation on the framework in “Internal 
Control – Integrated Framework” (the 1992 Framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO). Our management has concluded based on its assessment, that our internal control over financial reporting was 
effective as of December 31, 2013, based on these criteria.  

Our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer (A 

Member of EY Global), an independent registered public accounting firm which has issued an attestation report on the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting included elsewhere in this Annual report on Form 20-F.  

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

During the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 20-F, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting have 

occurred that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  

ITEM 16. Reserved. 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 

Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Yoav Chelouche and Irwin Federman are “audit committee financial experts”
and that they are independent under the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ Global Select Market rules.  

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS 

In March 2004, our board of directors adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our employees, directors and officers, 
including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer or controller and other individuals who 
perform similar functions. The Code of Ethics is updated from time to time. You can obtain a copy of our Code of Ethics without 
charge, by sending a written request to our investor relations department at Check Point Software Technologies, Inc., Attn: Investor 
Relations, 959 Skyway Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070 U.S.A; Tel: 650-628-2000; Email: ir@us.checkpoint.com  

94 

  
  
  
  
 
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 

Fees and Services  

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for the audit and other services provided by Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer, a 

member of EY Global and other members of EY Global during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 (in thousands):  

Year Ended December 31, 2012
Amount

Year Ended December 31, 2013
Percentage
Amount
(in thousands, except percentages)

Percentage

Audit fees (1) 
Audit-related fees 
Tax fees (2) 
Total 

$

$
$

748  
—    
188  
936  

80% 
—    
20% 
100% 

$

$
$

739  
—    
178  
917  

81% 
—    
19% 
100% 

(1)

(2)

“Audit fees” are fees for audit services for each of the years shown in this table, including fees associated with the annual audit 
(including audit of our internal control over financial reporting) and reviews of our quarterly financial results submitted on Form 
6-K, consultations on various accounting issues and audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory 
filings. 
“Tax fees” are fees for professional services rendered by our auditors for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice on actual 
or contemplated transactions, tax consulting associated with international transfer prices and employee benefits. 

Audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures  

Our audit committee chooses and engages our independent auditors to audit our financial statements, with the approval of our 

shareholders as required by Israeli law. Our audit committee adopted a policy requiring our management to obtain the audit 
committee’s approval before engaging our independent auditors to provide any audit or permitted non-audit services to us or our 
subsidiaries. This policy, which is designed to assure that such engagements do not impair the independence of our auditors, requires 
pre-approval from the audit committee on an annual basis for the various audit and non-audit services that may be performed by our 
auditors. In addition, the audit committee limited the aggregate amount of fees our auditors may have received during 2012 and 2013, 
and will receive during 2014 for non-audit services in certain categories.  

Our Chief Financial Officer reviews all management requests to engage our auditors to provide services and approves a request 

if the requested services are of those that have received pre-approval from our audit committee. We inform our audit committee of 
these approvals at least quarterly and prior to the commencement of the related services. If the services are not included in those 
categories that were pre-approved by our audit committee, then specific approval is needed from our audit committee before these 
services are commenced. Our audit committee is not permitted to approve the engagement of our auditors for any services that would 
be inconsistent with maintaining the auditors’ independence or that are not permitted by applicable law.  

95 

  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES 

None.  

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company repurchased ordinary shares for an aggregate amount of $3,073 million. On January 28, 
2014, the Company’s board of directors approved and authorized the repurchase of up to additional $1,000 million of the Company’s 
ordinary shares. Under the repurchase programs, share purchases may be made from time to time depending on market conditions, 
share price, trading volume and other factors and will be funded from available working capital.  

During 2013, we used $537.8 million to repurchase approximately 10.1 million ordinary shares which were repurchased under 

our ninth program. The table below provides detailed information.  

Period
January 1 – January 31 
February 1 – February 28 
March 1 – March 31 
April 1 – April 30 
May 1 – May 31 
June 1 – June 30 
July 1 – July 31 
August 1 – August 31 
September 1 – September 30 
October 1 – October 31 
November 1 – November 30 
December 1 – December 31 
Total 

(a) Total Number
of Ordinary 
Shares 
Purchased

(b) Average Price
per Ordinary 
Share

(c) Total Number of
Ordinary Shares 
Purchased as 
Part of Publicly 
Announced Plans 
or Programs

810,200    
959,900    
937,889    
965,958    
1,038,700    
913,081    
446,698    
853,100    
968,683    
817,400    
492,905    
944,320    
10,148,834    

48    
51    
50    
46    
48    
50    
53    
58    
57    
58    
60    
62    
53    

810,200    
959,900    
937,889    
965,958    
1,038,700    
913,081    
446,698    
853,100    
968,683    
817,400    
492,905    
944,320    
10,148,834    

(d) Approximate
Dollar Amount
Available for 
Repurchase 
under the Plans
or Programs
$ 655,054,400  
$ 606,137,270  
$ 559,183,347  
$ 514,682,890  
$ 464,559,504  
$ 419,196,251  
$ 396,005,319  
$ 347,029,793  
$ 291,514,141  
$ 244,340,510  
$ 214,712,007  
$ 156,394,310  

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT 

Not applicable.  

96 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
    
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

As a foreign private issuer whose shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we are permitted to follow certain 

home country corporate governance practices instead of certain requirements of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.  

We do not comply with the NASDAQ requirement that an issuer listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market have a quorum 

requirement that in no case be less than 33 1/3% of the outstanding shares of the company’s common voting stock. Our articles of 
association, consistent with the Israeli Companies Law, provide that the quorum requirements for an adjourned meeting are the 
presence of a minimum of two shareholders present in person. As such, our quorum requirements for an adjourned meeting do not 
comply with the NASDAQ requirements and we instead follow our home country practice.  

In addition, we follow our home country law, instead of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, which require that we obtain 

shareholder approval for the establishment or amendment of certain equity based compensation plans and arrangements. Under Israeli 
law and practice, in general, the approval of the board of directors is required for the establishment or amendment of equity based 
compensation plans and arrangements, unless the arrangement is for the benefit of a director or a controlling shareholder, in which 
case compensation committee or audit committee and shareholder approval are also required.  

As a foreign private issuer listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, we may also follow home country practice with regard 
to, among other things, composition of the board of directors, director nomination process and regularly scheduled meetings at which 
only independent directors are present. In addition, we may follow our home country practice, instead of the NASDAQ Global Select 
Market rules, which require that we obtain shareholder approval for certain dilutive events, such as for an issuance that will result in a 
change of control of the company, certain transactions other than a public offering involving issuances of a 20% or more interest in 
the company and certain acquisitions of the stock or assets of another company. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home 
country practice instead of NASDAQ rules must submit to NASDAQ in advance a written statement from an independent counsel in 
such issuer’s home country certifying that the issuer’s practices are not prohibited by the home country’s laws. In addition, a foreign 
private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or on its website each such 
requirement that it does not follow and describe the home country practice followed by the issuer instead of any such requirement. 
Accordingly, our shareholders may not be afforded the same protection as provided under NASDAQ’s corporate governance rules.  

See Item 3.D. “Key Information – Risk factors – Risks relating to our operations in Israel – As a foreign private issuer whose 

shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, etc.,” Item 6 “Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Board 
Practices” and Item 10 “Additional Information – Articles of Association and Israeli Companies Law” for a detailed description of the 
significant ways in which the registrant’s corporate governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. companies under the 
listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.  

97 

  
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Check Point has responded to Item 18.  

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

See pages F-1 to F-43 below.  

PART III 

98 

  
  
  
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS 

    1    Articles of Association of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (1)

    4.1

Form of Director Insurance, Indemnification and Exculpation Agreement between Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 
and its directors (2)

    4.2   Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan (3)

    4.3   Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 2005 United States Equity Incentive Plan (4)

    4.4   Zone Labs, Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (5)

    4.5   Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (6)

    4.6

A translation of an agreement between Tzlil Ad Ltd. and Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., for the purchase of the 
leasing rights of a building in Tel Aviv, Israel, dated as of March 19, 2006 (7)

    4.7   Amendment to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan, dated January 22, 2014

    4.8   Amendment to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 2005 United States Equity Incentive Plan, dated January 22, 2014

    4.9   Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. Executive Compensation Plan (8)

    8    List of subsidiaries (9)

  12.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  12.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  13    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

  15    Consent of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer, a Member of EY Global

101

XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) The following materials from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s 
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year-ended December 31, 2013, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements 
of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity/(Deficit) and 
Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, and (vi) Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves.

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Check Point’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Check Point’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of Check Point’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of Check Point’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005. 

99 

  
  
  
  
  
 
(5)

(6)
(7)
(8)

(9)

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2004. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of Check Point’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005. 
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of Check Point’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2006. 
Incorporated by reference to Annex A of Check Point’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
on May 23, 2013. 
Incorporated by reference to “Item 4 – Information on Check Point – Organizational Structure” in this Annual Report on Form 
20-F. 

100 

  
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES  

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2013  

IN U.S. DOLLARS  

INDEX  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

Consolidated Statements of Income 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Page

   F-2 - F-4

   F-5 - F-6

F-7

F-8

F-9

   F-10 - F-11

   F-12 - F-43

  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer 
3 Aminadav St. 
Tel-Aviv 6706703, Israel 

Tel: +972-3-6232525
Fax: +972-3-5622555 
ey.com

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of  

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.  

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (the “Company”) 
and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, 
changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. These financial 
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements based on our audits.  

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are 
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the 
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, 
as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our 
opinion.  

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial 
position of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and 
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 

Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control-
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission - 1992 framework and our 
report dated March 19, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.  

Tel-Aviv, Israel
March 28, 2014

/s/ KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
A Member of EY Global 

F-2 

  
  
  
  
 
 
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer 
3 Aminadav St. 
Tel-Aviv 6706703, Israel 

Tel: +972-3-6232525
Fax: +972-3-5622555 
ey.com

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING  

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of  

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.  

We have audited Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.’s (“Check Point” or the “Company”) internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission - 1992 framework (the “COSO criteria”). Check Point’s management is 
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal 
control over financial reporting included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.  

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 

Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control 
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control 
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the 
circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the 
assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being 
made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance 
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements.  

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of 
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  

F-3 

  
  
  
  
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer 
3 Aminadav St. 
Tel-Aviv 6706703, Israel 

Tel: +972-3-6232525
Fax: +972-3-5622555 
ey.com

In our opinion, the Company maintained in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 

December 31, 2013, based on the COSO criteria.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 

consolidated balance sheets of Check Point and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the related consolidated 
statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended December 31, 2013, and our report dated March 19, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.  

Tel-Aviv, Israel 
March 28, 2014 

/s/ KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
A Member of EY Global 

F-4 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
U.S. dollars in thousands  

ASSETS 

CURRENT ASSETS: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term deposits 
Marketable securities 
Trade receivables (net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales reserves of $ 18,011 and 

$ 20,856 at December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 

Total current assets 
LONG-TERM ASSETS: 

Marketable securities 
Property and equipment, net 
Severance pay fund 
Deferred tax asset, net 
Other intangible assets, net 
Goodwill 
Other assets 
Total long-term assets 
Total assets 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-5 

December 31,

2012

2013

   $ 574,802     $ 408,432  
—    
  758,382  

  233,057    
  695,478    

  373,755    
46,699    
  1,923,791    

  379,648  
53,856  
  1,600,318  

  1,792,027    
36,973    
6,038    
19,173    
19,211    
  727,875    
19,797    
  2,621,094    

  2,463,110  
37,991  
6,488  
13,557  
16,191  
  727,875  
20,907  
  3,286,119  
   $4,544,885     $4,886,437  

  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES: 
Trade payables 
Employees and payroll accruals 
Deferred revenues 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities

Total current liabilities 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: 
Deferred revenues 
Income tax accrual 
Deferred tax liability, net 
Accrued severance pay 

Total long-term liabilities 
Total liabilities 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: 

Share capital - 

Preferred shares, NIS 0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2012 

and 2013; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2013

Ordinary shares, NIS 0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 

2012 and 2013; 261,223,970 shares issued at December 31, 2012 and 2013; 
199,028,983 and 192,262,757 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2013, 
respectively 
Additional paid-in capital 
Treasury shares at cost - 62,194,987 and 68,961,213 ordinary shares at December 31, 2012 

and 2013, respectively 

Accumulated other comprehensive income 
Retained earnings 
Total shareholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-6 

December 31,

2012

2013

$

9,420   
90,946   
524,627   
237,655   
862,648    

65,063    
259,547    
1,039    
10,279    
335,928    
  1,198,576    

$

10,707  
113,350  
590,752  
272,045  
986,854  

80,871  
205,420  
308  
10,887  
297,486  
  1,284,340  

—      

—    

774    
693,212    

774  
774,917  

  (1,955,328)  
14,606    
  4,593,045    
  3,346,309    
$ 4,544,885    

  (2,421,278) 
1,839  
  5,245,845  
  3,602,097  
$ 4,886,437  

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except per share amounts)  

Revenues: 

Products and licenses 
Subscriptions 
Software updates and maintenance

Total revenues 
Operating expenses: 

Cost of products and licenses *) 
Cost of subscriptions *) 
Cost of software updates and maintenance *) 
Amortization of technology 
Total cost of revenues 
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 

Total operating expenses 
Operating income 
Financial income, net 
Gain on sale of marketable securities previously impaired 
Income before taxes on income 
Taxes on income 
Net income 
Basic earnings per ordinary share 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012

2013

2011

  $ 503,475     $ 505,280    
  162,931    
  674,484    
  1,342,695    

105,790    
637,721    
1,246,986    

$ 504,576  
  209,442  
  680,087  
  1,394,105  

81,043    
11,732    
51,737    
31,171    
175,683    
110,147    
253,800    
65,182    
604,812    
642,174    
39,023    
2,017    
683,214    
139,248    
$ 543,966    
2.63    
$
2.54    
$

87,097    
6,296    
61,786    
3,982    
  159,161    
  111,911    
  255,345    
69,743    
  596,160    
  746,535    
40,332    
—      
  786,867    
  166,867    
$ 620,000    
3.04    
$
2.96    
$

88,862  
5,480  
67,680  
612  
  162,634  
  121,764  
  276,067  
72,735  
  633,200  
  760,905  
34,003  
928  
  795,836  
  143,036  
$ 652,800  
3.34  
$
3.27  
$

*) Not including amortization of technology shown separately below. 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-7 

  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
    
    
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
U.S. dollars in thousands  

Net income 
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities: 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012
  $543,966    $620,000     $652,800  

2013

2011

Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax benefit (expense) of $480, 

$(674) and $3,369, respectively

Gains reclassified into earnings, net of tax expense of $519, $315 and $300, respectively  

(573)  
(2,170)  
(2,743)  

1,750    
(1,121)  
629    

(9,685) 
(2,011) 
(11,696) 

Change in unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges: 

Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax benefit (expense) of $3, 

$(181) and $(452), respectively

(14)  

1,220    

704  

Losses (gains) reclassified into earnings, net of tax benefit (expense) of $31, $(15) and 

$592, respectively 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 
Comprehensive income 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-8 

(177)  
(191)  
(2,934)  

(1,775) 
(1,071) 
(12,767) 
  $541,032     $621,956     $640,033  

107    
1,327    
1,956    

  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share amounts)  

     Additional

Balance as of January 1, 2011 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation       —      
Acquisition of non-controlling interest in Sofaware      —      
Issuance of treasury shares under stock plans, upon 

   Share     
   capital    
   $ 774     $580,276   $(1,306,382)  $

paid-in
capital

Treasury
shares
at cost

7,956  
(6,556) 

—    
—    

  Accumulated    
other
comprehensive   

income

Total

Retained      shareholders’
earnings

equity

15,584    $3,429,079     $ 2,719,331  
7,956  
(6,556) 

—        
—        

—     
—     

exercise of options and vesting of restricted 
stock units (3,069,869 ordinary shares, net of 
52,431 shares for taxes) 

     —      
Treasury shares at cost (5,591,687 ordinary shares)      —      
Stock-based compensation expense related to 

8,997  
—    

62,496  
(300,000) 

—     
—     

—        
—        

71,493  
(300,000) 

employees 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax 
Net income 
Balance as of December 31, 2011 
Excess Tax benefit from stock-based compensation      —      
Issuance of treasury shares under stock plans, upon 

39,835  
     —      
—    
     —      
     —      
—    
     774     630,508    
11,128  

—    
—    
—    
(1,543,886)  
—    

—     
(2,934)  
—     
12,650    
—      

39,835  
—        
(2,934) 
—        
  543,966      
543,966  
  3,973,045       3,073,091  
11,128  

—        

exercise of options and vesting of restricted 
stock units (2,619,204 ordinary shares, net of 
49,854 shares for taxes) 

     —      
Treasury shares at cost (9,483,090 ordinary shares)      —      
Stock-based compensation expense related to 

6,289  
—    

54,722  
(466,164) 

—      
—      

—        
—        

61,011  
(466,164) 

employees 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Net income 
Balance as of December 31, 2012 
Excess Tax benefit from stock-based compensation      —      
Issuance of treasury shares under stock plans, upon 

45,287  
     —      
—    
     —      
     —      
—    
     774     693,212  
35,345  

—    
—    
—    
(1,955,328) 
—    

—      
1,956    
—      
14,606    
—      

45,287  
—        
1,956  
—        
  620,000      
620,000  
  4,593,045       3,346,309  
35,345  

—        

exercise of options and vesting of restricted 
stock units (3,382,608 ordinary shares, net of 
42,623 shares for taxes) 

Treasury shares at cost (10,148,834 ordinary 

     —      

(4,752) 

71,879  

shares) 

     —      

—      

(537,829)  

Stock-based compensation expense related to 

employees 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax 
Net income 
Balance as of December 31, 2013 

51,112  
     —      
—    
     —      
     —      
—    
   $ 774     $774,917   $(2,421,278)  $

—    
—    
—    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-9 

—      

—      

—        

67,127  

—        

(537,829) 

—      
(12,767)  
—      

—        
—        
  652,800      

51,112  
(12,767) 
652,800  
1,839     $5,245,845     $ 3,602,097  

  
  
  
  
 
    
      
   
 
 
 
      
 
 
    
   
 
    
 
 
   
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
U.S. dollars in thousands  

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Cash flows from operating activities: 
Net income 
Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating 

activities: 

Depreciation of property and equipment
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on marketable 

securities, net and revaluation of short-term deposits 

Net gain on sale of marketable securities previously impaired
Realized gain on sale of marketable securities, net 
Amortization of intangible assets 
Stock-based compensation 
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 
Accrued severance pay, net 
Increase in trade receivables, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and 

sales reserves 

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other 

assets 

Increase (decrease) in trade payables
Increase in employees and payroll accruals 
Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities 
Increase in deferred revenues 
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities: 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of acquired cash 
Proceeds from maturity of marketable securities 
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
Proceeds from short-term deposits 
Investment in marketable securities 
Investment in short-term deposits 
Purchase of property and equipment 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012

2011

2013

$

543,966  

$

620,000    

$

652,800  

7,620  

7,861    

8,545  

28,092  
(2,017) 
(672) 
43,925  
39,835  
(11,552) 
(7,956) 
(546) 

33,784    
—      
(1,436)  
7,028    
45,287    
(1,453)  
(11,128)  
57    

22,389  
(928) 
(1,383) 
3,020  
51,112  
28  
(35,345) 
158  

(73,674) 

(16,337)  

(5,893) 

(4,917) 
(5,999) 
8,988  
90,384  
87,487  
742,964  

4,592    
5,445    
958    
117,371    
37,512    
849,541    

(816) 
1,287  
22,404  
11,975  
81,933  
811,286  

(15,060) 
820,365  
23,655  
—    
(1,173,398) 
(222,455)  
(7,195)  
(574,088) 

—      
991,578    
242,074    
—      
  (1,589,115)  
(10,602)  
(8,195)  
(374,260)  

—    
  1,110,176  
21,716  
248,571  
  (1,916,832) 
—    
(9,563) 
(545,932) 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-10 

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
U.S. dollars in thousands  

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012

2013

2011

Cash flows from financing activities: 
Proceeds from issuance of shares under stock purchase plan and upon exercise of options
Acquisition of non-controlling interest in Software 
Purchase of treasury shares at cost 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 
Net cash used in financing activities 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities: 
Accrued liability with respect to treasury shares 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  

F-11 

71,493   
(6,556)  
(300,000)  
7,956   
(227,107)  
(58,231)  
551,777    

67,127  
—    
(534,196) 
35,345  
(431,724) 
(166,370) 
574,802  
  $ 493,546     $ 574,802     $ 408,432  

61,011   
—     
  (466,164)  
11,128   
  (394,025)  
81,256    
  493,546    

  $ 63,593     $ 85,897     $ 173,234  

  $

—       $

—       $

3,633  

  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 1:- GENERAL 

a.

b.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (“Check Point Ltd.”), an Israeli corporation, and its subsidiaries 
(collectively, the “Company” or “Check Point”), are engaged in developing, marketing and supporting software 
and combined hardware (appliance) and software products and subscriptions, by offering network security, data 
security and security management solutions for enterprise networks and service providers. 

The Company operates in one reportable segment and its revenues are mainly derived from the sales of its 
network and data security products, including licenses, related software updates, maintenance and subscriptions. 
The Company sells its products worldwide primarily through multiple distribution channels (“channel partners”), 
including distributors, resellers, system integrators, Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) and Managed 
Security Service Providers (“MSPs”). 

During 2011, 2012 and 2013, approximately 35%, 32% and 29% of the Company’s revenues were derived from 
two channel partners, respectively, 18%, 16% and 14% from one channel partner and 17%, 16% and 15%, from 
the other, respectively. Trade receivable balances from these two channel partners aggregated to $ 117,394 and 
$ 136,384 as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. 

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared according to United States generally accepted accounting principles 
(“U.S. GAAP”).  

a.

Use of estimates: 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to 
make estimates, judgments and assumptions. The Company’s management believes that the estimates, judgments 
and assumptions used are reasonable based upon information available at the time they are made. These 
estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of 
contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and 
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, 
significant estimates evaluated by the Company’s management include those related to accounts receivable and 
sales allowances, fair values of estimated selling price (“ESP”), fair values of financial instruments, fair values 
and useful lives of intangible assets, fair values of stock-based awards, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, 
income tax uncertainties and other contingent liabilities. Such estimates are based on historical experience and on 
various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making 
judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.  

F-12 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
    
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

b.

Financial statements in United States dollars: 

Most of the Company’s revenues and costs are denominated in United States dollars (“dollars”). The Company’s 
management believes that the dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which Check Point 
Ltd. and each of its subsidiaries operate. Thus, the dollar is the Company’s functional and reporting currency.  

Accordingly, non-dollar transactions and balances have been re-measured into the functional currency in 
accordance with ASC No. 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”. All transaction gains and losses of the re-measured 
monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the statements of income as financial income or expenses, as 
appropriate.  

c.

Principles of consolidation: 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Check Point Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany 
transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.  

d.

Cash equivalents: 

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with original 
maturities of three months or less at acquisition.  

e.

Short-term deposits: 

Bank deposits with maturities of more than three months but less than one year are included in short-term 
deposits. Such deposits are stated at cost which approximates market values.  

f.

Investments in marketable securities: 

The Company accounts for investments in marketable securities in accordance with ASC No. 320, “Investments - 
Debt and Equity Securities”.  

Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and reevaluates 
such determinations at each balance sheet date.  

The Company classifies all of its marketable securities as available for sale. Available for sale securities are 
carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in “accumulated other 
comprehensive income” in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on sale of investments are included in 
“financial income, net” and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of 
securities.  

F-13 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to 
maturity. Such amortization together with interest on securities is included in “financial income, net”.  

The Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments in debt 
securities below the cost basis of such securities is judged to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered in 
making such a determination include the duration and severity of the impairment, the reason for the decline in 
value, the potential recovery period and the Company’s intent to sell, including whether it is more likely than not 
that the Company will be required to sell the investment before recovery of cost basis. For securities that are 
deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, the amount of impairment is recognized in “net gain on sale of 
marketable securities previously impaired” in the statements of income and is limited to the amount related to 
credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income.  

g.

Property and equipment: 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the 
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets at the following annual rates:  

Computers and peripheral equipment 
Office furniture and equipment 
Building 
Leasehold improvements 

%
33 - 50
10 - 20
4
The shorter of term of the lease or the 
useful life of the asset

h.

Goodwill: 

Goodwill has been recorded as a result of acquisitions. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a 
business combination over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, 
but rather is subject to an impairment test.  

ASC 350 prescribes a two-phase process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first phase screens for 
impairment, while the second phase (if necessary) measures impairment. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist 
if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. In such case, the second phase is then 
performed, and the Company measures impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s 
goodwill to the implied fair value of that goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the 
excess. ASC 350 allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform 
the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a 
reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that 
its fair value is less than its carrying amount.  

F-14 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Alternatively, ASC 350 permits an entity to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed 
directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test.  

The Company operates in one operating segment, and this segment comprises its only reporting unit. The 
Company performs an annual impairment test during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if 
impairment indicators are present.  

For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, no impairment losses have been identified.  

i.

Other intangible assets: 

Intangible assets that are not considered to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their estimated useful 
lives, which range from 2 to 20 years. Acquired customer arrangements are amortized over their estimated useful 
lives in proportion to the economic benefits realized. This accounting policy results in accelerated amortization of 
such customer arrangements as compared to the straight-line method. Other intangible assets consist primarily of 
core technology, trademarks and trade names and are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line 
basis.  

j.

Impairment of long-lived assets: 

The Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC No. 360, “Property, Plant 
and Equipment,” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may 
not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying 
amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets 
are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying 
amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. During 2011, 2012 and 2013, no impairment indicators 
have been identified.  

k.

Research and development costs: 

Research and development costs are charged to the statements of income as incurred. ASC 985-20, “Software- 
Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed”, requires capitalization of certain software development costs 
subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility.  

Based on the Company’s product development process, technological feasibility is established upon completion 
of a working model. Costs incurred by the Company between completion of the working models and the point at 
which the products are ready for general release, have been insignificant. Therefore, all research and development 
costs are expensed as incurred.  

F-15 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

l.

Revenue recognition: 

The Company derives its revenues mainly from sales of products and licenses, subscriptions and software updates 
and maintenance. The Company’s products are generally integrated with software that is essential to the 
functionality of the product. The Company sells its products primarily through channel partners including 
distributors, resellers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), system integrators and Managed Service 
Providers (“MSPs”), all of whom are considered end-users. The Company also sells certain products directly to 
end users primarily through its website.  

The Company’s subscriptions include other security solutions and are sold as a service or annuity.  

The Company’s software updates and maintenance provide customers with rights to unspecified software product 
upgrades released during the term of the agreement and include multiple services to customers, primarily 
telephone access to technical support personnel and hardware support services.  

Revenues are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services 
are rendered, the amounts are fixed or determinable and collection of the amount is considered probable. 
Revenues from subscriptions and from software updates and maintenance are recognized ratably over the term of 
the agreement. Revenues from arrangements with payment terms extending beyond customary payment terms are 
considered not to be fixed or determinable, in which case revenue is deferred and recognized when payments 
become due, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.  

The Company applies ASU 2009-14, Certain Arrangements That Include Software Elements, (“ASU 2009-14”) 
and ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, (“ASU 2009-13”). ASU 2009-14 removes 
tangible products from the scope of software revenue guidance and provides guidance on determining whether 
software deliverables in an arrangement that includes a tangible product are covered by the scope of the software 
revenue guidance. ASU 2009-13 eliminates the use of the residual method for allocation of revenues and requires 
entities to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the delivered goods and services, 
based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective 
evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price 
(“ESP”) if neither VSOE or TPE is available.  

The Company’s products and services generally qualify as separate units of accounting. As such, revenues from 
multiple element arrangement that include products, subscriptions and software updates and maintenance are 
separated into their various elements using the relative selling price method based on either VSOE or ESP, as 
described below.  

F-16 

  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

For products, the Company determined the fair value based on ESP by reviewing historical transactions, and 
considering several other external and internal factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices.  

The Company established VSOE of fair value for subscriptions and for software updates and maintenance based 
on the renewal prices charged for such services.  

The Company applies software revenue recognition guidance, ASC 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition”, 
to all software arrangements where software element is not essential to the functionality of the tangible product. 
As required by ASC 985-605, the Company determined the value of the delivered elements of its multiple-
element arrangements using the residual method when VSOE of fair value exists for the undelivered elements. 
Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the 
arrangement fee is allocated to the delivered elements and revenue for each element is recognized when the 
appropriate criteria is met.  

Deferred revenues represent mainly the unrecognized revenue billed for subscriptions and for software updates 
and maintenance. Such revenues are recognized ratably over the term of the related agreement.  

The Company records a provision for estimated sales returns, stock rotations and other rights granted to 
customers on product and service related sales in the same period the related revenues are recorded. These 
estimates are based on historical sales returns, analysis of credit memo data, stock rotation and other known 
factors. Such provisions amounted to $ 10,330 and $ 14,932 as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  

m.

Cost of revenues: 

Cost of products and licenses is comprised of cost of software and hardware production, manuals, packaging and 
shipping.  

Cost of subscriptions is comprised of license fees paid to third parties.  

Cost of software updates and maintenance is mainly comprised of cost of post-sale customer support.  

Amortization of technology is comprised of amortization of core technology assets which are used in the 
Company’s operations, and is presented separately as part of cost of revenues.  

F-17 

  
  
  
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

n.

Severance pay: 

The Company’s liability for severance pay for periods prior to January 1, 2007, is calculated pursuant to Israeli 
severance pay law based on the most recent salary of the employees multiplied by the number of years of 
employment as of the balance sheet date. The Company recorded as expenses the increase in the severance 
liability, net of earnings (losses) from the related investment fund. Employees were entitled to one month’s salary 
for each year of employment, or a portion thereof. Until January 1, 2007, the Company’s liability was partially 
funded by monthly payments deposited with insurers; any unfunded amounts are covered by a provision 
established by the Company.  

The carrying value of deposited funds in respect to the severance liability for services prior to January 1, 2007, 
includes profits (losses) accumulated up to the balance sheet date. The deposited funds may be withdrawn only 
upon the fulfillment of the obligation pursuant to Israeli severance pay law or labor agreements.  

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company’s agreements with employees in Israel, are under Section 14 of the 
Severance Pay Law, 1963. The Company’s contributions for severance pay have replaced its severance 
obligation. Upon contribution of the full amount of the employee’s monthly salary for each year of service, no 
additional calculations is conducted between the parties regarding the matter of severance pay and no additional 
payments is made by the Company to the employee. Further, the related obligation and amounts deposited on 
behalf of the employee for such obligation are not stated on the balance sheet, as the Company is legally released 
from the obligation to employees once the deposit amounts have been paid.  

Severance expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, were $ 4,823, $ 5,113 and $ 5,987, 
respectively.  

o.

Employee benefit plan: 

The Company has a 401(K) defined contribution plan covering certain employees in the U.S. All eligible 
employees may elect to contribute up to 50%, but generally not greater than $ 17.5 per year (and an additional 
amount of $ 5.5 for employees aged 50 and over), of their annual compensation to the plan through salary 
deferrals, subject to IRS limits. The Company matches 50% of employee contributions to the plan up to a limit of 
3% of their eligible compensation. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company’s matching contribution to the plan 
amounted to $ 991, $ 954 and $ 1,073, respectively.  

F-18 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

p.

Income taxes: 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes”. ASC No. 740 
prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined 
for temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured 
using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The 
Company provides a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than 
not to be realized.  

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as current or non-current based on the classification of the related 
asset or liability for financial reporting, or according to the expected reversal dates of the specific temporary 
differences if not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting.  

ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring a liability for uncertain tax positions. The 
first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight 
of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax 
position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second 
step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% (cumulative basis) likely to be 
realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company accrues interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in its taxes 
on income.  

q.

Advertising costs: 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 
and 2013, were $ 2,918, $ 3,239 and $ 4,260, respectively.  

r.

Concentrations of credit risk: 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of 
cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits, marketable securities, trade receivables and foreign currency 
derivative contracts.  

The Company’s majority cash and cash equivalents and short-term deposits are deposited in major banks in the 
U.S., Israel and Europe. Deposits in the U.S. may be in excess of insured limits and are not insured in other 
jurisdictions. Generally, these deposits may be withdrawn upon demand and therefore bear low risk. Marketable 
securities are held mainly by the Company’s Singaporean subsidiary, the U.S. subsidiary and Check Point Ltd., 
and are invested in U.S. dollar and U.S. dollar-linked debentures.  

F-19 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

The Company’s marketable securities consist of investments in government, corporate and government sponsored 
enterprises debentures. The Company’s investment policy, approved by the Board of Directors, limits the amount 
the Company may invest in any one type of investment or issuer, thereby reducing credit risk concentrations.  

The Company’s trade receivables are geographically dispersed and derived from sales to channel partners mainly 
in the United States, Europe and Asia. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited by 
credit limits, ongoing credit evaluation and account monitoring procedures. The Company performs ongoing 
credit evaluations of its channel partners and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on factors that 
may affect a customers’ ability to pay, such as age of the receivable balance and past experience. Allowance for 
doubtful accounts amounted to $ 7,681 and $ 5,924 as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The 
Company writes off receivables when they are deemed uncollectible, having exhausted all collection efforts.  

Actual collection experience may not meet expectations and may result in increased bad debt expense. Bad debt 
expense amounted to $ 702, $ 855 and $ (1,090) in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Total write offs during 
2011, 2012 and 2013 amounted to $ 1,076, $ 471 and $ 668, respectively.  

s.

Derivatives and hedging: 

The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging based on ASC No. 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. ASC 
No. 815 requires the Company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for 
changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been 
designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and on the type of hedging relationship. For those 
derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company must designate the 
hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of 
a net investment in a foreign operation. If the derivatives meet the definition of a hedge and are so designated, 
depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of such derivatives will either be offset against the 
change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings, or recognized in other
comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s 
change in fair value is recognized in earnings.  

F-20 

  
  
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

The Company entered into forward contracts to hedge the fair value of assets and liabilities denominated in Israeli 
Shekels, Euros, British Pounds, Swedish Krona, Norwegian Krone and Japanese Yen. As of December 31, 2012 
and 2013, the Company had outstanding forward contracts that did not meet the requirement for hedge 
accounting, in the notional amount of $ 100,865 and $ 236,440, respectively. The Company measured the fair 
value of the contracts in accordance with ASC No. 820 (classified as level 2). The net gains (losses) recognized in 
“financial income, net” during 2011, 2012 and 2013 were $ (240), $ 3,483 and $ 20,306, respectively. The fair 
value of the Company’s outstanding forward contracts at December 31, 2012 and 2013 amounted to gains (losses) 
of $ 24 and $ (11), respectively.  

The Company entered into forward contracts to hedge against the risk of overall changes in future cash flow from 
payments of payroll and related expenses denominated in Israeli Shekels and Euros. As of December 31, 2012 
and 2013, the Company had outstanding forward contracts in the notional amount of $ 25,878 and $ 29,622, 
respectively. These contracts were for a period of up to twelve months. The Company measured the fair value of 
the contracts in accordance with ASC No. 820 (classified as level 2). These contracts met the requirement for 
cash flow hedge accounting and as such during 2011, 2012 and 2013 gains/(losses) in the amount of $ 208, 
$ (122) and $ 2,366, respectively, were recognized when the related expenses were incurred and classified in 
operating expenses. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding forward contracts at December 31, 2012 and 
2013 amounted to gains of $ 1,445 and $ 102, respectively.  

t.

Basic and diluted earnings per share: 

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 
during each year. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares outstanding during each year, plus dilutive potential ordinary shares outstanding during the year, in 
accordance with ASC No. 260, “Earnings Per Share”.  

The total weighted average number of shares related to the outstanding options excluded from the calculations of 
diluted earnings per share, since it would have an anti-dilutive effect, was 1,342,904, 3,811,680 and 5,694,945 for 
2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  

u.

Accounting for stock-based compensation: 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC No. 718, “Compensation-Stock 
Compensation”. ASC No. 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of equity-based payment awards on 
the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected 
to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of 
income.  

F-21 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of awards granted, based on the straight line 
method for service based awards and based on the accelerated method for performance-based awards. 
Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period of each of the awards, net of estimated 
forfeitures. ASC No. 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in 
subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Estimated forfeitures are based on actual 
historical pre-vesting forfeitures.  

The Company selected the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model as the most appropriate fair value method 
for its stock options awards and Employee Stock Purchase Plan, whereas the fair value of restricted stock units is 
based on the market value of the underlying shares at the date of grant. The option-pricing model requires a 
number of assumptions, of which the most significant are the expected stock price volatility and the expected 
option term. Expected volatility was calculated based upon actual historical stock price movements over the most 
recent periods ending on the grant date, equal to the expected term of the options. The expected term of options 
granted is based upon historical experience and represents the period of time between when the options are 
granted and when they are expected to be exercised. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. 
treasury bonds with an equivalent term to the expected term of the options. The Company has historically not 
paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to pay dividends.  

The fair value of options granted and Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 2011, 2012 and 2013 is estimated at the 
date of grant using the following weighted average assumptions:  

Year ended December 31,
2012  

2011

2013  

Employee Stock Options 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Dividend yield 
Expected term (years) 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Dividend yield 
Expected term (years) 

29.59% 
2.04% 
0.0% 

5.84  

23.94% 
0.14% 
0.0% 
0.5  

 29.37%  
  0.75%  
  0.0%  
  5.58  

 32.04%  
  0.09%  
  0.0%  
  0.5  

 30.14% 
  1.72% 
  0.0% 
  6.00  

 26.98% 
  0.06% 
  0.0% 
  0.5  

F-22 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

v.

Fair value of financial instruments: 

The Company measures its investments in money market funds classified as cash equivalents, marketable 
securities and auction rate securities, and its foreign currency derivative contracts at fair value. Fair value is an 
exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an 
orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should 
be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. A three-
tier fair value hierarchy is established as a basis for considering such assumptions and for inputs used in the 
valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:  

Level 1 -

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can 
access at the measurement date.

Level 2 -

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, 
either directly or indirectly.

  Level 3 -  Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of 
unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  

w.

Comprehensive income: 

The Company accounts for comprehensive income in accordance with ASC No. 220, “Comprehensive Income”. 
Comprehensive income generally represents all changes in shareholders’ equity during the period except those 
resulting from investments by, or distributions to, shareholders. The Company determined that its items of other 
comprehensive income relate to gains and losses on hedging derivative instruments and unrealized gains and 
losses on available for sale marketable securities.  

The following table shows the components of Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes, as of 
December 31, 2013:  

F-23 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 2:-

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) 

Beginning balance 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before 

reclassifications 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 

comprehensive income 

Net current-period other comprehensive loss 
Ending balance 

Year ended December 31, 2013

Unrealized
gains (losses)
on marketable
securities

Unrealized 
gains (losses)
on cash flow 
hedges

$

13,473  

$

1,133   

Total
$ 14,606  

(9,685) 

704    

(8,981) 

*)(2,011) 
(11,696) 
1,777  

$

**)(1,775)  
(1,071)  
62    

$

(3,786) 
  (12,767) 
$ 1,839  

*)

The reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the year ended December 31, 2013 for realized 
gains on marketable securities of $2,011 are included within financial income, net. 

**) The reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the year ended December 31, 2013 for realized 
gains on cash flow hedges of $1,775 are included in operating expenses, out of which $1,181 is included within research and 
development. 

x.

Treasury shares: 

The Company repurchases its ordinary shares from time to time on the open market and holds such shares as 
treasury shares. The Company presents the cost to repurchase treasury stock as a separate component of 
shareholders’ equity.  

The Company reissues treasury shares under the stock purchase plan, upon exercise of option and upon vesting of 
restricted stock units. Reissuance of treasury shares is accounted for in accordance with ASC 505-30 whereby 
gains are credited to additional paid-in capital and losses are charged to additional paid-in capital to the extent 
that previous net gains are included therein; otherwise to retained earnings.  

y.

Legal contingencies: 

The Company is currently involved in various claims and legal proceedings. The Company reviews the status of 
each matter and assesses its potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding 
is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues a liability for the 
estimated loss.  

F-24 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 3:- MARKETABLE SECURITIES 

Marketable securities with contractual maturities of less than one year are as follows:  

2012

Amortized 
cost

Gross 
unrealized
gains

Gross 
unrealized
losses

December 31,

Fair 
value

Amortized
cost

2013

Gross 
unrealized
gains

Gross 
unrealized
losses

Fair 
value

   $599,614     $ 2,738     $

(20)  $602,332     $593,218     $ 2,987     $

(16)   $596,189  

     59,719      

271    

—    

59,990    

93,900    

400       —     

94,300  

Government and corporate 

debentures - fixed interest rate 
Government-sponsored enterprises 

debentures 

Government and corporate 

debentures - floating interest rate       33,096      

61    

   $692,429     $ 3,070     $

33,156    

(1) 
(21)  $695,478     $754,912     $ 3,486     $

67,794    

99       —     

67,893  
(16)   $758,382  

Marketable securities with contractual maturities of over one year through five years are as follows:  

2012

Gross 
unrealized
gains

Gross
unrealized
losses

Amortized
cost

December 31,

Fair 
value

Amortized
cost

2013

Gross 
unrealized
gains

Gross 
unrealized
losses

Fair 
value

   $1,327,086     $ 13,094     $

(731)  $1,339,449     $1,969,514     $ 6,554    $ (7,158)   $1,968,910  

Government and corporate 

debentures - fixed interest 
rate 

Government-sponsored 

enterprises 

     382,758      

2,170      

(39) 

384,889    

441,719    

707     

(1,311)     441,115  

Government and corporate 
debentures - floating 
interest rate 

Auction rate securities 

64,694      

(6) 
2,697       —         —    

304      

53,085  
—    
(776)  $1,792,027     $2,464,202     $ 7,424     $ (8,516)   $2,463,110  

163     
(47)    
—        —        

52,969    
—      

64,992    
2,697    

   $1,777,235     $ 15,568     $

Investments with continuous unrealized losses for less than 12 months and 12 months or greater and their related fair 
values were as follows:  

Investments with 
continuous unrealized 
losses for less than 12 
months

December 31, 2012
Investments with 
continuous unrealized 
losses for 12 months or 
greater

Total Investments with
continuous unrealized 
losses

Government and corporate debentures - fixed interest rate    $352,886     $
Government-sponsored enterprises 
Government and corporate debentures - floating interest 

     39,883    

Fair 
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair 
value

Unrealized
losses

Fair 
value
(4)   $358,932     $

Unrealized
losses

(747)  $ 6,046     $

(39) 

252    

—      

  40,135    

rate 

6,213    

(6) 

6,249    

   $398,982     $

(792)  $12,547     $

  12,462    

(1)  
(5)   $411,529     $

F-25 

(751) 
(39) 

(7) 
(797) 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
    
    
   
    
    
    
   
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
    
 
 
  
    
    
   
    
    
    
 
 
 
    
    
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
    
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 3:- MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Investments with 
continuous unrealized 
losses for less than 12 
months

Fair 
value

Unrealized
losses

December 31, 2013
Investments with 
continuous unrealized 
losses for 12 months or 
greater

Fair 
value

Unrealized
losses

Total Investments with 
continuous unrealized 
losses

Fair 
value

Unrealized
losses

Government and corporate debentures - fixed 

interest rate 

Government-sponsored enterprises 
Government and corporate debentures - floating 

interest rate 

   $ 944,769     $ (5,762)  $ 97,770     $ (1,410)   $1,042,539     $ (7,172) 
(1,312) 
     214,719    

  234,530    

19,811    

(1,104) 

(208)  

19,511    

(48) 
   $1,178,999     $ (6,914)  $118,581     $ (1,618)   $1,297,580     $ (8,532) 

20,511    

1,000    

—      

(48) 

As of December 31, 2012 and 2013, interest receivable amounted to $ 16,622 and $ 17,587, respectively, and is included 
within other current assets in the balance sheets.  

NOTE 4:- FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS 

In accordance with ASC 820, the Company measures its cash equivalents, marketable securities, auction rate securities 
and foreign currency derivative contracts at fair value. Cash equivalents and marketable securities, except investments in 
auction rate securities are classified within Level 1 or Level 2. This is because these assets are valued using quoted 
market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs. Foreign currency derivative 
contracts are classified within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of 
similar instruments.  

Investments in auction rate securities are classified within Level 3. The Company values the Level 3 investments based 
on an externally developed valuation using discounted cash flow model, whose inputs include interest rate curves, credit 
spreads, bond prices, volatilities and illiquidity considerations and/or existing market pricing. Unobservable inputs used 
in these models are significant to the fair value of the investments.  

The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding accrued interest components, 
consisted of the following types of instruments as of the following dates:  

F-26 

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
    
    
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 4:- FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Cont.) 

Cash equivalents: 
Money market funds 
Marketable securities: 
Government and corporate debentures - fixed interest rate
Government-sponsored enterprises
Government and corporate debentures - floating interest rate
Auction rate securities 
Foreign currency derivative contracts 
Total financial assets 

Cash equivalents: 
Money market funds 
Marketable securities: 
Government and corporate debentures - fixed interest rate
Government-sponsored enterprises
Government and corporate debentures - floating interest rate
Foreign currency derivative contracts 
Total financial assets 

F-27 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

December 31, 2012
Fair value measurements using input type

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3     

Total

  $169,894     $

—       $ —       $ 169,894  

—      
—      
—      
—      
—      

  1,941,781  
  444,879  
98,148  
2,697  
1,469  
  $169,894     $2,486,277     $2,697     $2,658,868  

1,941,781    
444,879    
98,148    
—      
1,469    

  —      
  —      
  —      
  2,697    
  —      

December 31, 2013
Fair value measurements using input type

Level 1

Level 2

     Level 3    

Total

  $88,784     $

—       $ —       $

88,784  

—      
—      
—      
—      

  2,565,099  
2,565,099    
  535,415  
535,415    
  120,978  
120,978    
91  
91    
  $88,784     $3,221,583     $ —       $3,310,367  

  —      
  —      
  —      
  —      

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 4:- FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Cont.) 

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments measured on a recurring basis for the years ended 
December 31, 2012 and 2013:  

Balance at January 1, 2012 
Securities sold during 2012 
Balance at December 31, 2012 
Recognized gains in income 
Securities sold during 2013 
Balance at December 31, 2013 

NOTE 5:- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 

$

Auction rate
securities  
6,078  
(3,381) 
2,697  
928  
(3,625) 
—    

$

Cost: 

Computers and peripheral equipment 
Office furniture and equipment 
Building 
Leasehold improvements 

Accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net

F-28 

December 31,

2012

2013

$ 64,026    
5,966    
34,396    
5,393    
109,781    
72,808    
$ 36,973    

$ 69,968  
6,324  
  35,538  
7,160  
  118,990  
  80,999  
$ 37,991  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 6:- GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 

a.

Goodwill: 

There were no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill in the two years period commencing January 1, 2012 
through December 31, 2013.  

b.

Other intangible assets, net: 

Net other intangible assets consisted of the following:  

Original amount: 

Core technology 
Trademarks and trade names
Customer relationships

Accumulated amortization: 
Core technology 
Trademarks and trade names
Customer relationships

Other intangible assets, net: 
Core technology 
Trademarks and trade names
Customer relationships

Useful
life

December 31,

2012

2013

3 - 8    
3 - 20    
2 - 6    

$131,797    
26,476    
55,108    
213,381    

129,767    
10,738    
53,665    
194,170    

2,030    
15,738    
1,443    
$ 19,211    

$ 4,739  
  25,520  
  3,108  
  33,367  

  3,323  
  11,358  
  2,495  
  17,176  

  1,416  
  14,162  
613  
$16,191  

The estimated future amortization expense of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:  

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
Thereafter 

$ 2,142  
  2,023  
  1,899  
  1,817  
  1,817  
  6,493  
$16,191  

NOTE 7:- EMPLOYEES AND PAYROLL ACCRUALS 

As of December 31, 2012 and 2013, employees and payroll accruals include a total amount of $ 4,351 and $ 3,731, 
respectively, related to payroll accrued for the benefit of certain related parties since 2002 until 2007.  

F-29 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
    
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 8:- DEFERRED REVENUES 

Deferred revenues consisted of the following:  

Subscriptions 
Software updates and maintenance 
Other 

December 31,

2012
$118,083    
468,663    
2,944    
$589,690    

2013
$160,163  
  504,919  
6,541  
$671,623  

The majority of the deferred revenues are recognized within one year or less and presented as current deferred revenues 
in the balance sheet. The remaining deferred revenues are recognized within three years and are shown as long term 
deferred revenues.  

NOTE 9:- ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES 

Income taxes payable 
Accrued products and licenses costs 
Marketing expenses payable
Legal accrual 
Purchase commitment to subcontractors 
Accrued expenses 

F-30 

December 31,

2012
$111,558    
35,731    
9,126    
38,010    
5,376    
37,854    
$237,655    

2013
$129,305  
  40,560  
9,350  
  47,384  
2,732  
  42,714  
$272,045  

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 10:- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

a.

Lease commitments: 

Certain facilities of the Company are rented under operating lease agreements, which expire on various dates, the 
latest of which is in 2019. The Company recognizes rent expense under such arrangements on a straight-line 
basis.  

Aggregate minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2013, were as 
follows:  

2014 
2015 
2016 
2017 
2018 
Thereafter 

$ 5,967  
  3,581  
  1,153  
293  
124  
85  
$11,203  

Rent expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, were $ 5,950, $ 5,408 and $ 6,224, 
respectively.  

b.

Litigation: 

The Company operates its business in various countries, and accordingly attempts to utilize an efficient operating 
model to structure its tax payments based on the laws in the countries in which the Company operates. This can 
cause disputes between the Company and various tax authorities in different parts of the world.  

In November 2013, the Company reached a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”), with the Israeli 
Tax Authorities (“ITA”) for years 2002 through 2011 and accordingly the Company and the ITA notified the 
court that they have reached an agreement outside of the court and obtained the court’s approval (see Note 11).  

We have filed for a declaratory judgment in a patent related case. The adversary is a non-practicing entity. At this 
time, we do not expect the ultimate resolution of these litigation matters to be material to our business, results of 
operations and financial condition.  

Further, the Company is the defendant in various other lawsuits, including employment-related litigation claims, 
lease termination claims and other legal proceedings in the normal course of its business. Litigation and 
governmental proceedings can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations, and can 
require extensive management attention and resources, regardless of their merit. While the Company intends to 
defend the aforementioned matters vigorously, it believes that a loss in excess of its accrued liability with respect 
to these claims is neither probable nor reasonably possible.  

F-31 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 11:- TAXES ON INCOME 

a.

Israeli taxation: 

1.

Corporate tax rate in Israel: 

Taxable income of Israeli companies is subject to tax at the rate of 24% in 2011, and 25% in 2012 and 2013. 

On July 30, 2013, the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset) approved the second and third readings of the 
Economic Plan for 2013-2014 (“Amended Budget Law”) which consists, among others, raising the Israeli 
corporate tax rate from 25% to 26.5% commencing January 1, 2014.  

2.

Tax benefits under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (the “Investment Law”): 

Various production and development facilities of Check Point Ltd. have been granted “Approved 
Enterprise” and “Privileged Enterprise” status, which provides certain benefits, including tax exemptions 
and reduced tax rates for a defined period.  

Distribution of dividends derived from income that was taxed at reduced rates, but not tax-exempt, will not 
result in additional tax consequences to the company.  

In December 2010, new legislation amending the Investment Law was adopted effective January 1, 2011. 
According to the new legislation, the benefit tracks in the Investment Law were modified and a flat tax rate 
applies to preferred income produced or generated by a preferred company from the effective date. 
Commencing 2012, the Company elected for the Preferred Enterprise regime to apply (the waiver is non-
recourse) and the Company’s entire preferred income is subject to the tax rates as follows: 2012 - 15%, 2013 
- 12.5% and 2014 and thereafter - 16%.  

Income attributable to Approved, Privileged and Preferred Enterprises will be freely distributable as 
dividends, subject to a 15%-20% withholding tax (or lower, under an applicable tax treaty). However, upon 
the distribution of a dividend from Preferred Income to an Israeli company, no withholding tax will be 
remitted.  

Income from sources other than the Approved, Privileged or Preferred Enterprise programs is subject to tax 
at regular Israeli corporate tax rate.  

F-32 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 11:- TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) 

3.

Foreign Exchange Regulations: 

Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, Check Point Ltd. calculates its tax liability in U.S. Dollars 
according to certain orders. The tax liability, as calculated in U.S. Dollars is translated into NIS 
according to the exchange rate as of December 31st of each year.  

b.

Income taxes of non-Israeli subsidiaries: 

Non-Israeli subsidiaries are taxed according to the tax laws in their respective countries of residence.  

Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries amounted to $ 156,817 as of December 31, 2013. Where the 
Company intends to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in the foreign subsidiaries, no deferred income taxes 
have been provided. If these earnings were distributed to Israel in the form of dividends or otherwise, the 
Company would be subject to additional Israeli income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax 
credits) and foreign withholding taxes in the amount of $ 30,863.  

c.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities: 

Deferred taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. As of 
December 31, 2012 and 2013, the Company’s deferred taxes were in respect of the following:  

Carry forward tax losses
Employee stock based compensation 
Other 
Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
Valuation allowance 
Deferred tax asset 
Intangible assets 
Undistributed earnings of a subsidiary 
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net
Other 
Deferred tax liability 
Deferred tax asset, net 

F-33 

December 31,

2012
$ 249,270   
15,642   
26,214   
291,126    
(246,785)  
44,341    
(7,927)  
—      
(4,266)  
(945)  
(13,138)  
$ 31,203    

2013
$ 235,942  
19,846  
33,992  
  289,780  
  (234,600) 
55,180  
(7,773) 
(10,788) 
(688) 
(950) 
(20,199) 
$ 34,981  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 11:- TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) 

Current deferred tax asset, net 
Non-current deferred tax asset, net 
Non-current deferred tax liability, net 

December 31,

2012
$13,069   
19,173   
(1,039)  
$31,203    

2013
$21,732  
  13,557  
(308) 
$34,981  

Current deferred tax asset, net, is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the balance sheets.  

The Company’s subsidiaries in the U.S. have provided valuation allowance in respect of deferred tax assets 
resulting from carry forward of net operating loss related to excess tax benefits from options exercised prior to the 
adoption of ASC 718.  

Through December 31, 2013, the U.S. subsidiaries had a U.S. federal loss carry forward of approximately 
$ 608,471, expiring beginning 2018, mainly resulting from tax benefits related to employees’ stock option 
exercises that can be carried forward and offset against taxable income. Excess tax benefits related to employee 
stock option exercises for which no compensation expense was recognized will be credited to additional paid-in 
capital when realized. Through December 31, 2013, the U.S. subsidiaries had a U.S. state net loss carry forward 
of approximately $ 268,557, which expire between fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2024, and are subject to limitations on 
their utilization. Through December 31, 2013, the U.S. subsidiaries had research and development tax credits of 
approximately $ 9,603, which expire between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2033 and are subject to limitations on their 
utilization.  

d.

Income before taxes on income is comprised as follows: 

Domestic 
Foreign 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012
$725,651    
61,216    
$786,867    

2011
$655,486    
27,728    
$683,214    

2013
$743,125  
  52,711  
$795,836  

F-34 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 11:- TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) 

e.

Taxes on income are comprised of the following: 

Current 
Deferred 

Domestic 
Foreign 

Domestic taxes: 
Current 
Deferred 

Foreign taxes - US: 
Current 
Deferred 

Other international locations:

Current 
Deferred 

Total foreign taxes 
Taxes on income 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012
$168,320   
(1,453)  
$166,867    
$152,040    
14,827    
$166,867    

2011
$150,800  
(11,552) 
$139,248    
$134,242    
5,006  
$139,248    

2013
$143,008  
28  
$143,036  
$130,109  
  12,927  
$143,036  

Year ended 
December 31,
2012

2011

2013

$138,686  
(4,444) 
134,242  

$152,453   
(413)  
152,040    

$124,522  
5,587  
  130,109  

8,870  
1,567  
10,437    

12,720    
(355)  
12,365    

  14,965  
(4,813) 
  10,152  

3,245    
(8,676)  
(5,431) 
5,006  
$139,248  

3,149    
(687)  
2,462    
14,827    
$166,867    

3,521  
(746) 
2,775  
  12,927  
$143,036  

F-35 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 11:- TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

f.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax 
positions is as follows: 

Beginning balance 
Increases related to tax positions taken during prior years
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current year
Decrease related to settlement with the ITA 
Decreases related to expiration of statute of limitations
Ending balance 

December 31,

2012
$219,469   
38,209   
11,361   
—     
(9,492)  
$259,547    

2013
$ 259,547  
91,202  
  142,875  
  (288,204) 
—    
$ 205,420  

Substantially all the balance of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s annual 
effective tax rate.  

During the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company recorded $ 13,587, $ 15,032 and 
$ 20,857, respectively for interest expense related to uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2012 and 2013, 
the Company had accrued interest liability related to uncertain tax positions in the amounts of $ 63,059 and 
$ 4,578 respectively, which is included within income tax accrual on the balance sheets.  

Pursuant to a temporary tax relief initiated by the Israeli government, a company that elected by November 11, 
2013 to pay a reduced corporate tax rate as set forth in the temporary tax relief with respect to undistributed 
exempt income generated under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959 (the “Investment 
Law”) accumulated by the company until December 31, 2011 (“Trapped Earnings”) is entitled to distribute a 
dividend from such income without being required to pay additional corporate tax with respect to such dividend. 
A company that has so elected must make certain qualified investments in Israel over five-year period. A 
company that has elected to apply the temporary tax relief cannot withdraw from its election.  

On November 11, 2013, the Company reached a settlement agreement with the ITA which provided (i) the full 
settlement of all disputes with the ITA with respect to the tax years 2002 through 2011, and (ii) the release of all 
the Company’s Trapped Earnings through the year ended December 31, 2011. In accordance with Section 52B of 
the Investments Law and the temporary tax relief, the Company is obligated to invest approximately $ 111,000 
during five years period in the following forms (i) production assets (as defined therein), (ii) research and 
development activities in Israel and/or (iii) employment payments for new employees (other than office holders) 
added after 2011. Any amount not invested in the five years period, should be paid at the end of the 5 years, 
linked to the Israeli CPI and bears 4% annual interest since the election date.  

F-36 

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 11:- TAXES ON INCOME (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

The Company’s U.S. subsidiaries file federal and state income tax returns in the U.S. All of the U.S subsidiaries’ 
tax years are subject to examination by the U.S. federal and most U.S. state tax authorities due to their carry 
forward tax losses and overall credit carry-forward position, except for tax years 2005 through 2008.  

The Company believes that it has adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to tax 
audits and settlement. The final tax outcome of its tax audits could be different from that which is reflected in the 
Company’s income tax provisions and accruals. Such differences could have a material effect on the Company’s 
income tax provision and net income in the period in which such determination is made.  

g.

Reconciliation of the theoretical tax expenses: 

Reconciliation between the theoretical tax expenses, assuming all income is taxed at the statutory rate in Israel 
and the actual income tax as reported in the statements of income is as follows:  

Income before taxes as reported in the statements of 

income 

Statutory tax rate in Israel 
Decrease in taxes resulting from:
Effect of “Approved, Privileged or Preferred Enterprise”

status *) 
Others, net 
Effective tax rate 
*)      Basic earnings per share amounts of the benefit 

resulting from the “Approved, Privileged or Preferred 
Enterprise” status 
Diluted earnings per share amounts of the benefit 
resulting from the “Approved, Privileged or Preferred 
Enterprise” status 

F-37 

2011

Year ended December 31,
2012

2013

$683,214  

$786,867  

$795,836  

24% 

25%   

25% 

(6%) 
2% 
20% 

(7%)  
3%   
21%   

(6%) 
(1%) 
18% 

$

$

0.21  

0.20  

$

$

0.24  

0.23  

$

$

0.24  

0.24  

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 12:- SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

a.

General: 

Ordinary shares confer upon their holders the right to receive notice to participate and vote in general meetings of 
the Company, and the right to receive dividends if declared.  

Dividends declared on ordinary shares will be paid in NIS. Dividends paid to shareholders outside Israel will be 
converted into U.S. dollars, on the basis of the exchange rate prevailing at the date of payment.  

b.

Share repurchase: 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s repurchase ordinary shares for an aggregate amount of $ 3,072,528. On 
January 28, 2014, the Company’s board of directors approved and authorized the repurchase of up to additional 
$ 1,000,000 of the Company’s ordinary shares. Under the repurchase programs, share purchases may be made 
from time to time depending on market conditions, share price, trading volume and other factors and will be 
funded from available working capital. During 2011, 2012 and 2013 the Company repurchased 5,591,687, 
9,483,090 and 10,148,834 shares for an aggregate amount of $ 300,000, $ 466,164 and $ 537,829, respectively.  

c.

Stock Options and RSU’s: 

In 2005, the Company adopted two new equity incentive plans, which were subsequently amended in January 
2014: the 2005 United States Equity Incentive Plan, which is referred to as the U.S. Plan, and the 2005 Israel 
Equity Incentive Plan, which is referred to as the Israel Plan, and together with the U.S. Plan, the Equity Incentive 
Plans.  

Under the Equity Incentive Plans, the Company may grant options to employees, officers and directors at an 
exercise price equal to at least the fair market value of the ordinary shares at the date of grant and are granted for 
periods not to exceed seven years. The Company grants under the Equity Incentive Plans Options, Restricted 
Stock Units (“RSUs”) and Performance RSUs (“PSUs”) and can also grant a variety of other equity incentives. 
Options granted under the Equity Incentive Plans generally vest over a period of four to five years of 
employment. Any options that are cancelled or forfeited before expiration become available for future grants. 
Since 2006, the Company started to routinely grant RSUs under the Equity Incentive Plans and since 2013, the 
Company started to grant its sales employees PSUs. The number of PSUs granted to sales employees is equal to 
the amount of compensation earned (based on the employee’s level) divided by the fair value of the ordinary 
share at the grant date. RSUs and PSUs vest over a four year period of employment from the grant date. PSUs are 
subject to certain performance criteria; accordingly, compensation expense is recognized for such awards when it 
becomes probable that the related performance condition will be satisfied. RSUs and PSUs that are cancelled or 
forfeited become available for future grants.  

F-38 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 12:- SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Under the Equity Incentive Plans, the Company’s non-employee directors receive an automatic annual option 
grant.  

As of December 31, 2013, 13,508,075 options and RSUs were outstanding under the Equity Incentive Plans and 
679 options were outstanding under the Zone Labs plan.  

Following the amendments to the Equity Incentive Plans in January 2014, the number of ordinary shares reserved 
under the Equity Incentive Plans equals 19,000,000 (under the original terms of the Equity Incentive Plans, and 
before the amendment, 65,134,597 ordinary shares were available for future grant as of December 31, 2013). 
Commencing December 31, 2014, on December 31st of each year, the number of Reserved and Authorized 
Shares under the Equity Incentive Plans shall be automatically reset on such date to equal 10% of the number of 
ordinary shares issued and outstanding on such date.  

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information is as follows:  

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Expired 
Forfeited 
Outstanding at December 31, 
Exercisable at December 31, 

2012

2011

Options in thousands

Weighted average exercise
price
2013
2011      2012
13,448    $23.85    $28.50    $35.24  
1,930    $52.92    $54.24    $49.77  
(2,712)   $22.83    $21.80    $20.56  
—      $26.97      —       —    
(64)   $27.89    $26.69    $44.79  
  13,337   13,448   *)12,602     $28.50     $35.24     $40.58  
8,001     $24.21     $28.20     $35.22  
  8,429  

  14,192   13,337  
2,955  
  2,125  
(1,944) 
  (2,324) 
(602)  —    
(900) 
(54) 

8,530  

  2013

*) As of December 31, 2013 , approximately 12.5 million options are vested and expected to vest. Options expected to vest reflect 

an estimated forfeiture rate for purposes of determining related compensation expense. 

Year ended 
December 31, 2013

Options

Aggregate 
intrinsic value 

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Outstanding as of December 31, 
Exercisable as of December 31, 

F-39 

In thousands
$

196,927  

$
$

301,449  
234,287  

13,448   
1,930    
(2,712)  
(64)  
12,602    
8,001    

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 12:- SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Cont.) 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $ 73,973, $ 61,564 and 
$ 90,352, respectively.  

The weighted average fair values at grant date of options granted for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 
and 2013; with an exercise price equal to the market value at the date of grant were $ 17.04, $ 15.52 and $ 16.17, 
respectively.  

The following table summarizes information relating to RSUs, as well as changes to such awards during 2011, 
2012 and 2013:  

Outstanding at beginning of year
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Outstanding as of December 31,

Year ended 
December 31,

2011    

2012  

2013  

Number in thousands

1,254   
389   
(425)  
(107)  
1,111    

 1,111    
  395    
  (415)  
  (111)  
  980    

  980  
  394  
 (359) 
 (108) 
  907  

The weighted average fair values at grant date of RSUs granted for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 
2013 were $ 51.89, $ 54.76 and $ 48.64, respectively.  

The total fair value of shares vested during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $ 22,753, $ 22,806 and $ 17,738, 
respectively.  

The options outstanding as of December 31, 2013, have been separated into ranges of exercise price, as follows:  

Outstanding 
Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years) 

Number of options 
(in thousands) 

Weighted average 
exercise price
$

Number of options 
(in thousands)

Exercisable 
Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years) 

Weighted average
exercise price
$

1 
112 
2,527 
1,100 
1,830 
209 
1,904 
2,010 
2,910 
12,602 

0.13 
2.16 
1.11 
2.57 
3.40 
3.24 
6.42 
4.38 
5.39 
3.93 

6.08
21.89
23.81
26.47
29.22
35.07
49.26
52.92
54.54
40.58

F-40 

1
112
2,527
1,100
1,410
108
448
1,240
1,056
8,001

0.13 
2.16 
1.11 
2.57 
3.45 
3.25 
6.36 
4.38 
5.41 
3.14 

6.08
21.89
23.81
26.47
29.37
35.21
49.13
52.96
54.13
35.22

Exercise
price
$
6.08-6.08 
21.53-21.95 
23.46-24.01 
26.47 -26.47   
26.77-29.49 
32.31-35.79 
42.85 -49.5 
51.98-53.05 
53.67-58.49 
6.08-58.49 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 12:- SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Cont.) 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $ 107,818 of unrecognized compensation expense 
related to non-vested stock options and non-vested restricted stock units, expected to be recognized over a 
weighted average period of 1.91 years.  

d.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”): 

The Company reserved a total of 6,000,000 ordinary shares for issuance under the ESPP. Eligible employees may 
use up to 15% of their salaries to purchase ordinary shares but no more than 1,250 shares per participant on any 
purchase date. The ESPP is implemented through an offering every six months. The price of an ordinary share 
purchased under the ESPP is equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the ordinary share on the 
subscription date of each offering period or on the purchase date.  

During 2011, 2012 and 2013, employees purchased 374,050, 309,559 and 354,487 ordinary shares at average 
prices of $ 34.14, $ 44.15 and $ 42.14 per share, respectively.  

As of December 31, 2013, 1,066,876 ordinary shares were available for future issuance under the ESPP.  

In accordance with ASC No. 718, the ESPP is compensatory and as such results in recognition of compensation 
cost. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company recognized $ 3,400, $ 4,313 and 
$ 3,973, respectively, of compensation expense in connection with the ESPP.  

NOTE 13:- EARNINGS PER SHARE 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:  

Net income 
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands)
Dilutive effect: 

Employee stock options and RSUs (in thousands)
Diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (in 

thousands) 

Basic earnings per ordinary share
Diluted earnings per ordinary share 

F-41 

2011
$543,966    
206,917    

Year ended December 31,
2012
$620,000    
203,918    

2013
$652,800  
  195,647  

7,005    

5,252    

3,840  

213,922    
2.63    
$
2.54    
$

209,170    
3.04    
$
2.96    
$

  199,487  
3.34  
$
3.27  
$

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 14:- GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND SELECTED STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA 

a.

Summary information about geographical areas: 

The Company operates in one reportable segment (see Note 1 for a brief description of the Company’s business). 
The total revenues are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the Company’s channel partners 
which are considered as end customers, as well as direct customers of the Company.  

The following table presents total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and property 
and equipment, net as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, by geographic area:  

1.

Revenues based on the channel partners’ location: 

Americas, principally U.S. 
Europe 
Asia, Middle-East and Africa

2.

Property and equipment, net: 

U.S. 
Israel 
Rest of the world 

2011
$ 553,843    
488,632    
204,511    
$1,246,986    

Year ended 
December 31,
2012
$ 603,605    
501,547    
237,543    
$1,342,695    

2013
$ 647,533  
  514,858  
  231,714  
$1,394,105  

December 31,

2012

2013

  $ 3,519     $ 3,270  
  33,605  
  1,116  
$37,991  

31,450    
2,004    
$36,973    

b.

Summary information about product lines: 

The Company’s products can be classified by three main product lines. The following table presents total 
revenues for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by product lines:  

F-42 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share amounts)  

NOTE 14:- GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AND SELECTED STATEMENTS OF INCOME DATA (Cont.) 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES LTD. 
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

Product and licenses: 

Network security Gateways
Other *) 

Subscriptions: 

Network security Gateways
Software updates and maintenance 

Total revenues 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012

2011

2013

$ 446,747    
56,728    
503,475    

$ 442,169    
63,111    
505,280    

$ 449,860  
54,716  
  504,576  

105,790    
637,721    
$1,246,986    

162,931    
674,484    
$1,342,695    

  209,442  
  680,087  
$1,394,105  

*) Comprised of Endpoint security and Security management products, each consists of less than 10% of products and licenses 

revenues. 

c.

Financial income, net: 

Financial income: 

Interest income 
Realized gain on sale of marketable securities
Foreign currency re-measurement gain and others

Financial expense: 

Amortization of marketable securities premium and accretion of 

discount, net 

Others 

F-43 

Year ended 
December 31,
2012

2013

2011

$68,351    
672    
14    
69,037    

$73,711    
  1,436    
873    
  76,020    

$71,107  
  1,383  
893  
  73,383  

28,092    
1,922    
30,014    
$39,023    

  33,784    
  1,904    
  35,688    
$40,332    

  37,903  
  1,477  
  39,380  
$34,003  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized 
the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.  

SIGNATURES 

CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES 
LTD.

By: /s/ Gil Shwed
Gil Shwed
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

By: /s/ Tal Payne
Tal Payne
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 28, 2014  

  
Amendment to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.  
2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan, dated January 22, 2014  

Exhibit 4.7 

Effective as of January 22, 2014, the Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is 

hereby amended as follows (the “Amendment”):  

1.

Section 3(a) of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

“Subject to the provisions of Section 21 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the 
Plan and the Company’s 2005 U.S. Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “U.S. Plan”, and collectively with the Plan, the “Equity 
Plans”)), is 19,000,000 Shares; provided, however, that on December 31st of each year, commencing December 31, 2014, the 
number of Reserved and Authorized Shares (as defined below) under the Equity Plans shall be automatically reset on such date to 
equal 10% of the number of Shares issued and outstanding on such date; provided, however, that in no event shall the number of 
Reserved and Authorized Shares be less than the number of Shares reserved and authorized under the Equity Plans for Awards 
granted under the Plans that are outstanding as of such date. The number of “Reserved and Authorized Shares” under the Equity 
Plans shall equal the sum of (i) the number of Shares reserved and authorized under the Equity Plans for outstanding Awards granted 
under the Equity Plans as of such date, and (ii) the number of Shares reserved, authorized and available for issuance under the 
Equity Plans on such date.”  

2.

Section 3(c) of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

“Intentionally omitted.”  

3.

Section 7 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

“Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board and will remain in effect until terminated 

pursuant to Section 23 of the Plan.”  

4.

Except as explicitly amended by this Amendment, all other terms of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect. 

  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
Amendment to Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.  
2005 U.S. Equity Incentive Plan, dated January 22, 2014  

Exhibit 4.8 

Effective as of January 22, 2014, the Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. 2005 U.S. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is 

hereby amended as follows (the “Amendment”):  

1.

The first paragraph of Section 3 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

“Subject to the provisions of Section 19 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under the 

Plan and the Company’s 2005 Israel Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Israel Plan”, and collectively with the Plan, the 
“Equity Plans”)), is 19,000,000 Shares; provided, however, that on December 31st of each year, commencing December 31, 2014, 
the number of Reserved and Authorized Shares (as defined below) under the Equity Plans shall be automatically reset on such date to 
equal 10% of the number of Shares issued and outstanding on such date; provided, however, that in no event shall the number of 
Reserved and Authorized Shares be less than the number of Shares reserved and authorized under the Equity Plans for Awards 
granted under the Plans that are outstanding as of such date. The number of “Reserved and Authorized Shares” under the Equity 
Plans shall equal the sum of (i) the number of Shares reserved and authorized under the Equity Plans for outstanding Awards granted 
under the Equity Plans as of such date, and (ii) the number of Shares reserved, authorized and available for issuance under the 
Equity Plans on such date.”  

2.

The third paragraph of Section 3 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

“Intentionally omitted.”  

3.

Section 7 of the Plan shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

“Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board and will remain in effect until terminated 

pursuant to Section 20 of the Plan.”  

4.

Except as explicitly amended by this Amendment, all other terms of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect. 

  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION  

Exhibit 12.1 

I, Gil Shwed, certify that:  

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading 
with respect to the period covered by this report; 

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all 
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report; 

The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have: 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under 
our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is 
made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 

designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 

conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this 
report based on such evaluation; and 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 

period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and 

5.

The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions): 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting 

which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date: March 28, 2014

By: /s/ Gil Shwed

Gil Shwed
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION  

Exhibit 12.2 

I, Tal Payne, certify that:  

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.; 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact 
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading 
with respect to the period covered by this report; 

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all 
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods 
presented in this report; 

The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have: 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under 
our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is 
made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be 

designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 

conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this 
report based on such evaluation; and 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 

period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and 

5.

The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over 
financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons 
performing the equivalent functions): 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting 

which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial 
information; and 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the 

company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date: March 28, 2014

By: /s/ Tal Payne

Tal Payne
Chief Financial Officer

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION  

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002  
(SUBSECTIONS (a) AND (b) OF SECTION 1350, CHAPTER 63 OF  
TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE)  

Exhibit 13 

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, 
United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., a company organized under the 
laws of the State of Israel (the “Company”), does hereby certify that the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 
December 31, 2013 (the “Form 20-F”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in the Annual Report on Form 20-F fairly presents, in all material 
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.  

Date: March 28, 2014

By:

/s/ Gil Shwed

Gil Shwed
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

Date: March 28, 2014

  By:

  /s/ Tal Payne

Tal Payne
Chief Finance Officer

  
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

We consent to the incorporation by reference, in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 Nos. 333-6032, 333-7260, 333-9136, 333-
9508, 333-114489, 333-132954 and 333-142213) of our reports dated March 28, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial 
statements of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. and its subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial 
reporting of Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. included in this Annual Report (Form 20-F) for the year ended December 31, 
2013.  

Tel-Aviv, Israel
March 28, 2014

/s/ KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER 
A Member of EY Global 

Exhibit 15