Symbolic
Symbolic is an Italian Value Added Distributor (VAD) specializing in cybersecurity solutions, distributing a multi-vendor portfolio of network security, endpoint, HSM, and identity products to Italian resellers and system integrators since the mid-1990s. Now majority-owned by Allnet.Italia, it supplements distribution with training and managed services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersParma, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Symbolic does
Symbolic S.r.l. is an Italian Value Added Distributor (VAD) headquartered in Parma that has specialized in Data and Network Security solutions since its founding in the mid-1990s. The company curates and distributes a portfolio of cybersecurity products from approximately 15-17 global vendors spanning nine solution areas: network perimeter security, Hardware Security Module (HSM) integration, user authentication, digital signature, data protection and integrity, endpoint protection, cryptographic systems, privileged access and identity management, and application delivery/anti-DDoS. Its vendor roster includes WatchGuard, WithSecure, Thales, Hillstone Networks, Entrust, A10 Networks, Endpoint Protector, Network Critical, SSH.COM, Systancia, Yubico, Yubikey, Netwrix, Fudo Security, ITsMine, Sosafe, Probely, and Grandstream. Symbolic does not develop proprietary technology; rather, it integrates and resells third-party solutions through its exclusive Italian channel of resellers, VARs, and system integrators. The company also delivers professional services including pre-sales and post-sales consulting, remote and on-site demonstrations and PoCs, on-site system administration, remote managed security services, and certified technical training (it is an authorized WithSecure Certification Training Center). All course pricing, partner enablement, and 8x5 telephone/email technical support are delivered by a team of approximately 13 specialists led by CEO Diego De Marchi.
Symbolic operates a pure B2B channel-distribution model with no direct end-customer sales. Revenue is generated through product distribution margins on hardware and software resold to Italian resellers, supplemented by fees from training courses (e.g., €250 + VAT for WithSecure Elements courses, €1,100 + VAT for WatchGuard certification) and managed/remote security services. End customers are Italian enterprises and public administration entities reached indirectly through Symbolic's network of resellers and system integrators across all major industries (manufacturing, services, operating lease, and others). The company is 80% owned by Allnet.Italia, an independent ICT value-added distributor, following an acquisition signed in November 2021 and closed in January 2022; Symbolic continues to operate under its own brand with the remaining 20% held by original shareholders.
Symbolic's competitive positioning rests on three decades of Italian cybersecurity specialization, deep vendor-certified technical talent, a comprehensive multi-vendor portfolio spanning both established and emerging vendors, and recurring services revenue from training and managed security. Recent strategic activity (2023-2026) has emphasized portfolio breadth through new vendor additions such as Grandstream, Netwrix, Fudo Security, and ITsMine, alongside expansion of certified training programs. Geographic scope remains exclusively Italian, and the business model depends on maintaining distribution agreements with global cybersecurity vendors and a productive relationship with its Allnet.Italia parent group.
Symbolic firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Symbolic
- Legal name
- Symbolic S.r.l.
- Website
- https://symbolic.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Symbolic is an Italian Value Added Distributor (VAD) specializing in cybersecurity solutions, distributing a multi-vendor portfolio of network security, endpoint, HSM, and identity products to Italian resellers and system integrators since the mid-1990s. Now majority-owned by Allnet.Italia, it supplements distribution with training and managed services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Symbolic is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Parma
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Symbolic business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Distribution of cybersecurity products and solutions: Symbolic operates as a Value Added Distributor (VAD), purchasing products from security vendors and reselling them to their network of Italian resellers and system integrators. Revenue is generated through product margins and distribution fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time | Technical courses at €250 + VAT (promotional price) |
| Other | One-time | WatchGuard Network Security certification courses at €1,100 + VAT (first participant) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Symbolic product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Symbolic is an Italian Value Added Distributor (VAD) specializing in cybersecurity solutions, distributing a portfolio of security products from leading vendors (WatchGuard, WithSecure, Thales, Hillstone, Yubico, and others) through an extensive network of Italian resellers and system integrators. The company complements its product distribution with professional services including pre-sales and post-sales consulting, technical training, on-site support, remote security management, and authorized certification courses.
Product overview
Symbolic is an Italian Value Added Distributor (VAD) specializing in cybersecurity solutions with over 30 years of experience. The company distributes a portfolio of security products and provides comprehensive professional services including pre/post-sale consulting, on-site support, remote security management, and technical training. The product portfolio spans nine core security solution areas: Network Perimeter Security, HSM Device Integration, User Authentication, Digital Signature, Data Protection and Integrity, Endpoint Protection, Cryptographic Systems, Privileged Access Management/Identity & Access Management, and Application Delivery/Anti-DDoS solutions. Symbolic distributes products from major vendors including WatchGuard (firewalls, MFA, endpoint security), WithSecure Elements (cloud-native security platform with EPP, EDR, vulnerability management), Thales (HSM, data encryption), Hillstone Networks (NGFW, cloud security), A10 Networks (ADC, DDoS protection), Endpoint Protector (DLP, MDM), Entrust (PKI, HSM), Network Critical (network packet brokers), SSH.COM (privileged access), Systancia (PAM, ZTNA), Yubico (hardware authentication), and others. The company operates as part of the Allnet.Italia group and provides authorized training courses including WithSecure certification programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- WatchGuard Firebox (UTM Firewall) Unified Threat Management (UTM) firewall appliances providing network security, secure Wi-Fi, and multi-factor authentication for businesses of all sizes, distributed through Symbolic's Italian reseller channel.
- WatchGuard AuthPoint (MFA) Multi-factor authentication solution reducing network intrusion risk through innovative user identification methods including mobile DNA verification, with Active Directory, LDAP, and SAML integration support.
- Panda Adaptive Defense 360 Advanced endpoint security combining EPP and EDR capabilities with Zero-Trust Application and Threat Hunting services for complete process classification, using AI-based behavioral monitoring and anomaly detection.
- WithSecure Elements Cloud-native security platform covering vulnerability management, endpoint protection (EPP), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and collaboration security, with Microsoft 365 integration for advanced email threat protection.
- Thales Luna Network HSM Hardware Security Module providing secure cryptographic key management and protection for enterprise applications, ensuring maximum security for sensitive information and digital signatures.
- Thales CipherTrust Data Security Platform Data protection platform enabling centralized management of stored enterprise data security through encryption, tokenization, and key management for data at rest.
- Hillstone Next-Generation Firewall Advanced network protection firewalls with threat detection, intrusion prevention, and sandbox-based application protection using AI, covering perimeter security for enterprise networks.
- YubiKey Multi-protocol hardware authentication key enabling secure login to computers, networks, and online services with simple touch activation for strong two-factor and multi-factor authentication.
- Grandstream Network Switches High-performance network switches with advanced security features including VLAN-based access control and device authentication for enterprise network infrastructure.
- Grandstream Wi-Fi 6 Access Points Wi-Fi 6 access points supporting cloud management, on-premise application, or integrated interface management for enterprise wireless network deployments.
- Pre/Post-Sales Consulting Services Technical and commercial consulting services enabling channel partners to identify, propose, and implement the most appropriate cybersecurity solutions for their end customers, with continuous support across all implementation phases.
- Demo and Proof of Concept Services Live demonstrations and Proof of Concept testing for cybersecurity solutions, delivered both remotely and on-site at partner or client locations to validate solution fit before purchase.
- Remote Security Management Services Managed security services including remote administration and periodic reporting for distributed security solutions, enabling partners to deliver ongoing security operations to their end customers.
- Technical Training and Certification Courses Customizable technical and commercial courses, certification preparation, and specialized training programs for partners and their clients. Symbolic is a WithSecure Certification Authorized Training Center and offers WatchGuard certification courses.
- Technical Support Services First and second level technical support available 8x5 via telephone, email, and on-site, providing troubleshooting and assistance for distributed security solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Symbolic became WithSecure Certification Authorized Training Center
Companies that use Symbolic
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Symbolic technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability5 records
Feature1 record
Symbolic partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and minor.
- WatchGuardcoreSymbolic distributes WatchGuard's unified threat management (UTM) firewalls, multi-factor authentication (AuthPoint), and secure Wi-Fi solutions. They offer certification courses for WatchGuard products.
- WithSecure (formerly F-Secure)coreSymbolic distributes WithSecure's endpoint protection, managed detection and response, and vulnerability management solutions. Symbolic is also a WithSecure Certification Authorized Training Center.
- ThalescoreSymbolic distributes Thales HSM (Hardware Security Modules), cryptographic systems, data protection solutions, and authentication products including nShield and Luna Network HSM.
- EntrustcoreSymbolic distributes Entrust HSM solutions including nShield hardware security modules for cryptographic key management.
- Hillstone NetworksmajorSymbolic distributes Hillstone's next-generation firewalls, cloud protection (CloudEdge, CloudArmour, CloudHive), server protection (SBDS), and application protection (ADC, WAF) solutions.
- Network CriticalmajorSymbolic distributes Network Critical's Network Packet Brokers and TAP (Test Access Points) including the SmartNA-X HD platform with Drag-n-Vu technology.
- A10 NetworksmajorSymbolic distributes A10 Networks' application delivery controllers, load balancing, and anti-DDoS solutions.
- Endpoint ProtectormajorSymbolic distributes Endpoint Protector's data loss prevention (DLP) and mobile device management (MDM) solutions.
- SSH.COMmajorSymbolic distributes SSH.COM's trusted access solutions for information systems and data, including CryptoAuditor for privileged access monitoring.
- SystanciamajorSymbolic distributes Systancia's privileged access management, zero trust network access, secure access solutions, VPN, and privileged access monitoring solutions including Workroom and Cleanroom products.
- YubicomajorSymbolic distributes Yubico's YubiKey strong authentication keys and secure access solutions.
- ITsMinestrategicSymbolic partnered with ITsMine for managed data protection solutions, providing strategic protection of sensitive data.
- Fudo SecuritystrategicSymbolic signed partnership with Fudo Security for privileged access control solutions.
- NetwrixstrategicSymbolic partnered with Netwrix to add their 1Secure platform for data and identity security to their ecosystem.
- SosafeminorSymbolic distributes Sosafe's security awareness solutions.
- ProbelyminorSymbolic distributes Probely's security testing and vulnerability scanning solutions.
- GrandstreamminorSymbolic expanded their portfolio with Grandstream's network switches and Wi-Fi 6 access points for network infrastructure solutions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Symbolic competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Symbolic social profiles
Digital presenceSymbolic compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Symbolic financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Symbolic leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Symbolic funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Symbolic M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Symbolic
What does Symbolic do?
Symbolic is an Italian Value Added Distributor (VAD) specializing in cybersecurity solutions, distributing a portfolio of security products from leading vendors (WatchGuard, WithSecure, Thales, Hillstone, Yubico, and others) through an extensive network of Italian resellers and system integrators. The company complements its product distribution with professional services including pre-sales and post-sales consulting, technical training, on-site support, remote security management, and authorized certification courses.
Is Symbolic a public or private company?
Symbolic is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Symbolic founded?
Symbolic was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Symbolic based?
Symbolic is headquartered in Parma, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Symbolic make money?
One revenue line is on record: distribution of cybersecurity products and solutions.
Does Symbolic have an API?
No public API is recorded for Symbolic.