# Gen Digital

> American software company

**Wikidata**: [Q677085](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q677085)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen_Digital)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gen-digital

## Summary
Gen Digital is an American software company specializing in computer security, known for developing antivirus and cybersecurity solutions. It operates under the name Gen Digital Inc. and owns subsidiaries like Avast Software and Avira, both prominent in the cybersecurity industry.

## Key Facts
- Founded on March 1, 1982, in Sunnyvale, California, originally as Symantec Corporation.
- Rebranded to NortonLifeLock Inc. in 2019 and later to Gen Digital Inc. in 2022.
- CEO: Vincent Pilette (as of 2023).
- Revenue: $2.49 billion (2020 fiscal year).
- Owns subsidiaries Avast Software (acquired in 2022) and Avira (acquired in 2021).
- Listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "GEN" (since 2022).
- Part of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 indices.
- Headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, with previous headquarters in Mountain View, California.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Gen Digital known for?
A: Gen Digital is known for its cybersecurity and antivirus software, including products under the Norton brand. It also owns Avast and Avira, two major players in the computer security industry.

### Q: When was Gen Digital founded?
A: Gen Digital was originally founded as Symantec Corporation on March 1, 1982. It rebranded to NortonLifeLock in 2019 and to Gen Digital in 2022.

### Q: Who are the key people associated with Gen Digital?
A: Key figures include CEO Vincent Pilette, founder Gary Hendrix, and board members like Frank Dangeard and Pavel Baudiš.

### Q: What are Gen Digital's main competitors?
A: Gen Digital competes with companies like Kaspersky Lab, BlackBerry, and Microsoft in the cybersecurity and antivirus software market.

### Q: What are Gen Digital's financial highlights?
A: In 2020, Gen Digital reported revenue of $2.49 billion and a net profit of $3.89 billion. Its total assets were valued at $7.74 billion as of April 3, 2020.

## Why It Matters
Gen Digital plays a crucial role in the cybersecurity industry by providing software solutions that protect individuals and businesses from cyber threats. Its products, including Norton antivirus software, help safeguard sensitive data and prevent cyberattacks, which are increasingly prevalent in today's digital age. By acquiring companies like Avast and Avira, Gen Digital has expanded its global reach and strengthened its position as a leader in the computer security market. The company's innovations and contributions to cybersecurity have made it an essential player in ensuring digital safety and trust.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Cybersecurity**: One of the earliest companies to develop antivirus software, setting industry standards.
- **Acquisitions**: Strategic acquisitions of Avast Software (2022) and Avira (2021) to expand its market presence.
- **Rebranding**: Transition from Symantec to NortonLifeLock and finally to Gen Digital, reflecting its evolving focus.
- **Financial Performance**: Consistently high revenue and profitability, with $2.49 billion in revenue in 2020.
- **Global Reach**: Operations and subsidiaries in multiple countries, including the Czech Republic and Germany.

## Body
### History and Evolution
Gen Digital traces its origins to Symantec Corporation, founded in 1982 by Gary Hendrix. The company initially focused on software development and later expanded into cybersecurity. In 2019, Symantec rebranded to NortonLifeLock, emphasizing its Norton brand of antivirus products. The final rebranding to Gen Digital occurred in 2022, marking a new chapter in the company's history.

### Subsidiaries and Acquisitions
Gen Digital owns several subsidiaries, including:
- **Avast Software**: A Czech cybersecurity company acquired in 2022. Avast was founded in 1988 and is known for its antivirus products.
- **Avira**: A German computer security company acquired in 2021. Avira, founded in 2006, specializes in antivirus and internet security software.

### Financial Performance
Gen Digital has demonstrated strong financial performance over the years:
- **Revenue**: $2.49 billion (2020), $2.46 billion (2019), $2.56 billion (2018).
- **Net Profit**: $3.89 billion (2020), $31 million (2019), $1.14 billion (2018).
- **Total Assets**: $7.74 billion (2020), $15.94 billion (2019), $15.76 billion (2018).

### Leadership and Governance
- **CEO**: Vincent Pilette (since 2019).
- **Board Members**: Frank Dangeard (since 2007), Pavel Baudiš (since 2022), Ondřej Vlček (since 2022).
- **Ownership**: Major shareholders include The Vanguard Group (10.6% as of 2023), BlackRock (9.7% as of 2023), and PaBa Software (7.8% as of 2023).

### Products and Innovations
Gen Digital is known for its Norton brand of cybersecurity products, which include antivirus software, internet security suites, and identity theft protection services. The company has also developed technologies like the Veritas File System and THINK C, an extension of ANSI C for classic Mac OS.

### Competitive Landscape
Gen Digital competes with several major players in the cybersecurity industry:
- **Kaspersky Lab**: A Russian multinational cybersecurity company.
- **BlackBerry**: Known for enterprise software and Internet of Things solutions.
- **Microsoft**: A technology giant with a strong presence in cybersecurity and endpoint protection.

### Industry Affiliations
Gen Digital is a member of several industry organizations, including:
- **Linux Foundation**: Joined in 2019.
- **CVE Numbering Authority**: Participates in vulnerability management.
- **FIDO Alliance**: Focuses on authentication standards.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/gen-digital-inc?rid=083146048556-68)
2. [proxy statement](https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000849399/7186bfcc-1852-494f-90f9-188207fcea9c.pdf)
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/membership/members/)
6. [Source](https://cve.mitre.org/cve/request_id.html#cna_participants)
7. [Source](https://fidoalliance.org/members/)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](https://s24.q4cdn.com/151081985/files/doc_financials/2019/ar/NortonLifeLock-Inc.-2020-Annual-Report.pdf)
10. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
11. [Source](https://s27.q4cdn.com/129646744/files/doc_financials/2021/ar/NLOK-2021-Annual-Report-(1).pdf)
12. GRID Release 2016-12-06
13. BabelNet
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. [Report a Security Vulnerability](https://www.bluecoat.com/support/report-a-security-vulnerability)
16. Via P227 lookup with GND value from PM20 folder. 20th Century Press Archives
17. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
18. ROR release v2.1
19. [Working at NortonLifeLock | Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.sg/Overview/Working-at-NortonLifeLock-EI_IE1931.11,25.htm?countryRedirect=true)
20. YouTube API
21. Wikirate