Panda Security, 18 years competing in the computer security market
July 2008 by Emmanuelle Lamandé
Panda Security has been in the computer security sector for 18 years now. Since its foundation in 1990, the company created by Mikel Urizarbarrena has been characterized for developing effective technologies, staying in the vanguard of the IT security industry.
Panda was set up as a small Spanish company to cater for the security needs of the local market against the few viruses that existed at the time. However, shortly after, Panda started an internalization plan that turned it into a multinational company which has consolidated its international presence through a system of subsidiaries and franchises. At present, the company plans to buy some of its franchises, turning them into new subsidiaries to join those it already has in the USA, Spain, France and Japan.
In 2007, the company changed its name, from Panda Software to Panda Security, to better reflect its commitment to offering global security. Moreover, notable investment groups, such as Investindustrial and Gala Capital, and later HarbourVest Partners and Atlantic Bridge Ventures, entered the company’s share capital.
Panda Security has been able to adapt through all this time to the changing malware situation; from the early years when there were just a few viruses created by young programmers craving notoriety to the appearance of Internet mafias whose only objective is to steal money.
Now the company manages once more to stay one step ahead of threat creators with its “Collective Intelligence” security model.
Panda Security has always been aware of the importance of informing users of the need for computer security, taking part in initiatives such as the Internet Security Campaigns organized by the Spanish Association of Internet Users or, more recently, the Infected or Not campaign, which aims to raise awareness among users about the current malware situation.