Business Concept, aims and strategy

Norman engages in the development and sales of security software for computers and related products and services. This applies to product areas such as virus control, personal firwall, encryption, antispam, etc.

Norman shall be one of the leading companies in the field of data security with emphasis on software solutions.

The activities shall be customer-oriented with emphasis on standard products meeting the most important industry standards. The most important target group shall be large users.

In Norway, Norman shall maintain its market position as the leading supplier of virus control software. In addition more emphasis shall be put on the sale of security solutions in the connection with consulting business.

Norman’s main markets are currently Scandinavia, Central Europe and the USA.

Highlights from Norman’s history

2005

Norman continues to strengthen its market position in Europe. Excluding Norway, Europe now represents 70% of Norman's total revenue.

Norman Sandbox 2005 is released.

2004

In August Ibas is demerged and noted separately on Oslo Stock Exchange. Norman is then even better suited to focus on its core business.

2003

Norman includes SPAM prevention products in its product portfolio.

Norman's Sandbox Technology which prevents unknown malware infecting computers is developed further.This is now one of the most advanced techniques available.

2002

Norman enters into agreements with several large Internet Service Providers to supply their users with Norman's security products.

In July an agreement with Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC) was reached. All home computers from FSC in the Nordic markets are delevered with Norman Internet Control pre-installed.

2001

In September it was decided to close down the Security Solutions business unit. Norman will from now on focus on the two business units 

• Virus Control with products and services related to virus protection, personal firewall and email encryption. 
• Ibas with products and services in the field of data recovery, secure data erasure and computer forensic.

2000

Norman increased its ownership in Ibas to 99,29% and soon thereafter to 100%.

Norman ASA was divided into three separate business units, all with separate visions and strategies: 

• Norman Virus Control
• Norman Security Solutions
• Ibas

Norman Virus Control, version 5 and Norman Personal Firewall were launched.

1999

The holding company changed its name to Norman ASA.

Norman increased its ownership in Ibas to 94,35%.

1998

Norman acquired the remaining 70% of Norman Data Defense Systems AG effective from 1 January 1998.

Norman further acquired 70% of the shares in the Dutch companies SHARK BV and SHARK International BV with effect from 1 March, as well as 100% of ESaSS BV with effect from 1 April.

A subsidiary was established in UK.

1997

Internet Security Inc. changed its name to Norman Data Defense Systems Development Inc.

Norman reached an agreement to merge with the Dutch company ESaSS BV which develops ThunderByte Anti Virus Utilities. ESaSS BV will change its name to Norman Data Defense Systems BV when the purchase is finalized.

Norman increased its ownership in Ibas to 86%.

1996

With effect from January 1996 Norman Data Defense Systems Holding AS acquired the outstanding 20% of shares in Norman Data Defense Systems Inc. and the outstanding 60% of shares in Internet Security Inc., which make both 100% owned subsidiaries of Norman.

The company establishes the subsidiary Norman Data Defense Systems AG in Basel, Switzerland.

Norman and Seagate Software in USA reached a bundling agreement about Virus Control.

Norman increased its ownership in Ibas to 81%.

1995

Norman Firewall was launched in March at the Cebit trade fair in Hanover.

Norman was awarded a large virus control contract with the US Department of Defense. The contract is for around 1,5 million users.

Together with a group of American specialists, Norman sets up Internet Security Inc. which will own all the rights to Norman Firewall.

In December Norman acquired a 59% stake in Instrumentbyrået AS (Ibas).

In December Norman acquired all the shares in the Australian company Robust Software Pty.

1994

A new corporate structure is established, whereby the holding company, Norman Data Defense Systems Holding AS, acts as the parent company for the operating companies in the individual markets.

In October a subsidiary is established in Germany, based outside Düsseldorf.

1993

The company enters into technology exchange contract with RE Solutions of Malaysia.

The company establishes the subsidiary Norman Data Defense Systems Inc. in Washington, USA.

1992

Change of name to Norman Data Defense Systems AS.

The company sets the goal of growing internationally.

1991

The company’s investment in security products begins to show results. Best year so far.The company became the market-leader in the Norwegian market.

1990

The company sets itself the target of becoming market leader in virus control in Norway.

1988

The first computer virus is discovered in Norway.

Emphasis is put on software development for data security products.

1986

The world’s first computer virus on a PC is discovered.

1984

The company is founded October 1, 1984.