Distributor ADN Distribution is expanding its Microsoft security offering with the iShield Key 2 from manufacturer Swissbit. The hardware key is meant to help partners turn phishing-resistant authentication into customer projects and services.
ADN Distribution GmbH is adding solutions from Swissbit, a manufacturer of storage and security products headquartered in Switzerland, to its Microsoft security ecosystem. The focus is the iShield Key 2, a hardware security key for authentication based on the FIDO2 standard. According to ADN, the offering targets system integrators, resellers and managed service providers (MSPs) that implement identity protection in cloud and security projects.
Identity protection as a project field
As applications, data and identities move to the cloud, requirements for protecting user accounts and privileged access are rising, according to ADN. Modern identity and access concepts are thus becoming a fixed part of security and compliance strategies. From the distributor’s perspective, this gives system integrators, resellers and MSPs a growing business field around identity security, compliance and zero-trust architectures. The characterization as a growth field thus rests on ADN’s own assessment; the announcement presents no market data.
ADN positions itself as a Microsoft security and enablement partner and points to training, technical workshops, sales support and best-practice concepts. As an authorized Microsoft Training Service Center partner, the company says it accompanies partners from qualification through the implementation of customer projects. Resellers could thereby win new business or extend existing cloud, security and modern workplace projects with identity and access protection services.
The iShield Key 2 in the portfolio
According to ADN, the iShield Key 2 supports phishing-resistant FIDO2 authentication for Microsoft and Entra ID environments and enables passwordless sign-in scenarios. FIDO2 is an open authentication standard that allows sign-ins using public-key cryptography instead of passwords; credentials are bound to the relevant domain, which makes phishing attacks harder. Kai Kirschner, Business Development Manager IT Security & Networking at ADN, describes the key as a hardware-based addition to the portfolio that is suitable for compatible Microsoft and Entra ID services. “Depending on the version and existing infrastructure, the key can also be relevant for physical access solutions,” Kirschner said. Partners could use it to implement suitable authentication and security concepts for their customers. The announcement gives no figures on customers already using the key.
Swissbit bets on the DACH channel
Hendrik Fliermann, Sales Director Security Solutions at Swissbit, points to ADN’s position in the Microsoft ecosystem. The distributor works closely with system integrators, resellers and MSPs that deliver cloud, identity and security projects for customers. Together, the two want to anchor phishing-resistant authentication more firmly in Microsoft and Entra ID environments, Fliermann said. Partners are expected to develop security solutions and new services from it. He calls the collaboration a milestone for Swissbit’s further growth in the DACH region.
About the companies
ADN says it has been in the market since 1994 and works with more than 7,000 resellers, system integrators and MSPs in the DACH region. The owner-managed company generated revenue of about 840 million euros in 2025 (2023: 780 million euros) and was certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 in September 2025. Swissbit was founded in 2001, maintains offices in Germany, the United States, Japan and Taiwan, and manufactures electronics at its Berlin site.
Dr. Jakob Jung is Editor-in-Chief of Security Storage and Channel Germany. He has been working in IT journalism for more than 20 years. His career includes Computer Reseller News, Heise Resale, Informationweek, Techtarget (storage and data center) and ChannelBiz. He also freelances for numerous IT publications, including Computerwoche, Channelpartner, IT-Business, Storage-Insider and ZDnet. His main topics are channel, storage, security, data center, ERP and CRM.
Contact via Mail: jakob.jung@security-storage-und-channel-germany.de