Given a quantum field theory on a D-dimensional spacetime, its global symmetries can often be understood in terms of a gapped higher-dimensional "Symmetry Theory." In this broader formulation, the original QFT degrees of freedom can be viewed as edges mode with the corresponding spectrum of defects and symmetries governed by boundary conditions of the Symmetry Theory. In this talk we show how these structures arise from top down, i.e., stringy constructions, and also explain how string theory considerations naturally lead to generalizations of these structures. In particular, we explain how non-topological structures typically appear in the context of holographic theories, multi-sector QFTs, as well as theories with hierarchical energy scales.