In this English-language episode of My Precious Data, cybersecurity expert Eddy Willems sits down with one of the most recognized voices in the industry: Mikko Hyppönen, currently with Sensofusion and formerly of WithSecure.

Eddy and Mikko go back to the late 1990s, a time when computer viruses were spreading via floppy disks and email attachments, long before cybercrime became a global industry and cyberwarfare entered mainstream discussions.

This episode is both a journey through the history of cybersecurity and a sharp look at where we are heading.

“We used to fight individuals writing viruses for fun. Today, we are dealing with organized crime and nation-state actors,” says Mikko Hyppönen.

“Cybersecurity has grown from a technical niche into a fundamental part of our society,” adds Eddy Willems.

Together, they explore how the threat landscape has evolved, from early malware outbreaks to modern ransomware, disinformation, and geopolitical cyber conflict.

Topics discussed:

• The early days of antivirus and virus hunting
• The rise of cybercrime and ransomware
• Nation-state attacks and cyberwarfare
• The role of ethics and responsibility in cybersecurity
• What the future holds in an increasingly connected world

“The biggest change isn’t technology, it’s who is behind the attacks.” – Mikko Hyppönen

A deep, honest and sometimes nostalgic conversation between two veterans who have witnessed the transformation of cybersecurity from the inside.

In this English-language episode of My Precious Data, cybersecurity expert Eddy Willems sits down with longtime colleague and industry veteran Jeannette Jarvis from CTA.

Eddy and Jeannette go back to the late 1990s, a time when cybersecurity was still a niche domain, long before it became a boardroom priority. Their conversation reflects not only decades of experience, but also the evolution of the industry through very different lenses.

This episode also marks a small but meaningful milestone: it’s the first time Eddy welcomes a female cybersecurity expert to the podcast, bringing a fresh and valuable perspective to the discussion.

“Cybersecurity has always been about understanding behaviour, not just technology,” says Jeannette Jarvis.

“We often focus on systems, but it’s people who make the difference between security and vulnerability,” adds Eddy Willems.

Together, they explore how the human factor, awareness, and communication have become central pillars of modern cybersecurity.

Topics discussed:

• The evolution of cybersecurity since the late 90s
• The importance of human behaviour in security
• Awareness, education, and communication challenges
• Diversity and perspectives in cybersecurity
• Lessons learned from decades in the field

“Technology changes fast but human behaviour changes much slower. That’s where the real challenge lies.” – Jeannette Jarvis

A thoughtful, honest and engaging conversation between two experts who have witnessed and helped shape the evolution of cybersecurity over decades.

In this new English episode of My Precious Data, cybersecurity expert Eddy Willems sits down with longtime colleague and friend Andreas Clementi, founder of AV-Comparatives, the independent organisation behind some of the most respected security product tests worldwide.

For decades, AV-Comparatives has been the silent benchmark behind the cybersecurity industry. Vendors build products. Marketing teams make claims. But independent testing determines what truly works.

Eddy and Andreas go back many years, to a time when antivirus testing was less structured and transparency in performance evaluation was still evolving. Together, they reflect on how independent testing became a cornerstone of trust in the security ecosystem.

“Independent testing is not about attacking vendors, it’s about improving protection for users,” says Andreas Clementi.

“Without transparency and objective testing, trust in cybersecurity would simply collapse,” adds Eddy Willems.

The conversation dives into:

• The origins of AV-Comparatives
• The evolution of malware testing methodologies
• False positives, performance testing and real-world scenarios
• The pressure and responsibility of independent testing
• The future of security validation in an AI-driven world

“Testing must evolve as threats evolve. Otherwise we measure yesterday’s problems, not tomorrow’s risks.” – Andreas Clementi

An insightful and candid discussion about trust, integrity and the often unseen backbone of the cybersecurity industry.

In this new English episode of the My Precious Data Podcast, Eddy Willems sits down with a true legend in cybersecurity: Pavel Baudiš, the co-founder of AVAST and current Board Member of GEN.

Pavel and Eddy share a friendship that spans decades, back to the early days when computer viruses were spreading on floppy disks, and the word “cybersecurity” didn’t even exist yet. Together, they reflect on the origins of AVAST, the passion that drove early antivirus pioneers, and how the industry evolved from a handful of enthusiasts into a global ecosystem.

“When I first saw a computer virus, I didn’t see it as a threat: I saw it as a challenge to be solved,” recalls Pavel Baudiš.
“That curiosity, that sense of mission, is what connected many of us in those early days,” adds Eddy Willems.

Their conversation touches on the ethics of cybersecurity, the balance between privacy and innovation, and the enduring importance of trust, both between users and companies, and between people in the cybersecurity community itself.

It’s a deeply insightful, honest, and sometimes nostalgic dialogue between two industry veterans who have seen the field evolve, but never lost their human perspective.

Topics discussed:

• The creation and evolution of AVAST
• How the spirit of curiosity became a global cybersecurity movement
• Ethics, responsibility, and the human factor in digital protection
• The importance of collaboration and trust in an AI-driven world

“Cybersecurity was never about fame or fortune. It was, and still is, about doing the right thing.” – Pavel Baudiš.

In this English-language episode of the My Precious Data Podcast, Eddy Willems reconnects with an old friend and cybersecurity pioneer, Tjark Auerbach, the founder of Avira (now part of Gen Digital), one of Europe’s earliest and most respected antivirus companies.

Their conversation goes far beyond technology: it’s a journey through decades of cybersecurity evolution, innovation, and shared history. From the early days of fighting computer viruses to the global challenges of today, both experts reflect on how much the world (and the industry) has changed, and what remains truly important.

“Back then, we weren’t just building software, we were building trust,” says Tjark Auerbach.
“For me, cybersecurity has always been about people first. The technology is just the tool,” adds Eddy Willems.

The discussion is personal, insightful, and at moments even a little emotional, as two veterans of the field look back at their parallel journeys and the legacy of a shared mission: making the digital world safer for everyone.

Topics discussed:

• The founding story and philosophy behind Avira
• How the antivirus industry evolved from passion projects to global enterprises
• Ethics, trust, and the human side of cybersecurity
• Lessons learned from decades on the digital frontlines

A rare and authentic conversation between two pioneers who helped shape the cybersecurity landscape as we know it.

In this English-language episode of the My Precious Data Podcast, cybersecurity expert Eddy Willems sits down with longtime colleague (LSEC) and internationally renowned cryptographer Prof. Dr. Bart Preneel (KU Leuven). Together, they explore the past, present, and future of cybersecurity — from the foundations of cryptography to the political and societal challenges of digital trust today.

Topics discussed:

• The evolution of cryptography and its real-world applications
• The balance between privacy, security, and surveillance
• Quantum computing: a threat or a promise?
• Europe's role in shaping global cybersecurity standards
• What needs to change in the next decade?

Quotes from the episode:

“In the end, trust is not built by technology alone. It’s about governance, transparency, and respect for users.” — Prof. Dr. Bart Preneel

“People often think cybersecurity is just about hackers and firewalls. But it's deeply tied to our rights, our freedom, and the way societies function.” — Eddy Willems

“We are now entering an era where cryptography will face its biggest challenge: quantum resistance.” — Prof. Dr. Bart Preneel

This is not just a technical conversation — it's a thought-provoking dialogue between two world-leading experts who have been part of the cybersecurity evolution for decades.

In this first-ever English-language episode of the My Precious Data Podcast, Eddy Willems, international cybersecurity expert, sits down with Luis Corrons, longtime friend and Global Security Evangelist at GEN (formerly AVAST). With decades of experience between them, they explore the shifting cybersecurity landscape — from the early days of antivirus to today’s AI-driven threats and misinformation campaigns.

What to expect:

• A look back at the evolution of cybersecurity over the last 25 years
• How GEN is adapting to modern cyber threats
• The role of user trust, awareness, and digital ethics
• Real-world challenges in protecting users at a global scale
• A candid discussion between two veteran cyber evangelists

Memorable quotes:

“Cybersecurity is no longer just about protection. It's about trust, resilience, and digital responsibility.” — Eddy Willems

“We’re not just fighting malware anymore. We're up against disinformation, deepfakes, and AI-generated attacks.” — Luis Corrons

“We need to empower users, not just shield them.” — Luis Corrons

Whether you're a cybersecurity professional, policymaker, or simply interested in how the digital world is evolving, this episode offers valuable global insights with a personal touch.

In deze boeiende aflevering van de WAVCi Podcast gaat cybersecurity expert Eddy Willems in gesprek met Miguel De Bruycker, de Managing Directeur-Generaal van het Centrum voor Cybersecurity België (CCB). Samen duiken ze dieper in de uitdagingen en evoluties van de Belgische cyberveiligheid, zowel op nationaal als internationaal niveau.

Hoe beschermt België zich tegen steeds geavanceerdere cyberdreigingen? Welke rol speelt samenwerking tussen overheid, bedrijven en burgers in het versterken van onze digitale weerbaarheid? En hoe ziet de toekomst van cybersecurity eruit?

Een eerlijk, inhoudelijk en soms verrassend gesprek tussen twee zwaargewichten uit de Belgische cybersecuritywereld.

Thema's in deze aflevering:

• Hoe België zich positioneert in de internationale cyberwereld
• Welke dreigingen het CCB dagelijks monitort
• Waarom samenwerking tussen overheid, bedrijven en burgers cruciaal is
• Hoe we de Belgische burger beter kunnen beschermen tegen cyberaanvallen
• Een terugblik én een blik vooruit op onze digitale toekomst

Enkele opmerkelijke quotes uit het gesprek:

"We moeten mensen niet bang maken, maar wel alert. Cybersecurity is geen kwestie van angst, maar van gezond verstand en weerbaarheid." — Miguel De Bruycker

"Je hebt geen veiligheid zonder bewustzijn. Technologie alleen gaat het niet oplossen." — Eddy Willems

"Het CCB is er niet alleen voor de overheid. Onze missie is om alle lagen van de samenleving digitaal weerbaar te maken." — Miguel De Bruycker

De vraag van 1 miljoen

Aan het eind van de aflevering draait Miguel de rollen even om en stelt hij dé (niet op voorhand gekende) vraag aan Eddy Willems:
"Wat zou jij doen als jij morgen de leiding had over het CCB?"
Eddy’s antwoord? Eerlijk, doordacht en misschien een tikkeltje onverwacht. Mis het niet!

Mis deze aflevering niet als je interesse hebt in digitale veiligheid, beleid en praktijkervaringen uit eerste hand.