My Precious Data

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.