Painting the Picture of Cybersecurity
Cyber threats are no longer confined to computer screens as they shape industries, economies, and even societies. In this exclusive interview, cybersecurity global expert Mikko Hyppönen paints the picture how the digital battlefield has evolved, what industrial leaders must do to protect their business operations, and why AI-generated art unsettles him.
Mikko Hyppönen, a legendary cybersecurity expert, stands at the Museum of Malware Art in Helsinki, highlighting cyber defense as a delicate balance between harmony and chaos.
The walls around Mikko Hyppönen tell a story. Abstract paintings, digital sculptures, and eerie sound installations inspired by cyber threats surround him. Standing in the heart of Museum of Malware Art, the world’s first cybersecurity-themed art gallery at
WithSecurity headquarters Helsinki, he speaks about a different kind of artistry, the symphony of cyber defense, where every note can make the difference between harmony and chaos.
Hyppönen, a legendary cybersecurity expert and global thought leader, has spent decades tracking the evolution of digital threats. But for him, the battle against cybercrime is more than just a technical challenge; it’s a fundamental aspect of modern society’s survival.
The evolution of cyber threats. Looking back at his career, Hyppönen reflects on how dramatically the cybersecurity landscape has changed. “When I started in the 1990s, viruses were mostly created by hobbyists—teenagers writing code for fun, sometimes destructive, but without a real financial motive. Today, we are facing highly organized crime syndicates and nation-state actors who conduct sophisticated attacks for power, money, and political gain.”
One of the most surprising transformations has been the industrialization of cybercrime. “Hackers don’t just create malware anymore,” he explains. “They run full-fledged businesses, complete with customer support for victims who are paying ransoms. The attacks are automated, efficient, and relentless.”
The industrial cyber war is a new battlefield. “Technology revolutions shape our world more than anything else,” Hyppönen states. “We’ve seen it with the internet, mobile technology, and now artificial intelligence. Each revolution brings progress but also risks.”
For industrial and manufacturing companies, these risks are no longer hypothetical. Cyberattacks on factories and production lines are becoming as disruptive as physical disasters like fires or power failures. “The difference is that no arsonist stands outside a factory trying to set fires every single day. But cybercriminals are constantly trying to break in, every hour and every second.”
According to Mikko Hyppönen, one of the most surprising transformations has been the industrialization of cybercrime.
Recent attacks have shown how organized and persistent cybercriminals are. “These aren’t lone hackers in basements,” Hyppönen warns. “These are fully structured organizations and the methods they use range from exploiting outdated systems to deploying sophisticated AI-driven phishing campaigns.”
The weakest link is connectivity and complacency. Many industrial leaders still believe they are not targets. “Why would they come after us?” is a common sentiment, Hyppönen says. “But when you analyze attack patterns, you see no logic in victim selection. One day, a steel manufacturer in Canada. The next, a furniture company in the Netherlands. Hackers don’t choose their victims; they find vulnerabilities and exploit them.”
What is a common entry point for these attacks? Poorly secured remote access systems. In the race for efficiency and digital transformation, factories have connected their networks in ways that expose them to threats. “Every system today assumes that electricity and the internet will always be there,” Hyppönen explains. “The moment one fails, production halts. In ten years, losing internet connectivity will be as catastrophic as a total electricity failure today.”
Seeing the unseen. When asked how companies can defend themselves, Hyppönen emphasizes one thing: visibility. “You can’t protect what you can’t see. Do you know how many devices are connected to your company network? How many are running outdated software and how many have unnecessary access to critical systems?”
Hyppönen recommends industrial companies to conduct regular security audits, penetration tests, and continuous network monitoring. “Think of it like tuning an orchestra. If one instrument is out of tune, the entire performance suffers. The same applies to cybersecurity. A single vulnerable device can be an entry point for disaster.”
One of the most effective ways to test a company’s vulnerabilities, he adds, is to order a controlled attack. “Ethical hacking exercises allow organizations to identify weak points before real attackers do. We conduct these penetration tests, and, in my experience, there is no system that cannot be breached. Once vulnerabilities are found and fixed, the test should be repeated to ensure security improvements hold.”
The AI dilemma: art or algorithm? Despite his fascination with technology, Hyppönen is not entirely comfortable with all aspects of artificial intelligence. “I don’t particularly like the idea that AI can create art, whether it’s music, poetry, or visual art pieces,” he admits. “Creativity has always been uniquely human, and the thought of a machine generating something deeply emotional feels unsettling to me.”
To illustrate his point, Hyppönen recalls an example. “Last year, a song generated entirely by AI made it to the German single charts. The AI composed the melody, wrote the lyrics, arranged the music, and even synthesized the vocals. No human intervention. And yet, it became a commercial hit.”
He pauses for a moment before adding, “That’s both impressive and terrifying despite the fact that I actually liked the song.”
What’s Next? Looking ahead, Hyppönen sees an even more disruptive technological shift on the horizon: quantum computing.
“Once we have sufficiently powerful quantum computers, they will break most of today’s encryption standards,” he warns. “This means that every piece of encrypted data stored today might become readable in the future. Organizations need to start preparing for post-quantum cryptography now.”
The implications for industry are profound. Secure communications encrypted financial transactions, and intellectual property protection all depend on encryption. “If we don’t develop new security standards in time, we could face a global crisis where everything we thought was safe, is suddenly exposed,” he adds.
The man behind the mission. For someone who spends his days battling digital criminals, how does Hyppönen unwind? The answer lies in a different kind of machine: the pinball machine. “I love playing pinball,” he says with a smile. “I even compete at the national level.” Restoring and maintaining vintage pinball machines gives him the same satisfaction as fighting cyber threats. Both require precision, patience, and an eye for patterns.
But ultimately, what keeps Hyppönen motivated is the bigger picture. “Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting computers. It’s about protecting societies,” he says. “In a world where everything runs on technology, securing digital infrastructure is as crucial as securing physical borders.”
Hyppönen also highlights the value of working with a team of top-tier professionals from around the world. “The best part of this job is working alongside some of the most brilliant minds. Together, we help organizations during their worst moments: when they’re in the middle of a crisis and need real solutions fast.”
As he walks through the gallery, past an AI-generated piece visualizing a ransomware attack, Hyppönen pauses. “We’re in a digital renaissance. And like any great era of change, it comes with both beauty and destruction. Our job is to make sure the balance tips toward the right side. The cyber symphony is now playing, but the question is: are we listening?”
According to Mikko Hyppönen, one of the most surprising transformations has been the industrialization of cybercrime
He works as the Chief Research Officer at WithSecure and as the Principal Research Advisor at F-Secure. With over 30 years of experience, he has been instrumental in battling major cyber threats and has worked on some of the most significant malware outbreaks in history. Hyppönen has also been a key figure in uncovering cybercrime operations and online espionage.
Hyppönen has been named one of the 50 most influential people on the web by PC World and was recognized as a "Code Warrior" by Vanity Fair. He has written extensively for publications such as Scientific American and Foreign Policy, further solidifying his position as a thought leader in the field.
In addition to his speaking engagements, Hyppönen is the author of the book If It’s Smart, It’s Vulnerable, where he discusses the security risks posed by modern technology.
From Invisible Threats to Visible Art
“While malware was never meant to be art, it reveals an unintended artistry — a creativity born from skilled programming mixed with disruptive intent. By bringing malware and art together, the Museum of Malware Art lets us look beyond the code to see the bigger picture these digital threats paint a story about trust, vulnerability, and the hidden effects of technology.”
Mikko Hyppönen
Chief Research Officer, WithSecure
Curator, Museum of Malware Art
Text: Mia Heiskanen
Photos: Sami Perttilä
