Mikko Hyppönen

Mikko Hyppönen is a pioneer in the world of cybersecurity. Since the 1990s, he has been fighting viruses, malware and digital espionage worldwide. His work has taken him to countries including Pakistan, where he tracked down the creators of the first-ever PC virus, ‘Brain’ – a journey that resulted in a widely viewed documentary. Mikko regularly appears in international media and advises governments, multinational corporations and civil society organisations on digital resilience.

Mikko Hyppönen as a Speaker

As a speaker, Mikko is both highly knowledgeable and accessible. He takes audiences into the world of digital threats, smart technology and privacy issues without resorting to technical jargon or fearmongering. His TED Talk Fighting viruses, defending the net has been translated into more than 40 languages and reached millions of viewers. Mikko is a sought-after speaker on leading stages such as TED, DEF CON, Black Hat and RSA Conference. His style is clear, thoughtful and infused with a touch of humour; his message is always relevant and urgent. With his sharp analysis and compelling storytelling, Mikko Hyppönen is an essential voice in today’s and tomorrow’s digital world.

Career

Mikko Hyppönen has delivered hundreds of keynotes in more than 40 countries and was named one of PC World’s ‘50 Most Important People on the Web’. Foreign Policy named him one of its ‘Top 100 Global Thinkers’. Alongside his work on stage, he is active as a writer, commentator and podcast guest. His contributions have appeared in publications including The New York Times, Wired and Scientific American. He has also taught at universities including Oxford, Stanford and Cambridge. His book  'If It’s Smart, It’s Vulnerable' explains in an accessible way why smart technology makes us vulnerable and what we can do about it.