After fighting malware for decades, this cybersecurity veteran is now hacking drones

Mikko Hyppönen captivates his audience as he strides across the stage, his distinct dark blonde ponytail contrasting sharply with his sharp teal suit. A well-known figure in the cybersecurity realm, he addresses a gathering of hackers and security experts at a major global convention. With a serious tone, he likens cybersecurity to 'Tetris,' explaining how successes can disappear while failures accumulate. "The challenge we face in cybersecurity is that our work often goes unnoticed. When you do your job well, the result is a lack of incidents," he shares during his keynote at Black Hat in Las Vegas in 2025. Hyppönen’s extensive career spans over 35 years, during which he has battled malware since its early days when terms like 'computer virus' or 'trojan' were more commonplace than 'malware.' In an era when few had internet access, he recalls a time when viruses spread via floppy disks. Throughout his career, he has analyzed thousands of malware variants, becoming a respected voice in the cybersecurity community, largely due to his insightful talks at international conferences. Now, Hyppönen is shifting his focus from malware to a new frontier: drone warfare. Living near Finland's border with Russia, he feels compelled to address the threats posed by drones, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where unmanned aerial attacks have caused significant casualties. He believes that while traditional malware threats persist, the landscape of cybersecurity has evolved dramatically over the past two decades. For instance, he points out that modern devices like iPhones boast robust security features, but the cybersecurity measures surrounding drones remain largely unexplored. Hyppönen's journey into cybersecurity began in the 1980s, where he initially hacked video games and learned coding by creating adventure games. His first professional role at Data Fellows, which later became F-Secure, honed his reverse engineering skills and set him on a path to becoming a leading figure in malware defense. As he reflects on his career, he notes a significant transformation in malware development, shifting from passionate hobbyists to sophisticated cybercriminals. The landscape has changed, with fewer self-replicating viruses and a rise in financially motivated attacks, often facilitated by cryptocurrencies. The cybersecurity industry has grown enormously, now estimated at $250 billion. This evolution has professionalized the field, necessitating the development of paid services to combat malware effectively. As technological advancements make devices harder to hack, the cost of exploiting them has skyrocketed, making such activities the realm of well-funded entities, such as governments, rather than individual criminals. In mid-2025, Hyppönen transitioned to a new role as the chief research officer at Sensofusion, a Helsinki-based company specializing in anti-drone technology for military and law enforcement applications. His motivation stems from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has been significantly impacted by drone usage. As someone with ties to military service and a personal connection to the conflict, Hyppönen feels a deep sense of responsibility to combat these emerging threats. He emphasizes the importance of not only addressing current drone technologies but also anticipating future developments. "We are on the side of humans fighting machines, which may sound like science fiction but is very real for us," he states. Hyppönen draws parallels between his past work in malware defense and his current efforts against drones, noting that both require the development of detection mechanisms and strategies to counteract threats. Through his insights, Hyppönen reveals that the tactics for addressing malware and drones share commonalities, including the need to identify and neutralize threats. With his extensive background in cybersecurity, he remains vigilant in the ongoing struggle against evolving threats, now focusing his expertise on the challenges posed by drone technology, particularly as he faces an adversary that is all too familiar: Russian aggression.