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.