Why Patience Beats Shortage in Cyber Security - Episode 63 - Benny Czarny, OPSWAT

Welcome to Episode 63 of the Cyber Security Matters Podcast, brought to you by neuco. 

In this episode, hosts Gia Thomas and Harry Baldwin sit down with Benny Czarny, Founder and CEO of OPSWAT, for a wide-ranging conversation about rethinking cybersecurity from the ground up, the power of patience in building teams, and what inspired him to write his upcoming book Cybersecurity Upside Down. 

With over 20 years leading OPSWAT, Benny shares the journey behind building deep CDR (Content Disarm and Reconstruction) technology, why the industry's detection-focused mindset needs to be flipped, and how he's aiming to influence regulators worldwide. We also explore OPSWAT's exciting roadmap for 2026, including AI-powered engines, an optical firewall, a cybersecurity TV series, and ambitions for a public offering. 

Key topics covered: 

• Why Benny wrote Cybersecurity Upside Down and how the book challenges industry norms 

• The limitations of antivirus technology and why it was never designed to scan files 

• Deep CDR explained: regenerating files to eliminate threats rather than detecting them 

• Why cybersecurity training needs to be more holistic and less tactical 

• The case against "talent shortage" - and why patience and training matter more 

• Skills the next generation of cyber professionals will need, including fluency across LLM models 

• OPSWAT's 2026 roadmap: AI prediction engine, optical firewalls, proactive DLP, and a Mythbusters-style TV series 

• Leadership philosophy: the three honourable ways to leave a company 

• Advice for newcomers: listen to your gut, innovate, and delight your customers 

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 
00:33 Benny's Journey into Cybersecurity 
01:26 The Story Behind Cybersecurity Upside Down 
04:37 Book Walkthrough and Key Concepts (slides) 
19:21 Upcoming Technology and Announcements 
22:23 OPSWAT's Cybersecurity TV Series 
25:37 Advice for Writing a Book 
27:52 Talent Challenges in Cybersecurity 
32:04 Why Patience Beats Shortage 
33:06 Skills for the Next Generation 
36:55 Leadership Principles and Retention 
38:06 Three Honourable Ways to Leave a Company 
40:30 OPSWAT's 2026 Roadmap and IPO Ambitions 
44:29 Final Advice for Aspiring Professionals 

About our guest: 

Benny Czarny is the Founder and CEO of OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection and cybersecurity solutions trusted by governments, utilities, and enterprises worldwide. With over two decades of experience, Benny has built OPSWAT into a company serving customers across nuclear, banking, manufacturing, and defence sectors. He is also a respected speaker and author, with his upcoming book Cybersecurity Upside Down set to challenge conventional thinking in the industry. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennyczarny/ 

The Cybersecurity Matters Podcast is brought to you by neuco, a global recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing brilliant people for groundbreaking companies in the cybersecurity space.