Alumni CYEL 2023 Finalists - Ziya Genç and Cortex Security

@Ziya Genç did his PhD and then worked as a Postdoc at the University of Luxembourg, He is the founder and CEO of Cortex Security and a finalist for this year’s Creative Young Entrepreneur Luxembourg (CYEL) award.

Through his research, Ziya managed to create a unique data protection method and now runs his own company offering advanced cybersecurity products to the market. Cortex Security provides DataSecure, a powerful and easy-to-use anti-ransomware system to protect businesses. We spoke to Ziya about his journey and decision to move from academia into the business world.

Why did you launch Cortex Security?

I always liked applied cryptography and during my master I was working on cryptographic protocols, but I'm also interested in cybersecurity; I liked the networks, computers, developing software, etc. Five months before I left the University of Luxembourg, I established my own company related to my research domain.

Cortex Security sits at the intersection of everything I am interested in - cryptography and cybersecurity - which is why I chose this topic for my business. Also, while doing my PhD, I received a call for help from my friends and sometimes just random businesses saying that they are encrypted with this new kind of virus that asks them for money. All this gave me the idea that maybe what I like doing in research can become my business.

How was the transition from academia to the business world?

At the beginning, it was a bit disappointing because it is a totally different world. When I was in academia, everybody was my friend but when I got into business everybody became a competitor. It is a kind of different mindset that I needed time to get used to. However, everything became better with time after this transition stage. I also got lots of support from the University of Luxembourg Incubator and Entrepreneurship Programme where I really found the help and the services that I was looking for.

_{CYEL’s 2023 Finalists (© CYEL)}

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see my company becoming the world leader in the ransomware prevention business, the company that people always talk about when it comes to ransomware defense, when it comes to protecting their computers against ransomware attacks that until today damage many companies, resulting in huge economical losses.

Why did you choose University of Luxembourg for your PhD?

This University was already well known at the research group that I was previously working at because it has a really strong research team in cryptography. I applied to other universities in Germany and Denmark, for example, but once I got accepted by the University of Luxembourg, I said “OK, this is it!”. And now I know that no other place would make me happier because I was just impressed by Luxembourg, not only because of the Uni, but also because of the people here. I knew Luxembourg was quite modern and warm - not in terms of weather of course since I am coming from Turkey 😊 - but from its people’s warm welcome to expats. I can see even now that it was indeed the best choice for me.

Do you feel that the knowledge that you gained during your time at Uni.lu helps you in entrepreneurship?

The technical part definitely was covered with my PhD because I acquired all of the knowledge that I didn't acquire through my previous studies. However, when you do a PhD and especially with postdoc after, it abstracts everything away from you. You just focus on science and mainly the project outputs. Anything that does not involve your project management, like interaction with the outside world, for example, becomes secondary. The soft skills I try to gain now, after leaving the University and thankfully they offer support to alumni entrepreneurs which is crucial and I recommend that other alumni take advantage of it too.