10 Years of Innovation: OPSWAT Romania’s Role in Securing the World’s Critical Infrastructure

The foundation of OPSWAT Romania began with the acquisition of Red Earth Software in 2015. The company offered not only valuable intellectual property, but more importantly, a close-knit team of software engineers and support staff. This acquisition allowed OPSWAT to complete its 24/7 follow-the-sun support model, bridging the time-zone gap between San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City.

During the first site visit, OPSWAT founder and CEO Benny Czarny met local entrepreneurs George Prichici and Alin Besnea—co-founders of a video game company. Impressed by their technical expertise, Benny brought them on board. George became the first General Manager of OPSWAT Romania, later succeeded by Alin Besnea when George relocated to the U.S.

The Timișoara office evolved from 13 employees to over 90, with continued hiring expected to bring the number to more than 105 by the end of 2025. Today, the team operates out of a modernized facility in Iulius Town in the UBC 0 building, complete with a dedicated cybersecurity lab that supports demonstrations, research and development, and technical collaboration.

While many associate critical infrastructure with government buildings and hospitals, the scope is far broader—it includes essential systems like water, energy, finance, transportation, and communication. As these systems become increasingly digitized, the risks from cyberattacks grow exponentially. OPSWAT exists to meet this challenge head-on.

Founded in 2002 in San Francisco, OPSWAT is a global provider of cybersecurity solutions designed to secure both IT and Operational Technology (OT) systems with nearly 1,000 employees and 1,700+ customers worldwide. Guided by a Zero Trust philosophy, OPSWAT assumes every file and every device could pose a threat. The company’s robust solutions prevent attacks before they can cause harm, focusing on secure data transfer, malware prevention, and device access.

OPSWAT's Timișoara team is responsible for the company’s MetaDefender for Secure Storage, MetaDefender for Cloud and customer support services—the Romanian office alone handles 40% of all global customer support cases, making it a key pillar of OPSWAT’s global operation.

Over the past decade, OPSWAT Romania has concentrated on the government and defense sectors, particularly in light of the evolving geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe. Solutions such as Kiosk, Data Diodes, and Managed File Transfer have become the standard for secure cross-domain and import/export (IMPEX) operations. This track record of delivering reliable, high-compliance solutions has earned OPSWAT the trust of critical institutions across the region.

Now, the company is setting its sights on the enterprise market. As cyberattacks increasingly target private businesses, OPSWAT’s suite of modular tools—File Security, Storage Security, and Malware Analysis—are being adapted to help enterprises seamlessly integrate advanced protection into their existing security ecosystems.

The Romanian office also exemplifies OPSWAT’s global culture of autonomy, innovation, and professional development. Team members are empowered to lead projects, contribute ideas, and grow in a collaborative environment. Benefits such as flexible wellbeing programs, additional vacation days, technical upskilling, and performance-based bonuses support both employee success and satisfaction.

Regular knowledge-sharing sessions, leadership engagement, and a strong emphasis on workplace safety reinforce OPSWAT’s people-first approach. This culture of trust and empowerment is key to the company’s long-term success.

As cybersecurity threats grow more complex and pervasive, OPSWAT is committed to staying ahead of adversaries through continuous innovation, strategic hiring, and local partnerships. Timișoara will continue to be a strategic node in this mission—serving as both a launchpad for new products and a hub for emerging talent.