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Need help with cloud security, zero trust, identity and access management, or security reviews for new systems? Bring in a Security Architect who can shape controls, risks, and guardrails without slowing delivery. Get fast, precise matching with vetted, available freelancers.
About the role
What they do
A Security Architect designs the security layer of products, platforms, and enterprise systems. They turn risk and compliance needs into practical controls that engineering teams can build and operate. Their work often covers target architectures, threat models, security requirements, and review of technical designs before release.
- Define security principles and reference architectures
- Review cloud, network, and application designs
- Build threat models and control mappings
- Support secure delivery from discovery to go-live
Typical deliverables
Strong freelancers in this role deliver clear output that teams can use right away. That can include architecture diagrams, security requirements, risk assessments, design review notes, and decision records for exceptions or compensating controls. In hands-on programs, they also help shape patterns for IAM, encryption, logging, segmentation, and secure API design.
Core skills
A good Security Architect combines broad technical range with calm judgment. They should understand infrastructure, cloud platforms, identity, network security, and common attack paths. They also need to communicate well with engineers, product owners, compliance teams, and senior stakeholders.
- Threat modeling and risk-based design
- IAM, SSO, MFA, and privileged access
- Cloud security across AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Security controls for APIs, endpoints, and data
- Review of DevSecOps and SDLC practices
When companies bring one in
Companies usually hire a freelance Security Architect when a project needs senior security input without adding a permanent headcount. That is common during cloud migration, platform redesign, mergers, new product launches, audits, or after a security incident. In Germany, this often fits teams in manufacturing, finance, healthcare, SaaS, and other regulated environments that need clear documentation and structured collaboration.
What sets strong people apart
The best Security Architects do more than produce diagrams. They can translate business goals into secure design choices, push back on weak patterns, and keep trade-offs realistic for delivery teams. They know when to standardize, when to make an exception, and how to explain the impact in plain language.
Working style
Freelance Security Architects often work remote, but workshops, design reviews, and stakeholder sessions may happen on-site when programs are sensitive or complex. For Germany-based teams, strong English is often enough, though German can help with cross-functional alignment and local documentation. Clear scope, access to technical owners, and early involvement make the engagement far more effective.
Meet FRATCH Security Architects
Dirk Peter
Freelance Cyber Defense Lead & KRITIS/NIS2 Consultant | AI Security Architect
Last position:
Freelance Cyber Defense Lead & KRITIS/NIS2 Consultant | AI Security Architect at Self-Employed
Situation: Increasing demand for privacy-compliant AI solutions for clients in the KRITIS and mid-market sector that need to analyze sensitive media content (audio, video, documents) without sending data to public cloud LLMs.
Task: Design, deployment, and secure operation of a fully self-hosted AI infrastructure including a custom-built digital management platform for automated media analysis.
Action: Architected and implemented a multi-tier platform on hardened Proxmox infrastructure with frontend (Nuxt 3, Vue 3, TypeScript, Tailwind 4), backend (Laravel 13, PHP 8.4, Sanctum), data storage (PostgreSQL 16, MongoDB 7), caching/queuing (Redis 7, Laravel Queue), AI workers (Python 3.11, Whisper, DeepFace, Librosa), scheduling (Laravel Scheduler/Cron), and local LLMs (Gemma, DeepSeek, Qwen, Mistral, LLaMA, Phi) via OpenWebUI with segmented network access, API hardening, and audit logging following BSI recommendations.
Result: Fully GDPR-compliant, on-premises AI platform with zero data leakage to third parties.
Task: Overall responsibility as an external Head of Cyber Security / CISO-as-a-Service for the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of ISMS according to ISO 27001, BSI IT-Grundschutz, and NIS2.
Action: Built and managed Cyber Defense Centers (CDC) with SOC operations, integrated SIEM solutions (Splunk, Graylog), established risk-based vulnerability management (Qualys, Nessus, OpenVAS), and conducted regular infrastructure, application, and physical penetration tests.
Result: Audit-ready ISMS for multiple clients and a 60% reduction in critical vulnerabilities within 90 days.
Task: Design and execution of NIS2 assessments and operational roll-out plans for KRITIS operators.
Action: Developed an online assessment tool for automated identification of individual weakness profiles, implemented ISMS optimizations, penetration testing, awareness programs, GRC suite deployment, and delivered C-level presentations.
Result: Accelerated the consulting process by 50% and successfully prepared multiple clients for NIS2 compliance.
Task: Incident commander for crisis response, forensics, and business recovery in ransomware attacks and APT campaigns.
Action: Coordinated with state and federal police (LKA, BKA), performed forensic analysis (OSForensics, Wireshark, Kali Linux), executed disaster recovery and BCM strategies, and developed BTC extortion response strategies.
Result: 100% recovery rate within defined RTO windows and sustainable post-incident security architectures.
Action: Planned, built, and operated a hardened multi-VM infrastructure (Proxmox, 15+ VMs) with web and mail servers, Graylog, OPNsense firewalls, CRM/ERP and LLM instances, network segmentation, DDoS mitigation, automated patch management, and backup strategies.
Result: >99.5% uptime over 20+ years and zero compromises.
Action: Designed coordinated phishing campaigns with five levels of difficulty, developed e-trainings and webinars in a PDCA cycle, and led red and blue teams.
Result: Phishing click rate reduced from 35% to under 5% within three campaign cycles.
Florian Schröder
Information Security Officer / IT Security Architect / Awareness Expert
Last position:
Information Security Officer / Designated InfoSec Officer at Oil Company
- Complete overhaul of the ISMS according to ISO 27001
- Conducted a comprehensive gap analysis
- Reduced ISMS documentation by 30% through consolidation and process optimization
- Introduced a full PDCA cycle for continuous improvement
- Established the ISMS within the company
- Implemented the necessary processes
- Managed and conducted internal and external audits
- Developed and implemented a company-wide risk management system
- Deployed an ISMS tool including process design and training
- KRITIS compliance: Prepared and provided required evidence, liaised with regulatory authorities, planned, documented, and implemented an attack detection system (SIEM), co-led the BCMS/ITSCM implementation subproject
- NIS-2 implementation: Gap analysis, risk assessments, training for executives and staff
- Led a cybersecurity team of 3 members
- Conducted various internal and external audits, managed providers, introduced continuous improvement
- Project consulting: closely coordinated with business and system owners, launched an online shop, a mobile app, and a customer portal
- Redesigned the security architecture, reducing administrative efforts by 20%
- Implemented ITIL processes (e.g., change management)
- Revised service agreements with internal and external providers
- Developed a security awareness strategy, ran social engineering tests, introduced and monitored phishing simulations, created various awareness materials, gave presentations
- Managed a budget of one million euros
Enrique Gallardo
Data Security
Last position:
Security Architect at Capgemini
I implemented a Zero-Trust architecture for robust, military-grade maritime container mini data centers based on VMware & Tanzu to support containerized GIS workloads for ground forces. The main focus was on securing communications, workload protection, and data access in contested electronic battle environments affected by jamming, interception, signal manipulation, and constantly changing operational conditions. I designed and architected use cases so that every element of workload, identity, and system could continue to operate independently and securely even in degraded or disrupted scenarios. In parallel, I defined the enterprise and solution security architecture with LeanIX, Bizzdesign, and HOPEX as enterprise architecture, repository, and governance platforms to maintain architecture inventory, relationships, traceability, target pictures, and security governance in complex environments. For the architectural designs, I used Sparx Enterprise Architect to describe formal architecture views, interfaces, trust boundaries, and system architecture in both IT and OT environments. IriusRisk was used for threat modeling of the solution to identify architecture-driven risks, derive security requirements, and detect countermeasures and design gaps directly from the solution models. Risk and compliance management was supported with Archer. Architecture decisions, control gaps, and operational risks were translated into controlled governance and auditable compliance measures. For documentation, collaboration, and visual design, I used Confluence to maintain Architecture Decision Records, Security Blueprints, and workflows. I used Lucidchart and draw.io to create design artifacts tailored to stakeholders. I also defined OT security concepts with support from electrical and mechanical engineers in the areas of oil, vehicle onboard systems, rail, power plants, pharma, gas turbines, and nuclear technology. I created the end-to-end OT security strategy, starting with global policy, developed into standards and procedures, and finally aligned with Bell-LaPadula, Purdue Model, SABSA, TOGAF ADM, CENELEC 50701, IEC 62443, and NIST standards. In addition, I worked with engineering team leads to identify critical KBP assets and place them under protective measures that segmented SCADA, PLC, and HMI assets. I drove collaboration between Security, IT, and OT teams to create standardized workflows and use cases for the OT security solution catalog, while integrating Defense-in-Depth and Zero-Trust principles into operational environments. A key part of my work was integrating multidisciplinary engineering, security, and operations stakeholders into a unified security blueprinting strategy and ensuring that architecture, threat modeling, governance, and documentation were technically strong and operationally practical.
Cedric Bergermann-Bißlich
IT / Enterprise Architect (Security & Regulatory)
Last position:
Enterprise & Cloud Security Architect at ---
Enterprise & Cloud Security Architect supporting the modernization of the SDK application landscape as part of the KVNeo transformation program. Responsible for enterprise architecture, cloud governance, security architecture, and the definition of technical standards for strategic business applications.
Key responsibilities include architecture governance, target architecture development, cloud and integration architecture, security-by-design, and the translation of regulatory requirements into sustainable technical solutions across multiple business domains.
Responsibilities and achievements
- Designed and reviewed target architectures for strategic insurance applications and enterprise services.
- Developed architecture documentation based on Arc42 and Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).
- Defined governance models, architecture principles, and technical guidelines for cross-domain initiatives.
- Supported the modernization of archive, document management, and output management platforms.
- Designed integration architectures using REST APIs and event-driven communication patterns.
- Led architecture discussions with enterprise architects, development teams, product owners, and business stakeholders.
- Translated regulatory requirements such as DORA and ISO/IEC 27001 into practical architecture decisions.
- Designed security concepts covering Identity & Access Management, authorization, authentication, auditability, and logging.
- Supported SIEM integration, security monitoring, and enterprise logging concepts.
- Evaluated technical risks, technical debt, and architecture improvements while providing decision papers for architecture boards.
- Established architecture governance processes and contributed to enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
- Supported cloud governance activities and the definition of secure cloud architecture standards.
- Facilitated architecture workshops and coordinated cross-functional stakeholders across business and IT.
Technologies & Methods Microsoft Azure • Arc42 • Architecture Decision Records (ADR) • REST APIs • Event-Driven Architecture • Microsoft Entra ID • Active Directory • IAM • SIEM • Cloud Governance • Enterprise Architecture • Security Architecture • Azure API Management • Jira • Confluence • Draw.io • DORA • ISO/IEC 27001 • Agile • Scrum
Bernhard Bowitz
Senior Security Architect
Last position:
Senior Security Architect at Intermediate Beratung
- Consulting on an ongoing IT security architecture project
- Documenting past progress and planning next steps
- Applying and implementing the BSI IT baseline protection
- Building and maintaining security management systems
- Applying the ISO 27001 standard series
- Integrating ITIL processes into security architectures
- Collaborating with public clients, regulatory authorities and internal and external service providers
Mohamed Ghassen Brahim
Founder & CEO
Last position:
Lead / Principal Cloud, AI & Security Architect at Freelancer / CC Conceptualise GmbH
Projects:
Project: RWE – Development of a company-wide Zero Trust cybersecurity architecture (CITADEL) Role: Senior Enterprise Cybersecurity Architect / Zero Trust Architect Company: RWE AG Description: Concept and implementation of the strategic CITADEL cybersecurity target architecture at RWE, based on the Zero Trust architecture principle and aligned with regulatory requirements such as NIS2, ISO 27001 and company-wide security governance policies. The goal was to build a measurable, auditable and scalable security architecture with a strong focus on Identity Governance, compliance transparency and operational manageability. Responsibilities & Achievements:
- Zero Trust architecture design: Developed a company-wide Zero Trust reference architecture (Identity, Device, Network, Application, Data) including trust zones, control points and enforcement mechanisms according to NIS2.
- Identity & Access Governance (IGA): Designed and introduced IGA governance structures including role models, recertification processes, segregation of duties (SoD) and lifecycle management for identities and access.
- Security governance & KPIs: Defined and implemented security KPIs and metrics to manage Zero Trust maturity, identity risks and compliance at the management level.
- Compliance & reporting: Built standardized compliance reports and dashboards to support internal audits, external assessments and regulatory evidence (e.g. NIS2).
- Architecture & stakeholder alignment: Worked closely with Enterprise Architecture, IT operations and business units to integrate the CITADEL architecture into existing IT and security landscapes.
- Strategic security consulting: Advised programs and projects on Zero Trust compliance, identity centricity and regulatory requirements in the energy and critical infrastructure (KRITIS) environment. Technologies & Methods: Zero Trust Architecture, NIS2, Identity Governance & Administration (IGA), IAM, RBAC, SoD, Entra ID, SailPoint, Zscaler, Terraform / IaC, Policy as Code, security KPIs, compliance reporting, NIST 2.0, ISO 27001, Enterprise Security Architecture, governance frameworks, risk & control management
Project: Scalable AI Workbench Platform on Microsoft Azure Role: Cloud Architect & Engineer Company: Siemens Energy Description: Design, development and operation of a secure, modular cloud infrastructure to support Data Science, Machine Learning and AI applications for various engineering teams at Siemens Energy. Responsibilities & Achievements:
- Cloud architecture: Designed and implemented an Infrastructure-as-Code solution (Terraform) for automated provisioning of Azure resources (Resource Groups, Storage Accounts, Cosmos DB, Application Insights, networking, PostgreSQL Flexible Server, Azure Container Apps, Azure Container Registry).
- Developer portal: Used Backstage with custom frontend and backend plugins (Node.js, TypeScript, React.js, PostgreSQL, Container Apps) to enable self-service and empower developers, data scientists and AI/ML engineers.
- Role-based access control: Implemented Azure RBAC to grant targeted access (e.g. Storage Blob Data Contributor, Reader) to engineering groups (e.g. AI Engineers) for relevant resources.
- Data platform engineering: Built and configured a multi-layered storage landscape (Raw, Curated, Vector data), including automated container creation and access control for advanced analytics and AI workloads.
- DevOps integration: Integrated with Azure DevOps for CI/CD pipelines to automate deployment, monitoring and compliance.
- Security & compliance: Implemented Private Endpoints, network policies and Managed Identities to ensure data protection and regulatory compliance.
- Collaboration: Worked closely with cross-functional teams to align the cloud infrastructure with business and technical requirements and drive digital transformation at Siemens Energy. Technologies: Azure, Terraform, Azure DevOps, Cosmos DB, Application Insights, Azure Storage, Private Endpoints, Azure Synapse, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Entra ID, RBAC, Backstage, Node.js, React.js, PostgreSQL, Python (automation), Git
Oliver Frömel
Senior IT Enterprise Security Architect | Project Bank Migration
Last position:
Senior IT Enterprise Security Architect | Project Bank Migration at Deutsche Bank AG (Retail Bank)
- Merger/insourcing project in the banking sector; transferring all data, users and processes from one bank to the parent company.
- IT security architect in the Chief Security Office as part of a merger/insourcing project for Postbank.
- Created a concept for clustering all applications to be migrated regarding risk profile, protection needs and compliance.
- Considered ISMS based on ISO27001 (Deutsche Bank) and BSI Basic Protection (Postbank).
- Reviewed and adjusted protection needs analyses, risk assessments and risk management processes.
- Led consulting for all subprojects on IT security architectures and concepts according to integration patterns (batch, online/web services, MQ).
- Prepared new components for review and approval by decision-makers.
- Served as subject matter expert for technical and content-related IT security questions.
- Supported all vertical streams (Sales & Channels, Investments, Lending, Finance, Enterprise) in documentation and architecture presentations.
- IT security risk management: answered review questions, analyzed deviations from the standard and carried out threat assessments.
- Lead security architect in CSO to align action plans for risk mitigation and validate residual risks.
- Prepared identified risks and non-compliances for the risk management units.
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Security Architects statistics
Typical experience
20 years
Average project duration
2.6 years
Certifications per freelancer
8
Top business areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Audit
Top industries
Information Technology, Banking and Finance, Manufacturing
Most common languages
German, English, Spanish
Bachelor's degree or higher
100%
Master's degree or higher
43%
Doctorate
14%
Daily Rate Distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this role are distributed, based on recent contracts on our platform. Each bar covers a rate range — its height shows how many freelancers charge within that range. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Average rates for Security Architects & Seniority distribution
Rates are based on recent contracts and do not include FRATCH margin.
The average daily rate is the mean of all daily rates from recent contracts of comparable freelancers on our platform.
The median daily rate is the middle value of all daily rates — half of comparable freelancers charge less, half charge more. Unlike the average, it is barely affected by outliers.
Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions in mind? Get key insights about FRATCH
A Security Architect defines secure design choices for systems, platforms, and applications. The work usually includes architecture reviews, threat modeling, control design, and guidance for engineering teams. The goal is to make security part of the design, not a late-stage fix.
Look for solid knowledge of cloud, IAM, network security, and application security. A strong candidate should also be able to write clear recommendations and explain trade-offs to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. For many projects, experience with DevSecOps and security reviews is essential.
A Security Architect focuses on the design of secure systems, while a security engineer is more often responsible for implementation and operations. An information security manager usually owns policies, governance, and reporting rather than technical architecture. In practice, the roles can overlap, but the architect is the person shaping the security blueprint.
A freelance Security Architect is a good fit when you need senior input for a defined project or a short, intense phase of work. That includes cloud migrations, product launches, audits, or recovery work after a security issue. It is also useful when the team already has security staff but needs independent design review.
Most work can be done remotely, especially design reviews, documentation, and threat modeling. On-site time helps for workshops, architecture boards, and sensitive stakeholder meetings. In Germany, a hybrid setup is common when teams want closer alignment with engineering and compliance functions.
Typical deliverables include target security architecture, risk assessments, design review feedback, and documented security requirements. Depending on the project, they may also produce threat models, control mappings, exception decisions, and secure design patterns. The best output is specific enough for teams to act on without extra interpretation.
Good Security Architect work is practical, specific, and tied to real risks. The advice should fit the system, the delivery timeline, and the organization’s constraints. If the recommendations are clear, implementable, and defensible in front of engineering and leadership, that is a strong sign of quality.
Not always, but they can help on projects with local stakeholders, auditors, or documentation-heavy workflows. Many technology teams in Germany work comfortably in English, especially in international companies. For regulated sectors or cross-functional programs, bilingual communication can be a real advantage.
The average hourly rate for Security Architects in Germany is 115 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 920 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers working as Security Architects in Germany, 100% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 43% hold at least a Master's degree, and 14% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers working as Security Architects in Germany have 20 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.6 years.
The most common languages among freelancers working as Security Architects in Germany are German (100%), English (100%), and Spanish (57%).
The most common industries among freelancers working as Security Architects in Germany are Information Technology (100%), Banking and Finance (86%), and Manufacturing (71%).
The most common business areas among freelancers working as Security Architects in Germany are Information Technology (100%), Project Management (100%), and Audit (86%).
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
