Check Point Experts in Germany

As part of this project, the existing active network infrastructure was modernized and made fit for the future. The goal was to introduce a powerful, secure and scalable network and WLAN infrastructure, including a Network Access Control (NAC) solution to improve network security and centralized access control.

At the beginning of the project, a comprehensive requirements analysis was carried out, taking into account the technical, operational and security-related requirements of the hospital sites. On this basis, a technical tender was prepared for new switches, WLAN access points and the NAC solution.

The successful implementation of the project established a modern, standardized and secure network infrastructure that meets the growing requirements for availability, mobility and IT security in hospital operations.

Activities:

• Supporting the tender process, including technical evaluation of offers and bidder evaluation
• Leading and managing the entire project implementation
• Coordinating the project process with internal stakeholders, business units and hospital IT
• Managing external service providers during the implementation and installation of the systems
• Monitoring the implementation, including quality control, project acceptance and defect management
• Coordinating and managing communication between hospital IT and external service providers as part of the NAC implementation
• Managing escalations in the event of technical and organizational challenges
• Ongoing budget monitoring and control of project expenses and additional costs
• Preparing decision papers for management on project changes, additional services and risks

• Operation and further development of the network and security infrastructure.

• Monitoring, analysis and resolution of network and security incidents.

• Cross-department collaboration with other specialist teams for operations, further development and reporting.

• Firewall vulnerability analysis.

• Firewall rule approvals.

• Troubleshooting IP communication issues in the network and firewall infrastructure.

• Security-critical IT infrastructure, processing of personal data, compliance with legal regulations.

• Products: Palo Alto Networks Firewalls, Cisco ACI, Checkpoint Firewalls, F5

• Technologies: SDN, SDWAN, Cisco EPIC, Cisco ACI

Project: Process optimization & IT support in an insurance broker office.

Project activities:

• Analysis of processes and definition of requirements
• Consulting for the implementation of a cloud solution (soho)
• Installation and verification of new infrastructure HW
• Cloud installation & configuration
• Definition and creation of use cases
• Performing user acceptance tests (UAT)
• User training / training
• IT support (cloud, PC, server, printer, network)

Label: Insurance, infrastructure, configuration, training, support

Unified ITSM framework

• Definition of a company-wide ITSM target picture
• Introduction of a uniform service structure across all business units

SLA and OLA management

• Building a standardized SLA framework
• Definition of service classes (Business Critical, Standard, Low Priority)
• Introduction of OLAs between internal teams
• Building meaningful SLA reporting
• Definition of KPI and service dashboards for business units

Service portfolio management

• Definition of service descriptions
• If needed, preparing possible cost and service billing

Ticketing & processes

• Incident management
• Uniform ticket categories
• Standardized prioritization
• Escalation matrix
• Automations
• Self-service optimization

Request fulfillment

• Service catalog across all business units
• Approval workflows

Problem management

• Introduction of root cause analysis
• Known error database
• Problem review process

Complete asset management concept

• Hardware lifecycle management
• Software lifecycle management
• Leasing lifecycle
• Mobile device lifecycle
• Monitor lifecycle
• Phone lifecycle

Processes

• Procurement
• Goods receipt
• Inventory
• Assignment
• Return
• Disposal
• Leasing return Goal: single source of truth for all assets

CMDB design

• Definition of all configuration items:
• Workplace
• Notebooks
• Monitors
• Mobile phones
• Printers

Infrastructure

• Servers
• Firewalls
• Switches
• WLAN
• Storage
• Backup systems

Cloud

• Azure resources
• Microsoft 365
• SaaS services

Relationships

• User ↔ Asset
• Asset ↔ Service
• Service ↔ Infrastructure
• Location ↔ Asset
• Goal: make all service dependencies visible

Software asset & license management

• License management concept
• License balancing
• Compliance reporting
• Microsoft license management
• Adobe license management
• SaaS management
• Contract management
• Renewal management

Interfaces & automation Existing systems

• Workday
• Joiner
• Mover
• Leaver

TESMA

• Leasing data
• Contract data

Matrix42

• Asset synchronization
• User synchronization

Active Directory / Entra ID

• User management

Microsoft 365

• License assignment
• Group management

Dormakaba

• Access processes

• Lifecycle services

Monitoring platforms

• PRTG
• Palo Alto
• Cisco

Reporting & KPI framework

• Definition of a management dashboard
• KPIs
• Ticket volume
• SLA fulfillment
• MTTR
• First resolution rate
• Asset accuracy
• License compliance
• Change success rate
• Service availability
• Degree of automation

Network redesign support

• Governance
• Support of the network redesign from an ITSM point of view
• Definition of affected services
• Change management structure
• Communication concept

CMDB integration

• Recording of all network components
• Service mapping
• Dependency analysis

Validation of documentation and knowledge base articles

• Network documentation
• Operations documentation
• Standard changes

Monitoring & event management

• Target picture
• Central monitoring concept
• Event management process
• Alerting strategy
• Escalation model

Systems

• Cisco

• Palo Alto

• Fortinet

• Rubrik

• Veeam

• Matrix42

• Azure

• Microsoft 365 Automation

• Ticket creation from monitoring

• Escalations

• Standard actions

Audit, compliance & information security

• ISO 27001 consulting
• TISAX consulting
• NIS2 preparation - consulting
• Audit-ready processes
• Documentation structure
• Evidence tracking in Matrix42

Roadmap

• 12-month roadmap
• Prioritization of all measures
• Quick wins
• Medium-term projects
• Long-term target picture
• Documentation

• As-is assessment of the current network infrastructure and its documentation, including on-site inspections
• Independent planning of new distribution and main distribution rooms in the individual district offices (components used, rack layout, connectivity), considering the BSI IT-Grundschutz and InfoSic requirements
• Planning of new copper and fiber optic cabling, including patch panels
• Coordination with building services engineering (TGA) to ensure compliance with relevant on-site requirements
• Development of detailed execution plans and high-level concepts for the rollout of the new infrastructure
• Additional support after the components go live (hypercare phase)
• Regular communication with project management and client stakeholders

• The goal of the project is to build a Greenfield FailSafe data center (FSRZ) as an emergency measure in accordance with BSI 200/4 against a cyberattack.
• Recovery of a project that had been running for several years. Re-initialization of the project: adjustment of the project organization, initiation of regular meetings, establishment of project controlling and project reporting, introduction of project risk management and consolidation of project documentation. Establishment of project governance and introduction of decision-making structures based on decision papers. Definition of deliverables and derivation of phase plans and the project plan. Personnel and resource planning. Coordination with “neighboring projects”, initiation of concept development and implementation. Management of the project with 8 subprojects and PMO. Budget planning and controlling (14,8 Mio). Support and coaching of the subprojects in their methodological approach. Coordination with suppliers and support of EU tenders. Coordination and processing of change requests. Coordination with line management regarding the economically viable operation of the FSRZ. Technical support for IT architecture in the areas of zOS, Windows and Linux, networking and IT security, for designing interim operations and extended regular operations for the FSRZ, planning emergency processes and emergency communication internally and externally.

• Requirements analysis and replacement of local SharePoint as CMDB with open source NetBox to prepare for deploying Cisco ACI (SD-WAN) with Microsoft Azure
• Coordination with systems like Checkmk and Grasp
• Introduction and coordination of cmdbsyncer as CMDB data hub; further development of the syncer with Kuhn & Ruess GmbH
• Implementation of SNMPv3 on AIX LPAR/VIO, Linux, Windows, SAN/storage, network components (Cisco switches, F5 load balancers, Palo Alto and CheckPoint firewalls, iLO boards)
• Deployment and further development of the network scanner JDisc in cooperation with the vendor (Utimaco HSMs, Linux detection)
• Integration of NetBox, JDisc, and cmdbsyncer into the infrastructure using Docker containers
• End-user training: preparation, creation of materials, and delivery
• Creation of data flow and network diagrams
• Population and planning of IPv4/IPv6 with NetBox including VLAN import
• Dual-stack setup of servers and clients with IPv4 and IPv6
• Connection of REST interfaces for Checkmk, JDisc, vSphere, HMC, i-doit, NetBox Software: Confluence, Jira, MS Office 365, Teams, i-doit, NetBox, JDisc, cmdbsyncer, DB Visualizer, vSphere, HMC

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.

• Operation and further development of a SASE infrastructure based on Netskope

• Manage the development release and update process for a digitized nationwide trade register project "AuRegis".

• Support software in Kubernetes/OpenShift environments, configure management with Kustomize, and implement CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins/GitLab, SonarQube, ArgoCD, and Azure.

• Oversee system release of microservice architecture.

• Build the CI/CD stack from scratch with GitLab CI, integrating integration tests, dependency checks, and security measures.

• Automate deployment onto OpenShift using Kustomize.

• Set up infrastructure components for development, code review, and code quality analysis including SonarQube.

• Integrate GitOps tools such as Kustomize and ArgoCD, using both Azure and private cloud for sensitive data handling.

• Develop Python scripts in Jenkins for cryptostore configuration and system packaging of products and microservices into deployable units.

• Automate delivery to customers and deployment on test systems.

• Create Kustomize manifests for microservices and develop the related automation, treating documentation as code for clarity and reproducibility.

• Serve as technical advisor for the project's first go-live and oversee further deployments as technical rollout manager.

• Designed and specified the technical network integration of a new business-critical application system (MUREX) in the capital markets area in a complex interface and outsourcing environment.

• Created component specifications, a catalog of measures and an implementation plan.

• Ensured proper integration of the developed results in line with the bank’s framework: IT compliance, IT security, change and release management.

• Selected and integrated a new service provider for the bank; moved critical bank applications to the provider.

• Designed, implemented and supported the new Cisco network and Fortinet security setup at the service provider data center.

• Acted as technical interface between the bank, service providers and consulting partners.

• Supported and further developed the network and security infrastructure (clients, servers, networks); performed error analysis and implemented solutions within agreed service levels.

• Analyzed and diagnosed all security and network failures, glitches and malfunctions.

• Initiated continuous improvements to ensure efficient resource use and acceptable response times for users.

• Provided network support in a financial services organization and prepared operational changes on production banking network infrastructure for both large and small projects within strict change management discipline.

• Designed, defined, tested, governed and improved engineering standards.

• Performed the role of network architect for medium to large projects involving team resources.

• Support of firewalls (Securepoint)
• Operation and maintenance of the client-server infrastructure (Windows)
• Operation and patching of IoT devices in the hazard management system (cameras, Web IOS, IP serial converters)
• Support with the integration of security technology into existing IT infrastructures
• Planning and execution of network segmentation and separation
• Transfer and implementation of solutions to other plants
• Tools used: Wireshark, Network Service Manager, PRTG, Cisco Catalyst, Nexus, HP Service Manager, FNT/Command Manager Console, ServiceNow, Confluence, Active Directory, Wingard, Securepoint FW

• Consulted on IT security and process optimization, focusing on NIS2 and risk requirements
• Troubleshot and optimized plant core networks using STP, certified hardware, and open-source components such as OPNsense
• Redesigned network segmentation for VLAN rollout in a hybrid multisite multicloud setup using Tailscale VPN
• Facilitated cross-departmental discussions to align technical and social requirements
• Optimized monitoring with Grafana, Telegraf, and SNMP configurations
• Prototyped network setup for a new plant, including VLAN separation with Tailscale VPN
• Automated various scenarios using Python and Bash scripting

As part of the preparation and operational support of a business succession:

• Company analysis: Analysis of the overall economic, organizational and structural situation (current state, strengths/weaknesses, risk potentials)
• Process analysis: Recording and documentation of all relevant business processes (BPMN, UML) in the areas of management, finance, procurement, sales and operations
• Process optimization: Identification of weaknesses and inefficiencies, development and operational implementation of improvement measures
• Stakeholder management: Identification and analysis of all relevant internal and external stakeholders; structured communication and coordination with previous and future owners, shareholders and employees
• Change management: Supporting the workforce and management through the handover process; building acceptance and trust among all participants
• Governance & documentation: Creation and handover of structured operation manuals, process documentation and organizational handbook for the new business owner
• Risk & vulnerability analysis: Assessment of operational and strategic risks in the handover process and development of recommended actions
• Operational support: Interim takeover of leadership tasks; ensuring business continuity during the transition phase