Dependency-Track Expert in Germany

• Adaptation, optimization, configuration, and administration of a multi-stage GitLab instance with over 250 users
• Setup, adaptation, expansion, and optimization of infrastructure, configuration, and monitoring
• Provisioning of services and handover to production
• System environment: DependencyTrack, GitLab, Grafana, Hedgedoc, Kubernetes, Oauth2 Proxy, Openstack, Prometheus, Syseleven

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.

• Regulated environment within a German banking group (approx. 8,500 employees, hybrid cloud strategy).

• Responsible for operating, provisioning, and continuously securing business-critical platforms – including a GenAI chat application, a big data/AI platform, and data science workspaces based on Azure Virtual Desktops and VMs. Ownership of Azure DevOps projects for ShaiHulud and React2Shell, as well as BSI alerts – Security Operations improvements across the SDLC.

• Deployment responsibility for the GenAI chat application, big data/AI platform (BDAI), and data science workspaces (AVD/VM-based) in the respective landing zones.

• Deployment & release management: end-to-end responsibility for deploying portal and service applications across multiple Azure landing zones, including technical approvals, compliance with development team deployment guidelines, and ensuring ITIL-based change and release processes via ServiceNow.

• Azure landing zones & network architecture: design, provisioning, and operation of Azure landing zones for 3-tier web applications with enhanced network segmentation, VNet peering, hub-and-spoke architectures, private endpoints, and firewall integration across separate subscriptions and tenants.

• Azure DevOps governance & operations: ownership of the Azure DevOps organization, including projects, repositories, and CI/CD pipelines; implementation of governance requirements such as branch policies, approval gates, permission models, and audit-ready operating structures.

• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform): design, implementation, and operation of a modular Terraform architecture for standardized cloud infrastructure deployment, including state management, provider versioning, reusability, and policy-as-code approaches.

• CI/CD pipeline engineering: design, operation, and optimization of complex YAML-based CI/CD pipelines with multi-stage deployments, template standardization, self-hosted agents, integrated secret management, and automated quality and security checks.

• Git migration & platform consolidation: planning and execution of repository and pipeline migration from Azure DevOps to GitLab CI/CD, including automated scripts, full Git history transfer, pipeline porting, and platform consolidation.

• Container & platform operations (AKS): operation and security assessment of containerized workloads on Azure Kubernetes Service, centralization of on-premises container registries for ACR.

• OpenShift (OCP) security reviews: security assessment of code baselines, build pipelines, and deployment processes for on-premises OpenShift clusters with critical applications, and derivation of specific hardening recommendations.

• Shift-left security & DevSecOps transformation: introduction of a company-wide shift-left approach for early security integration in development and deployment processes, enabling developers to perform self-led security checks and sustainably reduce vulnerabilities before production (IDE integrations, pre-commit hooks, local scanners).

• Software supply chain security: analysis and mitigation of supply chain risks in NPM- and Yarn-based applications through dependency audits, CI/CD pipeline hardening, token rotation, and restriction of risky build and lifecycle mechanisms.

• Frontend & framework security (React / Next.js): security assessment and coordination of critical vulnerability remediation across platform applications and web frameworks, including coordination and complementary technical mitigations with all teams following BSI alerts.

• Software composition analysis (SCA): introduction and operation of automated vulnerability scans for container images, pipelines/artifacts, and third-party dependencies, including SBOM exports within CI/CD pipelines.

• SAST/DAST integration: design and piloting of static and dynamic application security tests in close collaboration with security architecture and development teams, for continuous improvement of code and runtime security, and establishing operational acceptance tests.

• Artifact & registry consolidation: analysis and consolidation of all package and container repositories for service applications and AKS workloads, aiming for a centralized, secured registry strategy with centralized vulnerability scanning and governance.

• Dependency-Track & SBOM strategy: advising the compliance board on introducing a central SBOM and vulnerability management platform to increase enterprise-wide dependency transparency and accelerate CVE response capability.

• CI/CD pipeline hardening: security analysis and cleanup of the existing pipeline landscape by removing unused pipelines, improving secrets hygiene, implementing least-privilege principles, and isolating build agent environments.

• Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF) optimization: analysis and tuning of existing Azure WAF rules (OWASP Top 10 Core Rule Set, DSR/SDC, custom rules) to defend against known vulnerabilities and exploit patterns, including reducing false positives and improving threat detection.

• Documentation & stakeholder communication: creating and maintaining technical documentation, runbooks, and architecture overviews in Jira and Confluence, as well as active knowledge transfer between operations, development, security, and compliance stakeholders.

• Many years of work in different roles within the MES product area, with technical development, agile leadership, and strategic product responsibility for key MES components.
• As C# Fullstack Developer / Scrum Master (2018–2020): further development of a programming system for laser machines, introduction and moderation of Scrum processes, quality assurance through automated tests and documentation.
• As Product Owner Cloud Services (2019–2020): leadership of two AWS-based cloud services for providing laser data and legal documents, definition of the product vision, backlog maintenance, and stakeholder communication.
• As Product Owner Infrastructure & Core Services / Head of DevOps / Product Security (2020–2025): responsibility for core MES components such as Service Orchestrator, Licensing Service, IAM, and AppLauncher, building and maintaining Azure DevOps pipelines for over 70 components, and introducing security standards (CRA).
• Company-wide contact for Azure DevOps and largely responsible for its introduction.
• Standardized versioning of all components.
• Structuring of CI/CD and release pipelines.
• Building an agent scale set with special software configuration.
• Connecting Azure DevOps with ServiceNow.
• Standardizing the integration of security tools such as SonarCloud, Dependency Track, and digital signing.
• Technologies & tools: .NET (C#, 4.8 / Core 3.x / 8), WPF, WCF, REST, OData, JSON, DevExpress, Duende IDP, Azure DevOps, AWS, PowerBI, SonarCloud, Dependency Track, Visual Studio Pro.
• Method: Scrum.
• Project language: German / English.

• Successful implementation of vulnerability management with DefectDojo
• Consulting and implementation of technical and process-related aspects of vulnerability management with DefectDojo
• Consulting on the implementation of a secure software development lifecycle
• Skills: Gitlab, DefectDojo, Vulnerability Management, SCA, SAST, DAST, Python, Kubernetes, ArgoCD, Docker, AWS, Azure, Whitesource/Mend, Greenbone

Cybersecurity for RTCU project for the Stellantis Group.

The management of cybersecurity was strongly criticized by the customer Stellantis, questioning competence. Requirements were missing or incomplete, the architecture for cybersecurity controls was non-existent, and documentation such as cybersecurity plans and concepts were incomplete and formally incorrect.

• Building customer trust and de-escalation
• Sprint planning with the customer based on SAFe
• Task-force management
• Switching planning and control to an agile approach
• Review and update of cybersecurity documents
• Communication and problem solving with suppliers, particularly Rolling Wireless and Autocrypt
• Internal workshops and coordination across various hierarchy levels from developers to CTO
• Coordination of work packages and implementation across locations in Dresden, Ningbo, and Oborniki
• Reporting and support of cybersecurity audits
• Coaching of Joynext cybersecurity managers
• De-escalation of critical customer issues
• Acceleration of requirement creation and release by a factor of 5
• Timely provision of 3rd party components
• Reduction of vulnerability management effort by factor 3
• Creation of cybersecurity documents conformant to existing standards
• Technologies and Methods: V-Modell, ASPICE, IREB, ISTQB, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, PMP, IPMA, BPMN 2.0, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, Jira, Confluence, Siemens Polarion, Dependency Track