Firewall Experts in Hamburg

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.

• Responsible for the configuration, maintenance, monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization of the IT infrastructure, including Extreme Networks, SD-WAN, and Fortinet security solutions, at all international company locations in Europe and North America
• Development of a comprehensive strategic roadmap to optimize the network architecture, including VLANS, NAC, QoS, firewall configurations, VPNs, DPI, NGFW, threat intelligence, and SSL/TLS inspection
• Implementation of the OneIT strategy through the introduction of new technologies such as Cisco DNA Center, ExtremeCloud IQ, FortiOS, FortiManager, and FortiAnalyzer, which increased employee skills and the efficiency of the IT systems
• Integration of IT and OT systems to optimize the network and security architecture and improve operational efficiency

• Software packaging and distribution with SCCM/MECM
• Application responsibility and support (50–100 applications)
• Documentation via ticket system
• User management via AD console
• Software updates and distribution
• Maintenance and updating of software packages
• Customizing scripts with PowerShell
• Rolling out and implementing new software
• Supporting IT security and compliance

Tools and software: Confluence, M365, Active Directory, Intune, Endpoint Management, SCCM/MECM, PowerShell, VMware Hardware: Lenovo, Cherry, Plantronics, Jabra + peripherals

• Enterprise and IT strategy
• Digital transformation
• Process and portfolio management
• Interim IT management

• Monitoring the health and performance of internal IT systems (servers, networks, endpoints)
• Performing routine checks on Active Directory, SCCM, antivirus, and MDM platforms
• Diagnosing and resolving hardware/software issues on Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms
• Conducting quality checks when implementing new technologies
• Creating accurate documentation of incidents, changes, and service requests
• Tracking and managing IT equipment inventory

• 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

• Industry: Health Care/ IT
• Tools: Internet, phone, email, Confluence, Azure DevOps, DISweb, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office, FHIR
• requirements engineering for implementing the e-prescription into existing practice management system and a web-based dialysis monitoring
• implementation of the archive and exchange interface of the KBV
• creation and maintenance of user stories and backlog management
• stakeholder management and support of developers in implementing the user stories
• reporting to management and conducting refinements

• Working with developers, security, and operations teams to align requirements
• Supporting product owners and development teams in using logging and monitoring solutions based on the Elastic Stack
• Developing and standardizing log schemas as well as defining practical standards for observability
• Designing and further developing logging architectures for complex, distributed multi-tenant environments
• Connecting application and infrastructure logs as well as security tools and metrics
• Optimizing data flows and modeling for analysis and reporting purposes
• Building automated infrastructures using Terraform/Terragrunt and Ansible
• Maintaining and further developing CI/CD pipelines in GitLab as well as automated development environments in Hetzner Robot
• Operating and automating Proxmox clusters including Ceph storage
• Setting up and operating Kubernetes (k3s) clusters on Fedora CoreOS including base services such as Vault, OpenLDAP, and HA Proxy
• Implementing security-critical infrastructures according to BSI baseline protection and securing existing systems
• Supporting the operation of solutions in cloud environments (including AWS)
• Working in agile teams using Scrum and Kanban
• Technologies/ applications: Elastic Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Beats/Elastic Agent, Kibana), Terraform, Terragrunt, Ansible, GitLab CI/CD, GitOps, Proxmox, Proxmox Ceph, Kubernetes (k3s), OpenShift, Helm, Kustomize, Vault, OpenLDAP, HA Proxy, Hetzner Robot systems, AWS, Prometheus, Grafana, Syslog Linux/Windows, Docker, NGINX, Apache Security & Compliance (BSI baseline protection, SIEM/SOC)

• Consulting on a wide range of open science hardware projects in the fields of electronics, mechatronics, and optoelectronics
• Comprehensive system analysis and DFM optimization of a novel open hardware miniaturized two-photon microscope
• Exchange with scientists from renowned academic institutions to align the customer’s work in the best possible way
• Production coordination with local and international partners for PCB assembly, CNC machining, and optics
• Process analysis for product design, production planning/execution, product lifecycle, and product data management
• Coaching employees from all departments on the requirements that complex technical products place on business processes
• Development of a comprehensive PLM & PDM concept tailored to the needs of development and manufacturing
• Initiating intensive and direct cross-departmental exchange to identify improvement potential
• Planning shopfloor layout improvements with the production team and supporting the implementation process
• Quick onboarding of two new English-speaking colleagues in technical product management and development
• Ad-hoc and in-depth training of employees in the use of software tools such as KiCad or Autodesk Inventor
• Consulting on long-term development into a scalable, even stronger partner for the open science hardware community

• Configuration of Dell switches, routers, and access points.
• Error analysis and resolution.
• Environment: Extreme, Cisco and Dell switches and routers, Extreme A3 NAC, Extreme CloudIQ.

• Client support, 2nd, 3rd level, server administration
• Project and process coordination
• Support of MS365 services
• Linux administration
• Provider management

• Support and maintenance of IT workstations
• Operating, administering, and installing physical and virtual servers
• Administering proxy, firewall, and antivirus solutions
• Administering network and infrastructure including data backup
• Assisting in planning replacements and renewals of IT systems
• Assisting in planning, coordinating, and implementing IT security measures
• Microsoft server operating systems Windows Server 2016/2019
• Central services: AD, GPO, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, SCCM