ISMS Experts in Cologne
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Meet FRATCH Experts in Cologne, who have recently used ISMS
Serdar Colak
Last position:
Consultant at Freelance
- ISO 27001 implementation & audit readiness
- NIS2 & DORA compliance support
- Interim / fractional CISO services
- IT risk & controls (ITGC, SOX, COBIT, BAIT)
- M&A and IT due diligence for startups/ventures
- Business continuity management (BCM, ISO 22301)
- Cybersecurity framework development (NIST, ISO, BSI)
- GRC tool advisory (Archer, ServiceNow)
Ralph Konitzer
Last position:
Product Owner / Business Owner at AXIS Management Consulting GmbH
- Full product responsibility from a business perspective: requirement analysis, UX design, product strategy, and go-to-market implemented without an internal dev team using fully AI-supported development (Claude Code / Anthropic)
- Technical differentiation: KRITIS-compliant air-gapped deployment (Windows/NSIS), GDT interface for PVS integration, DATEV-LODAS export for payroll
- Managed pilot operation with initial external client (Dormagen medical practice): structured requirement gathering, test support, error analysis, and release management
- Developed rollout and sales strategy for market entry in the segment of private practices and small medical centers
- Human-in-the-Loop development principle: business decision → AI implementation → manual review → approval → release – each sprint documented in Jira (TIME project), every change traceable via co-authored commits
- Product outcome: Tauri/Rust desktop app with GDT watcher, multi-tier model (Starter/Professional/Enterprise), cloud mirror on Hetzner/Traefik, complete ISMS framework based on ISO 27001 and BSI basic protection as product foundation
- Direct method validation for the test manager role: hands-on experience with quality assurance of AI-generated products from a user perspective, review gate discipline, release approval under GDPR and the EU AI Act
Valeri Milke
Last position:
Associate Partner - Information Security Consulting at Insentis GmbH
- Improvement of the Information Security Management System (ISMS) based on ISO 27001, NIS2, DORA, B3S, TISAX and BSI IT Baseline Protection
- Conducting comprehensive gap analyses to identify gaps and derive action plans according to the above standards and regulations; management and KPIs
- Data Loss Prevention strategy and implementation using MS Purview
- Vulnerability and patch management, security monitoring
- Risk analysis and threat modeling using the STRIDE methodology
- Development of vendor risk assessments, implementation of risk classifications, conducting supplier assessments and implementing technical monitoring solutions (e.g. Security ScoreCard)
- Securing cloud environments (AWS and Azure); expertise in CSPM/CNAPP (Wiz), cloud migration, secure CI/CD pipelines, container security and best practices in AWS, Azure and Office 365
- Application security: penetration testing, DevSecOps, OWASP, pre-commit hooks, key and secret management, IDE plugins, static source code analysis, dependency checks, container scanning, vulnerability management, CIS benchmarks and compliance
- Security assessment and hardening according to CIS benchmarks and cloud conformity in AWS, Office 365 and Azure
Thomas Ullrich
Last position:
Senior Consultant / PM Infrastructure Services & Workplace Migration at Freelance
- All Windows clients are managed in a hybrid, central AD
- Client standardization
- Implementation of information security policy requirements
- Development of new infrastructure services delivered as a managed service by a new provider
- New IT platform is a central and secure directory service
- M365 Azure AD
- MS terminal services
- Zscaler
- M365 cloud for workplace management
- PaaS / SaaS is procured through a new provider
Matthias Fitzner
Last position:
Information Security Project Manager at Deutsche Bahn AG
- Introduction of a new Information Security Management System (ISMS) according to ISO/IEC 27001.
- Implementation of the cybersecurity guideline RL CySec-Rail for cross-border rail networks.
Fabian Flock
Last position:
OT Security Champion Europe at FCS Flock Consulting Services
- Conducted OT security assessments at European manufacturing facilities
- Analyzed and improved IT security processes and infrastructure
- Revised SOC processes in conjunction with the internal SOC team
- Conducted OT incident training and tabletop exercises
- Facilitated C-level workshops to align European OT security strategy
- Evaluated regulatory changes related to NIS2 and their relevance to the client
Nikolaus Betzler
Last position:
ICT Risk Management and Information Security at B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG
- Independently develop policies, guidelines, and frameworks for ICT risk management and information security
- Advise business units on ICT risk management and information security
- Further develop the ICT risk management framework that governs the identification, assessment, and control of ICT risks
- Evaluate the Information Security Management System (ISMS) and adjust it for new challenges
- Conduct risk analyses to identify and assess potential ICT risks and information security risks for the Metzler Group
- Advise on defining and implementing measures to reduce risks and improve the resilience of ICT systems
- Advise on ensuring compliance with relevant internal and external regulatory requirements (MaRisk, DORA, BAIT, BSI IT baseline protection, ISMS, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, ISO 27005, BCM ISO 22301)
- Advise on internal and cross-functional projects (SAP DORA compliance, Target2, Section 8a BSI Act)
Phil Eicke
Last position:
Principal Cybersecurity Consultant at SC&E Advisory GmbH
- Development of compliance products
- Senior Cybersecurity Consultant: NIS2: impact assessment, obligations, action planning, roadmaps
- NIS2 · DORA · CRA
- Design of ISO 27001 ISMS implementation project on a fixed-price basis
- Governance consultancy in M&A situations
Christian Gebhardt
Last position:
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Gothaer Solutions GmbH
- Deputy lead of the 10-member information security management team in a highly regulated environment (DORA, VAIT, BAIT)
- Direct reporting lines to the CIO of the Gothaer Group and the management board of Gothaer Solutions
- Regular member of the Group Risk Committee and the Compliance Committee
- Managing and coordinating information security processes within the company and with IT service providers
- Leading task forces for handling information security incidents
- Contributing to IT emergency and business continuity management
Klaus-Dieter Krause
Last position:
Executive Partner at iAP-Independent Audit Professionals GmbH
Kerstin Glawinski
Last position:
PMO Lead Expert at WDR mediagroup for WDR Cologne
- Planning EXO migration
Gazi Barut
Last position:
Senior IT Architect, SAP, SAP BTP Architect, CPI Senior Consultant and Architect at Uniper Corporate IT
Developing and implementing IT architectures for business-critical applications, BCM/ITSCM, SAP, BTP and S/4HANA, Azure, interfaces and IT infrastructure according to Uniper security guidelines and compliance policies
IT cloud infrastructure management: Requirements management and SLA definition for critical SAP and non-SAP applications and infrastructures based on the Key Production Environment algorithm; creating a conceptual target architecture; creating agile project plans for migration; risk management and vulnerability analysis; developing training content and e-learnings; establishing and optimizing risk management processes; creating action catalogs, architectures and ITSCM/emergency plans; identifying and managing internal and external partners
Developing BCM/ITSCM concepts and IT infrastructure architectures for business-critical applications according to Azure Cloud, SAP BTP and Uniper governance frameworks; documenting and implementing ITSCM/emergency plans in line with disaster recovery patterns; creating training materials and coordinating training sessions; testing, simulating and optimizing BCM/ITSCM plans and IT architectures; ongoing training of management and staff on IT architectures, operating models, SAP BTP as well as BCM and emergency plans
Technical lead of the SAP services team: Managing and coordinating external vendors, service owners and application managers; developing and implementing ITSM processes (incident, problem, change, SLM, IT security, provider management, ITSCM, asset and configuration management); training internal and external service providers and service managers; optimizing IT service contracts and OLAs; updating the service catalog; communicating and escalating issues; defining responsibilities and monitoring SLA criteria; conducting root cause analysis; partly acting as release manager for SAP ERP releases
Migration: Requirements management, budget and financial planning; risk management; defining and implementing transformation and migration plans; weekly reporting to Uniper vice presidents and senior management; maintaining project plans and backlogs in Jira and Azure DevOps; managing up to 50 internal and external stakeholders; workshops and meetings; quality assurance: defining quality gateways and monitoring
Test management: Creating and documenting test plans; evaluating test risks; identifying stakeholders for test plans; documenting test scenarios; defining error categories and quality gateways; coordinating and executing tests
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using ISMS
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
22 years (Germany: 21 years)
Position duration
2.8 years (Germany: 2.6 years)
Positions per freelancer
14
Top business areas
Information Technology, Project Management, Operations
Top industries
Information Technology, Professional Services, Banking and Finance
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Audit, Quality Assurance
Bachelor's degree or higher
63% (Germany: 89%)
Master's degree or higher
50% (Germany: 55%)
Doctorate
25% (Germany: 14%)
Certifications per freelancer
9 (Germany: 8)
Most common languages
German, English, Turkish
Speak two or more languages
92% (Germany: 96%)
Based on our profile pool as of 30 Aug 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this technology in Cologne 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.
Average rates of experts in Cologne using ISMS
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.
Calculated based on our freelancers’ daily rates as of 30 Aug 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
About the technology
What ISMS covers
An Information Security Management System, or ISMS, is the framework used to manage security risks in a structured way. It brings together policies, controls, evidence, and responsibilities so a company can protect information consistently. Many teams search for ISO 27001 support when they need ISMS work.
Typical work
- Define security scope and objectives
- Map risks, controls, and treatment plans
- Write or update policies and procedures
- Prepare audit evidence and management reviews
- Support ISO 27001 implementation and maintenance
Tools and standards
Strong specialists know ISO 27001 and the related Annex A control set, plus common ways to document risks, assets, and exceptions. They often work with ticketing systems, GRC tools, shared policy libraries, and evidence trackers. The best experts keep the ISMS practical, not heavy.
When to bring in help
Companies usually hire freelance ISMS specialists when they need to build an ISMS from scratch, close audit gaps, or prepare for certification. Help is also useful after incidents, during supplier reviews, or when policies must be aligned across several teams. In Cologne, this often suits companies that need clear documentation and remote collaboration with some on-site workshops.
What strong experts do
A good ISMS specialist turns security requirements into actions people can follow. They understand risk-based thinking, control ownership, exception handling, and how to collect evidence without slowing the business. They also know how to explain security work to legal, IT, operations, and management.
Signs you need a specialist
- Your ISMS lives in spreadsheets and email threads
- Audit requests take too long to answer
- Controls are defined but not owned
- Policies exist, but teams do not follow them
- You need support in English and German across Cologne teams
Frequently asked questions
Everything clients usually want to know about ISMS, in one place.
A ISMS is used to manage information security in a repeatable way. It helps a company define risks, assign controls, keep evidence, and show that security is being handled consistently. Many organizations use it as the base for ISO 27001 work.
No. ISMS is the management system; ISO 27001 is the standard often used to shape and audit it. A company can run an ISMS without certification, but ISO 27001 gives the structure many teams follow.
A strong ISMS specialist should know risk assessment, policy writing, control mapping, and audit preparation. Practical experience with Annex A controls, statements of applicability, and evidence collection is important. Good communication matters just as much as documentation.
The needed depth depends on the scope. A small gap analysis may only need one experienced ISMS specialist, while a full implementation with certification preparation usually needs broader support. If the company has many teams or suppliers, expect more coordination work.
Typical ISMS deliverables include scope statements, risk registers, policies, procedures, control mappings, and audit-ready evidence packs. You may also need management review inputs, treatment plans, and improvements after internal audits. The exact set depends on the current maturity.
Most ISMS work can be done remotely because it is document-heavy and process-driven. On-site sessions can still help when the expert needs to map processes, interview control owners, or run workshops with leadership. For Cologne teams, a hybrid setup often works well.
Look for clear examples of how the person turned security requirements into usable processes. A good ISMS specialist writes simple documents, knows how auditors ask questions, and can explain why each control exists. They should also be comfortable working with legal, IT, and operations.
ISMS is the specific framework for managing information security. GRC is broader and may also cover governance, risk, and compliance across other topics. Some specialists work across both, but an ISMS project needs someone who understands the security standard and its operational evidence.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Cologne, Germany who have used ISMS in their recent projects is 134 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 1,069 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Cologne, Germany who have used ISMS in their recent projects, 63% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 50% hold at least a Master's degree, and 25% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Cologne, Germany who have used ISMS in their recent projects have 22 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.8 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Cologne, Germany who have used ISMS in their recent projects are German (100%), English (92%), and Turkish (17%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Cologne, Germany who have used ISMS in their recent projects are Information Technology (92%), Professional Services (67%), and Banking and Finance (42%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Cologne, Germany who have used ISMS in their recent projects are Information Technology (100%), Project Management (100%), and Operations (75%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used ISMS
Our freelancers and interim experts are at home across the DACH region — available on-site in the major business hubs or fully remote. Choose a location to discover matched specialists, local market insights and up-to-date availability.
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Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg 
Berlin 
Munich 
Frankfurt 
Dusseldorf Request a free demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
