OPNsense Experts in Germany
matched with vetted freelancers in minutesHire experts who configure secure firewalls, VPN access, traffic policies and high-availability network gateways with OPNsense. FRATCH connects you quickly and precisely with vetted, available freelancers suited to your infrastructure and project needs.
Meet FRATCH Experts in Germany, who have recently used OPNsense
Dirk P.
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.
Martin W.
Last position:
Security Auditor at MissionMe
- Environment: AWS, Ruby on Rails, GraphQL, React Native
- Penetration test for Backend, Android-App and iOS-App
David B.
Last position:
Acting Partner at Bliestal Consulting UG
- Redesigning cablewise infrastructure with CAT 8.1 keystones, measuring the speed and quality of the new installation with Pockethernet, documentation at a local saddlery
- CAT 8.1 installation and building a data center, site linking, VPN and VLAN configuration for a local car dealership, implementation of IT-Security standards like virus protection (G Data) and firewalling (OPNSense)
- Relocation of a tax office with redesign of the IT infrastructure, virus protection (G Data) and backup solutions (QNAP)
- Planning, conception and implementation of an inhouse data center, BSI-compliant for commercial laundry (including Proxmox-based virtualization of existing infrastructures, QNAP, G Data, OPNSense, APC)
- Implementation and conception of security solutions in the SME sector
- Collaboration on the IT-security concept for the Bremen network of authorities (in the dLAN network)
- Creation of IT-security concept VOIS (modules MESO, KFZ/iKFZ) including audit preparation for KBA
- Expansion of the IT-security concept for the online service for electronic residence registration (eWA) to include use as an eFA (one-for-all) service (nationwide)
- Expansion of the IT-security concept to include modules wos & wvp
- Concept development for the implementation of DIN SPEC 27076 at MSEs and SMEs
- Creation and evaluation of emergency concepts
- Creation and evaluation of response actions and BCM plans
- Assessment of existing business continuity management (ISO 22301)
- Development of BCM strategy options
- Conducting awareness training
Christian G.
Last position:
Product Owner – Redesign of an iOS and Android SaaS application platform at iApps Technologies GmbH
- Led the redesign of an iOS and Android B2B SaaS solution.
- Developed the product vision and strategy and designed the platform architecture.
- Worked closely with cross-functional teams to create a user-centered, forward-looking product.
- Identified market trends and analyzed feedback from stakeholders and customers.
- Developed a well-thought-out feature set.
- Led the product design and development process.
- Created Balsamiq wireframes.
- Conducted comprehensive market and competitor analysis.
- Defined the product roadmap and feature scope, managed and prioritized the backlog.
- Crafted and wrote epics and user stories.
- Briefed UI designers and reviewed and approved Figma layouts.
Andreas E.
Last position:
IT-Compliance & Security at Bellaseno GmbH
Conducting a gap analysis to assess existing security measures → identifying critical vulnerabilities
Developing a catalog of measures considering risk and cost-effectiveness
Implementing an IT maturity model according to BSI guidelines
Advising management on compliance, governance, and security strategy
Establishing internal processes for a sustainable security organization
Albrecht N.
Last position:
Senior Project Manager IT at HAYS Technology Solutions GmbH
- Leasing, lifecycle and process management for Apple iPhones, maintenance and expansion of the MDM system, coordination of leasing, device integration into DEP and MDM, followed by a rollout and hardware swap process, plus a BYOD and Android option
- Migration of the IT ticket system from ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus to Atlassian Jira Service Management: project management, definition of ticket types, seamless execution according to a detailed timeline, user communication, decommissioning of the old system
- Project lead: SAP interface in workforce management to automate reading of working hours
- Sub-project lead for inventory software EZO AssetSonar: demand management, software selection, procurement
Thorsten L.
Last position:
IT Architect, System Engineer, VS-NFD Consultant at Helsing GmbH
- Design and development of an internal collaboration platform that enables VS-NFD-compliant communication and data storage
- Design and development of an internal development platform (Kubernetes, Git CI/CD, Jira, etc.) as well as use and administration of virtualization solutions
- Design and development of an internal AI system with custom training and automated processes
- Migration of a HyperV cluster to Proxmox for the automatic control of Kubernetes clusters and savings in licensing costs
Timon R.
Last position:
Database Developer – Research Project – Healthcare Billing at MeQuEn GmbH
- Optimizing dynamically generated databases for logging
- Tools: MariaDB, C#, Visual Studio, VMs, Docker, Windows, Linux
Gilbert L.
Last position:
Cyber Security Expert at TüV Süd AG (via Sthree GmbH)
- Security analysis of alerts
- Further development of the security operations center
- Development of processes and workflows in the security environment
- Implementation of SOC solutions
- Forensic expertise
- Conducting hunts
- Vulnerability scans and proof of concepts
- Risk assessments and risk analyses
- Maintenance and further development of the Tenable.sc ScanCenter environment
Kristof B.
Last position:
Strategic Consulting at German Grid-Battery Storage Provider
- 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
Martin F.
Last position:
IT Security Consultant at Freelance
Marcus W.
Last position:
Administrator, DevOps at KZVB
- Planned and implemented new network infrastructure (VLAN, LACP, DMZ, structured cabling)
- Migrated from VMware to KVM using Oracle Linux Virtualization Manager (OLVM), including CPU pinning
- Hardened the entire environment using SELinux (KVM hosts, container hosts, database servers)
- Configured and operated the virtualization platform with OLVM and Ansible-based provisioning
- Containerized and redeployed critical services: WordPress, Jenkins, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Subversion with Apache + AD integration
- Developed Ansible playbooks for automated deployment and configuration management
- Integrated Foreman for repository and security management in the DMZ
- Produced technical documentation in Markdown; organized in Bookstack
- Coordinated with external vendors (e.g. HPE) for hardware installation and setup
- Delivered all contributions documented and reproducible in Markdown
Discover over 15,000 top freelancers
Statistics of experts using OPNsense
Aggregated from the professional profiles of matched freelancers.
Experience
20 years
Position duration
2.5 years
Positions per freelancer
15
Top business areas
Information Technology, Operations, Project Management
Top industries
Information Technology, Professional Services, Automotive
Certification focus areas
Information Technology, Audit, Customer Service
Bachelor's degree or higher
56%
Master's degree or higher
33%
Doctorate
11%
Certifications per freelancer
2
Most common languages
German, English, Spanish
Speak two or more languages
100%
Based on our profile pool as of 19 Sep 2026.
Daily rate distribution
The chart shows how the daily rates of freelancers in this technology in Germany 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 Germany using OPNsense
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 19 Sep 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on seniority level, experience, skill specialization, project complexity, and engagement length.
OPNsense experts industry focus
See which industries our matched freelancers work in most often — every figure is calculated live from the freelancers on FRATCH.
- Information Technology (100%)
- Professional Services (67%)
- Automotive (50%)
- Manufacturing (50%)
- Media and Entertainment (42%)
- Government and Administration (42%)
- Transportation (33%)
- Real Estate (33%)
Please note that freelancers can work across multiple industries, so percentages overlap.
About the technology
Firewall platform
OPNsense is an open-source firewall and routing platform based on FreeBSD. Companies use it to protect networks, segment traffic, manage secure internet access and connect offices, data centres, cloud environments and remote users. Its web interface makes advanced network controls accessible without sacrificing detailed configuration options.
Core capabilities
OPNsense supports stateful firewall rules, network address translation, DNS services, DHCP, VLANs, traffic shaping and gateway monitoring. It also provides site-to-site and remote-access VPN options, intrusion detection and prevention, web filtering and reporting. Strong professionals connect these features to a clear security and operations model.
Ecosystem and tools
The platform works with common networking standards and integrates with directory services, certificates, monitoring systems and external backup processes. Specialists may work with IPsec, OpenVPN, WireGuard, BGP, CARP, FreeBSD shell tools and virtualisation environments. They also handle appliance hardware, cloud deployments and configuration automation where the project requires it.
Typical projects
- Replacing or consolidating perimeter firewalls
- Connecting branches, remote users and cloud networks through VPNs
- Building segmented networks for offices, production sites or laboratories
- Designing redundant gateways with failover and monitored links
- Investigating firewall rules, routing faults and unusual traffic
In Germany, OPNsense is useful for organisations that need transparent control over network security without depending on a proprietary firewall stack. Projects can combine remote configuration with on-site work for cabling, appliance installation or incident response.
When specialists help
Companies often bring in freelance expertise during firewall migrations, network redesigns, security reviews or urgent troubleshooting. External professionals can document existing rules, plan a safe cutover, test failover and transfer knowledge to internal teams. Language expectations and access procedures should be agreed early, especially when work involves German-speaking stakeholders or facilities.
Quality signals
A strong OPNsense professional explains why each rule, route and VPN choice exists instead of treating the interface as a checklist. Look for experience with least-privilege policies, certificate handling, logging, backups and recovery testing. Good work leaves readable documentation, controlled administrative access and a tested rollback path. Experience with pfSense can be relevant because the products share concepts, but platform-specific OPNsense practice still matters.
Frequently asked questions
Key details about OPNsense, drawn from the questions we get asked most.
Companies use OPNsense for firewalling, routing, VPN connectivity, network segmentation and secure internet access. It can serve offices, branch networks, production environments, virtual machines and cloud-connected infrastructure.
OPNsense and pfSense address many of the same firewall and routing needs, and both are based on FreeBSD. They differ in interface design, release practices, available integrations and community preferences, so the better choice depends on operational requirements and existing knowledge.
A capable OPNsense freelancer should understand TCP/IP, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing, TLS certificates and network monitoring. Skills with IPsec, WireGuard, OpenVPN, directory services, virtualisation and high-availability networking are also valuable.
The required experience depends on the risk and scope of the work. A basic site setup may need focused configuration skills, while a migration, segmented enterprise network or high-availability design calls for a professional who can plan, test and document changes carefully.
Much OPNsense work can be completed remotely through controlled administrative access, especially planning, configuration and troubleshooting. On-site support may still be needed for hardware installation, cabling, physical access or a cutover where remote recovery is not guaranteed.
Prepare network diagrams, address ranges, existing firewall exports, VPN requirements, provider details and a list of critical services. For OPNsense, also clarify the desired access model, maintenance window, backup method and rollback plan before changes begin.
Ask the professional to explain rule order, default-deny decisions, logging, certificate handling and failure recovery. High-quality OPNsense work includes tested connectivity, documented configuration, restricted administration and evidence that backups and failover procedures function as intended.
OPNsense can fit German-speaking teams when the project includes clear documentation, agreed terminology and a practical handover. Remote collaboration works well when access, escalation routes and change approvals are defined, while local professionals may be useful for regulated facilities or on-site network work.
The average hourly rate of freelancers in Germany who have used OPNsense in their recent projects is 114 €, which corresponds to a daily rate of about 910 € based on an 8-hour working day.
Of the freelancers in Germany who have used OPNsense in their recent projects, 56% hold at least a Bachelor's degree, 33% hold at least a Master's degree, and 11% hold a doctorate.
On average, freelancers in Germany who have used OPNsense in their recent projects have 20 years of professional experience, with a single engagement typically lasting around 2.5 years.
The most common languages among freelancers in Germany who have used OPNsense in their recent projects are German (100%), English (100%), and Spanish (33%).
The most common industries among freelancers in Germany who have used OPNsense in their recent projects are Information Technology (100%), Professional Services (67%), and Automotive (50%).
The most common business areas among freelancers in Germany who have used OPNsense in their recent projects are Information Technology (100%), Operations (100%), and Project Management (92%).
Main locations of FRATCH Experts, who have recently used OPNsense
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.
Berlin Hamburg Munich Cologne Frankfurt Stuttgart Dusseldorf Leipzig Dortmund Essen Bremen Dresden Hanover Nuremberg Request a free demo
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Philipp Thomaschewski
FRATCH CEO
