About Stefan
I support organizations in analyzing, stabilizing, and strategically improving complex software and system landscapes — especially where development, security, compliance, and operational reality intersect.
My work is not focused on feature development, but on:
Analyzing grown or poorly documented systems
Performing root-cause analysis for errors, outages, and unexpected behavior
Translating technical risks into decision-relevant insights
Stabilizing existing applications, integrations, and configurations
I typically work in backend- and configuration-heavy environments, with a strong focus on:
Scripts, services, and APIs
Configuration and data formats (JSON, YAML)
Automation and integration logic
Security- and compliance-adjacent systems (e.g. KRITIS, NIS2, ISMS-related environments)
The technologies involved depend on the system itself — commonly Python, PHP, and configuration-driven stacks — rather than on tool preference.
Typical Engagements
Analysis and resolution of critical production issues
Troubleshooting legacy or transitional systems
Technical due diligence and second-opinion reviews
Supporting teams under time pressure or regulatory constraints
Architecture and decision support at the intersection of technology and management
Working Style
I work fully remote, structured, and outcome-focused.
Clear scope, transparent communication, and pragmatic solutions matter more to me than overengineering or unnecessary rewrites.
My goal is not maximum code, but maximum impact:
stability, clarity, and informed decision-making.
German
Native or bilingual
English
Fluent
Remote only
Primarily works remotely
Experience
- مستقل / Independent / Freelance professionalFreelance Software & Systems AnalystCONSULTING AND AUDITSJanuary 2015 - Today (11 years and 5 months)Karlsruhe, GermanyFreelance project work focused on software analysis, debugging,and stabilisation of existing systems.Assignments range from short-term troubleshooting totargeted improvements in legacy or poorly documented environments.
- FreelanceSecurity Architect (NIS2 / KRITIS / AI-Enabled Systems)November 2025 - Today (7 months)Mekka, Saudi ArabiaDesign and advisory work on decision-centric security architectures aligned with NIS2 and KRITIS requirements. Focus on accountable decision structures, AI-enabled security systems, and the translation of technical risk into executive and regulatory decision models.مهندس أمن مستقل متخصص في هندسة القرار الأمني والأنظمة ( والبنى الحيوية NIS2 المدعومة بالذكاء الاصطناعي وفق ( KRITIS
- Independent AI Research & DevelopmentIndependent Research Consultant – AI Security & Operator StrategyNovember 2022 - October 2025 (2 years and 11 months)Sand, Drachhausen, BB, GermanyIndependent Research Consultant focusing on AI Security, Red-Teaming, andOperator-level strategy. Specialized in auditing Large Language Models (LLMs), identifying alignment gaps, and developing CVE-style operator playbooks. Key activities include:• • Research on AI vulnerabilities, refusal mechanics, and psychological escalation (Cognitive Warfare).• • Development of obfuscated playbooks and technical reports with DOI(Zenodo).• • Bridging deep technical reverse engineering with management-ready strategic insights.
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Education
- Mehrere Generationen managen Ausbilder EignungsprüfungMehrere Generationen managen Ausbilder Eignungsprüfung
- Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit.IHK Karlsruhe2017Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit.
Certifications
- Decision-Centric Security Trilogy (DOI Publication)Zenodo — Peer-reviewable research
- KRITIS MeshNet – Part I: The EU Sovereignty StackZenodo — Peer-reviewable research2015