Konstantin Simonow - Interim Management Head of Cyber Defense Unit

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Berlin, Germany

Experience

Aug 2023 - May 2024

10 months

Interim Management Head of Cyber Defense Unit

Established the Cyber Defense Unit following a major cybersecurity incident.
Recruited a team of Cybersecurity Architects, Engineers, and Senior Security Analysts.
Managed the team’s resources and activities in defining and implementing a target cybersecurity architecture, monitoring the IT landscape, detecting and responding to security events and incidents, and consulting other IT stakeholders in their efforts to improve the organization’s cybersecurity posture (comparable to Technical CISO role).
Led the separation of Information Security (governance, risk, compliance) and Cyberdefense Unit (technical cybersecurity), in close collaboration with the CISO.
Led the selection and onboarding of external Security Operations Center (MSSP).

Apr 2023 - Jul 2023

4 months

Project Management Recovery from a Major Cybersecurity Incident

Part of the crisis response organization, managed parts of the recovery project from a major ransomware attack.
Managed the restoration efforts for several critical IT systems and the complete recovery of a heavily impacted site in the UK after the initial containment and eradication efforts.
Coordinated efforts on-site with headquarters and the global IT organization.
Managed priorities, resources, stakeholders, and reported to the board and Global Project Lead.

Oct 2022 - Apr 2023

7 months

On-site

IT Project Management: Post-Merger Integration

Managed the integration of a new production site into a medium-sized pharmaceutical company.
Responsible for planning and implementation of infrastructure and systems, data migration, IT service management processes, and organizational changes.
Led a project team comprising employees from the customer and target company, using Jira and Confluence for project documentation.
Handled service provider and stakeholder management in an international environment (Germany, France, Italy, UK).

Jul 2021 - Oct 2022

1 year 4 months

Programme Management: IT Security, Compliance, and Quality

Oversaw a risk mitigation and compliance program (GxP, ISO27001, SOX).
Managed projects focused on standardizing IT management processes in a regulated environment and implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) with certification.
Responsible for project teams, planning, progress monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder management.
Utilized both waterfall and agile project management methods (SCRUM) with Jira/Confluence.

Mar 2020 - Mar 2021

1 year 1 month

IT Project Management: Construction and Commissioning of a Large Distribution Center

Managed the IT part of a project to build and commission a global distribution center with complete IT equipment (infrastructure, warehouse management systems, integration ERP) and intralogistics in a regulated environment (medical products).
Oversaw the on-budget and timely provision of the entire IT infrastructure, devices, and setup of the warehouse management system with integration with the customer ERP system.
Conceptualized IT service management processes for support during operations and drafted and negotiated SLAs.
Managed software partners, consultants, and the internal project team.

Sep 2019 - Jan 2020

5 months

CIO Consulting: Realignment of IT Organization and Development of Comprehensive IT Governance Framework

Advised the CIO on the realignment of the IT organization and developed an IT governance system.
Prepared decision documents for configuring the IT organization and introducing appropriate governance mechanisms.

Jan 2018 - Jun 2019

1 year 6 months

Project Management: GDPR Compliance

Oversaw a project to ensure full compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for Germany’s largest cruise-operator with millions of customers.
Revised project content, planning, and implementation control after a previous failed attempt with another project manager.
Worked closely with DPO, IT management and functional management to ensure compliance across all affected processes and systems.
Reported directly to the CIO, management, and steering committees at Group level.

Jan 2018 - Jun 2019

1 year 6 months

Project Management: Process Management and Organizational Change of IT Service Management Processes (ITIL)

Managed a project aimed at reorganizing the customer's IT service desk and standardizing helpdesk processes company-wide using Atlassian Jira.
Led the project team, analysed existing processes, and developed target processes based on ITIL reference processes.
Managed an external implementation partner for Jira requirements (automation, reporting, etc.).

Jul 2017 - Jul 2017

1 month

Management Training: Roadmap Industry 4.0

Planned and implemented an Industry 4.0 workshop for various stakeholders (production and logistics management).
Researched Industry 4.0, delivered keynote speech, and moderated the workshop to develop a roadmap for the location.

Nov 2015 - Jul 2017

1 year 9 months

Programme Management: Building a Global Parcel Distribution Network

Managed the introduction of a global parcel service and establishment of a global distribution network involving postal services and parcel service providers worldwide.
Oversaw all projects from IT to marketing/sales, including risk and stakeholder management.
Reported directly to the Management Board of the Lead Carrier.

Apr 2015 - Nov 2015

8 months

Business Analysis and Requirements Management: Enterprise Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Solution

Developed a group-wide Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence solution for over 100 legally independent companies in 16 countries.
Analysed the company's strategy, business model, and organizational structure.
Defined the information strategy, key performance indicator system, and requirements in workshops with stakeholders from all affected functions, e.g. procurement, marketing, sales, logistics, finance.

Jan 2014 - Jul 2014

7 months

Program Management: Establishment of a European Parcel Network

Developed a Europe-wide parcel network by integrating several carriers in European core and growth markets.
Managed scope, planning, monitoring, risk management, and stakeholder management.

Jun 2013 - Dec 2013

7 months

Business Process Optimization: Listed Private Equity Company

Collected, documented, and analysed the current process landscape, developing target processes and an IT concept.
Compared industry-specific software solutions for private equity companies.

Mar 2013 - May 2015

2 years 3 months

Process Development: Introduction of Company-Wide Process Management

Introduced business process management across the company, creating organizational foundations and improving processes.
Consulted on the design of the process management organization and developed high-level process maps for various functional areas.

Aug 2011 - Oct 2011

3 months

Organizational Consulting: Realignment of Internal IT

Analysed and developed a concept for a target organization and an IT operating model to create a service-oriented IT organization.
Defined IT services, processes, roles, and responsibilities.

Mar 2010 - Apr 2013

3 years 2 months

IT Project Management and Management Consulting: Establishment of a Parcel Service Provider in Russia

Managed market entry and development of a parcel service provider in Russia as part of a Russian-German joint venture.
Strategically analysed, defined business services and processes, and established governance structures.

Aug 2008 - Jan 2009

6 months

Process Consulting: SAP-APO Rollout

Implemented SAP APO for cost-optimized, capacity-aware, and on-schedule production planning and control.
Collected and documented actual processes and developed target processes considering SAP APO features.

Jan 2008 - Jul 2008

7 months

Organizational Consulting: Project Management Methodology

Standardized the procedure for ECM implementation projects based on risk classes (investment volume).
Developed a project management concept based on common standards (PRINCE and PMBOK).

Berlin, Germany