Thomas Kaufmann - Data Protection and Information Security Consultant

Q: Where is Thomas based?

Thomas is based in Hilpoltstein, Germany and prefers 100% remote projects.

Q: What languages does Thomas speak?

Thomas speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Thomas have?

Thomas has at least 30 years of experience. During this time, Thomas has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 3 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 5 years . Note that Thomas may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Thomas's latest experience?

Thomas's most recent position is Data Protection and Information Security Consultant at DatenSchutzBeratung Dr. Kaufmann GmbH .

Q: What companies has Thomas worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Thomas has worked for DatenSchutzBeratung Dr. Kaufmann GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Automotive , and Information Technology (IT) . Thomas also has some experience in Healthcare and Education .

Q: Which business areas is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology (IT) , Legal and Compliance , and Quality Assurance (QA) . Thomas also has some experience in Finance , Project Management , and Product Development .

Q: Which industries has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in industries like Healthcare , Information Technology (IT) , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology (IT) , Legal and Compliance , and Quality Assurance (QA) .

Recommended expert

Hilpoltstein, Germany

Experience

Jul 2020 - Present

5 years 8 months

Hilpoltstein, Germany

Data Protection and Information Security Consultant

DatenSchutzBeratung Dr. Kaufmann GmbH

Introduced an ISMS with successful ISO 27001 certification at a software manufacturer
Revised the ISMS and prepared for ISO 27001 certification at an IT service provider
Migrated the ISMS to ISO 27001:2022 at a software manufacturer
Updated data protection at a medium-sized industrial company
Permanent appointments as external data protection officer at a hospital and a small software consulting firm, and as information security officer at a healthcare software company

May 2018 - Jun 2020

2 years 2 months

Nuremberg, Germany

Vice President Corporate Data Protection (Chief Data Protection Officer)

LEONI AG

Established a data protection management system to ensure GDPR accountability
Implemented a global contract for intra-group data exchange
Planned and conducted EU-wide data protection trainings
Created and maintained the record of processing activities
Established channels and procedures for data protection incidents and requests
Supported projects and conducted audits
Deleted data from an SAP HR system
Served as internal data protection officer for LEONI AG and external data protection officer for 14 German subsidiaries
Provided technical leadership to up to 30 data protection coordinators and had disciplinary responsibility for up to 1.5 positions

Apr 2010 - Apr 2018

8 years 1 month

Nuremberg, Germany

Vice President Corporate Information Security (Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Data Protection Officer)

LEONI AG

Ensured confidential, integral, and available information processing compliant with BDSG
Built and operated an information security management system including policy development
Increased awareness across the company
Developed a mid-term plan for IT security technologies and implemented it
Checked policy compliance through assessments and audits
Prepared and supported customer audits (e.g., VDA TISAX)
Globally led the compliance field of Data Privacy
Developed and improved data protection policies
Monitored the use of data processing applications

Dec 2005 - Dec 2006

1 year 1 month

Nuremberg, Germany

Team Leader SAP Logistics

LEONI AG

Led a team for customizing and programming the SAP R/3 logistics modules PP, SD, MM, and APO
Provided technical leadership to up to 10 employees

Dec 2000 - Mar 2010

9 years 4 months

Nuremberg, Germany

Consultant for Cross-Functional Roles in Central IT and Organization / Manager IM Administration Information Management

LEONI AG

Developed IT strategy, IT controlling, and IT security
Implemented and maintained project portfolio management
Participated in implementing international transfer pricing for IT costs
Supported IT audits for the annual financial audit
Introduced parts of ITIL in information management
Created and trained a project management manual
Contributed to the introduction of a company-wide intranet and ticket system

Jun 1995 - Jun 2000

5 years 1 month

Erlangen, Germany

Research Associate

Bavarian Research Center for Knowledge-Based Systems (FORWISS)

Contributing to research on cooperative software development
Teaching Business Informatics I, including lectures at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Manufacturing (17 years), Automotive (11 years), Information Technology (10.5 years), Healthcare (5.5 years), and Education (5 years).

Manufacturing

Automotive

Information Technology

Healthcare

Education

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Information Technology (23 years), Legal (16 years), Quality Assurance (13.5 years), Finance (9.5 years), Project Management (9.5 years), and Product Development (5 years).

Information Technology

Legal

Quality Assurance

Finance

Project Management

Product Development

Skills

Social Skills And Competences

Willingness To Perform
Sense Of Responsibility
Collegial Leadership Style
Team Spirit
Conflict Resolution Skills
Openness In Dealing With People

Organizational Skills And Competences

Conceptual, Analytical And Abstract Thinking
Solution Orientation
Overview
Accuracy
Desire To Optimize And Readiness To Change

It Knowledge And Competences

Data Protection According To Gdpr And Bdsg
Information Security
Sap-erp/hcm
Basic Programming And Html Knowledge
Confident Use Of Office Programs
Data Protection Management Software (2b-advice Prime)
Isms Software (Verinice; Iris; Omnitracker)
Gdd-cert (Bdsg Old Version)
Itil Foundation

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Jun 1995 - Jul 2000

Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg

PhD (Dr. rer. pol.), "Design of a Marketplace for Heterogeneous Components of Enterprise Application Systems" · Business Informatics · Erlangen, Germany

Oct 1989 - May 1995

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Diploma in Business Informatics · Business Informatics · Darmstadt, Germany

Certifications & licenses

Driver's license classes A, A1, AM, B, BE, C1, C1E, CE, L

GDD-cert (BDSG old version)

ITIL Foundation

Profile

Created

January 2025

Last Update

January 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Thomas based?

Thomas is based in Hilpoltstein, Germany and prefers 100% remote projects.

What languages does Thomas speak?

Thomas speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Thomas have?

Thomas has at least 30 years of experience. During this time, Thomas has worked in at least 6 different roles and for 3 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 5 years. Note that Thomas may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Thomas be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Thomas would be well-suited for roles such as: Data Protection and Information Security Consultant, Vice President Corporate Data Protection (Chief Data Protection Officer), Vice President Corporate Information Security (Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Data Protection Officer).

What is Thomas's latest experience?

Thomas's most recent position is Data Protection and Information Security Consultant at DatenSchutzBeratung Dr. Kaufmann GmbH.

What companies has Thomas worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Thomas has worked for DatenSchutzBeratung Dr. Kaufmann GmbH.

Which industries is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Information Technology (IT). Thomas also has some experience in Healthcare and Education.

Which business areas is Thomas most experienced in?

Thomas is most experienced in business areas like Information Technology (IT), Legal and Compliance, and Quality Assurance (QA). Thomas also has some experience in Finance, Project Management, and Product Development.

Which industries has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in industries like Healthcare, Information Technology (IT), and Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Thomas worked in recently?

Thomas has recently worked in business areas like Information Technology (IT), Legal and Compliance, and Quality Assurance (QA).

What is Thomas's education?

Thomas holds a Doctorate in Business Informatics from Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and a Master in Business Informatics from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.

Does Thomas have any certificates?

Thomas has 3 certificates. These include: Driver's license classes A, A1, AM, B, BE, C1, C1E, CE, L, GDD-cert (BDSG old version), and ITIL Foundation.

What is the availability of Thomas?

Thomas is immediately available part-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Thomas?

Thomas's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.