CV
About me
My name is Folker Schmidt and I am an IT security specialist from Berlin with a focus on incident response and digital forensics.
In addition to these core topics, I also worked as a penetration tester and supported other departments on various BCM topics.
As part of the further development of the internal IT infrastructure, I also developed a long-term archiving solution and helped with designing the new systems.
At my previous employers, I created dynamic firewall configurations for smart meter gateways and Gematik connectors, worked in software quality assurance and was responsible for network and system administration.
Certifications
Even though I have been working for many years in areas where certifications are welcome, I have rejected or canceled all certification offers in the past. I am happy to explain the backgrounds of this in direct dialogue.
Languages
- German (native)
- English (fluent spoken and written)
- French (basic)
Career
| Period | Employer | Activity and references |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-present | HiSolutions AG | Penetration tester, forensic analyst, incident responder - Incident response for insurance, regular and frame contract customers - Planning and implementation of internal IT infrastructure - Development of a tape archiving solution - Internal and external vulnerability analysis - Forensic analysis of digital artefacts - Support for BCM projects - Project management - Employee training and workshops - Writing articles for the in-house research blog Research Blog - Internal incident analysis - Automation of tasks via Bash scripting - Setting up the internal hardware laboratory |
| 2013-2015 | OpenLimit GmbH | Support and QA employee - Quality assurance eID server and TrueDentity - Test automation for server components - Porting of installation routines - Development of dynamic firewall rules for Gematik Connector - Development of dynamic firewall rules for smart meter gateways - Support for contract customers - Vulnerability analysis and protective measures at network level - Support in the implementation of DNS, DHCP and NTP components - Error analysis in TLS encryption |
| 2009-2012 | abat AG | Administrator - Maintenance and expansion of the network infrastructure (Cisco) - Domain administration (Windows Server 2003/2008, Linux) - SAP Basis administration - Connection of remote locations via VPN - Basic maintenance of Mac clients - Planning and implementation of backup strategies - Virtualization and storage consolidation (VMWare ESX) - User support for branches in Germany, Belarus, Mexico, USA - Maintenance and content management (internal blogs, forums, Sharepoint) - Transition from DAS to SAN for virtual systems - Procurement and configuration of client and server security components - Provision of client machines via WSUS/RIS - Maintenance of the PBX (Asterisk, Cisco CallManager) - Configuration and monitoring of the mail filter - Network monitoring via Spiceworks |
| 2005-2006 | gkk GmbH | Callcenter Agent - Various projects (inbound and outbound) |
| 2005 | CologneTec OHG | Owner - Web design - Sales - Adjustments to the PHP shop software - Development of customer-specific solutions - Database management |
| 2002-2004 | Medion AG | Technical support employee (call center) - Technical telephone support for end users (DE/EN) - Escalation management supporting the team leaders - Development of beginner-friendly problem-solving measures - Documentation of new solutions for internal use |
| 2002 | SLZ gGmbH | Training manager for computer courses - Windows basics for children / beginners / seniors - Microsoft Office basics for advanced users - Website design with HTML and CSS - Network basics with Windows - “Internet license” and security in Internet Administrator - Programming of a warehouse management software - Windows domain administration - User support - Installation of physical security solutions - Planning and implementation of a backup concept |
| 1999-2000 | Cards Direkt GmbH | Temporary administrator - Client installations and software rollouts - User support in the Windows and Office environment |
Training
| Period | Training company(s) | Activity and references |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-2009 | abat AG (Schulzentrum Utbremen) |
Training - IT specialist (system integration) |
| 1999 | Cards Direkt GmbH | Internship - Basic Windows domain configurations - Automated client installations |
| 1994-2001 | Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Gymnasium Quickborn | Education - Intermediate school leaving certificate |
Other interests and information
- Friendly relationships with several groups close to the CCC
- Former c-base member
- Regular visitor of the Chaos Communication Congress
- Regular visitor of the annual hacker camps
- Linux user (primarily Fedora)
- Critical of AI and its unreflective use
- Recreational programmer and solderer
- Allergic to open-plan offices
- Equipped with ADHD superpowers
- Empathetic even in stressful situations
- Solution-oriented and creative within the limits of the provisions
- Strong focus on IT security and data protection
- Rules exists to be questioned
- Not particularly morally flexible
- Doesn’t like suit carnival
- “Cyber” is pronounced “Zauber” (German for “magic”) and is never used without a wink
- Knowledge that isn’t shared is worthless