Information Security Officer

The Role
As Group ISB, you own the information security strategy, programme, and posture of the Vektor Group, from strategy to hands-on execution. You work in close operational partnership with the Director of Internal IT on technical controls and implementation. Your core mandate is ISO 27001 certification on the basis of BSI IT-Grundschutz, together with NIS-2 compliance: from gap analysis and controls implementation through audit readiness, ongoing maintenance, and the regulatory obligations arising under both frameworks.
We build AI platforms for customers in the defence and government sector. Information security is a precondition for our business, not an afterthought. We are building the security organisation while the group grows. During this phase, everyone including leadership works hands-on: day-to-day operational security, direct support for the IT team, and tasks outside the boundaries of a traditional governance role. External consultants support the ramp-up. As the ISMS and the team mature, the balance shifts toward strategy and governance.
Your Responsibilities

Build and operate the group-wide ISMS following BSI standards 200-1/200-2/200-3: structure analysis, protection needs assessment, modelling, risk analysis

Create and maintain the security policy framework and processes at group level; coordinate company-specific additions

Prepare and accompany ISO 27001 certification, run internal audits, work with external auditors

Implement NIS-2 obligations: reporting processes, evidence management, corrective action tracking

Manage risk across technical and organizational domains, including reporting to executive management

Steer external consultants and service providers within the running programme

Build and run the security awareness programme: training and sensitization

Own incident response planning and coordinate during incidents, together with IT, Legal, and leadership

Assess third-party and vendor risk, run security assessments for new tools and partners

Work closely with the Director of Internal IT (technical controls: access governance, endpoint security, identity) and with platform engineering (interface to product security)

Support sales and customer trust processes: security questionnaires, due diligence, customer audits

Track further regulatory requirements (EU AI Act, Cyber Resilience Act, among others) and derive required action

What You Bring

Several years of experience as an ISB or in comparable responsibility for information security

Proven practice with BSI IT-Grundschutz: BSI standards 200-x and the Grundschutz-Kompendium, ideally including a completed certification procedure

Experience building or leading ISO 27001 programmes, from gap analysis to audit readiness

Solid risk management: you assess, prioritize, and communicate risk clearly to technical and non-technical audiences

Willingness to work hands-on during the build-up phase

Confident interaction with executive management, auditors, and customers

German at C1 or above, English at B2 or above

Nice to Have

Certifications: IT-Grundschutz-Praktiker/-Berater, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor, CISSP, CISM

Experience with security governance across multiple legal entities or jurisdictions

Experience in regulated environments: defence, government, critical infrastructure; familiarity with VS-NfD, Geheimschutz, or AQAP

Practical NIS-2 implementation experience

Experience with sales-adjacent security processes (pre-sales, customer audits)

What We Offer

International team with colleagues across Germany and other locations.

Startup environment with real ownership, flat hierarchies, and fast decisions.

Competitive compensation aligned with experience and responsibility.

Individual learning and growth opportunities beyond your role.

Originally posted on Himalayas