Stuttgart continues to grow as a center for automotive, industrial, and digital innovation. The region depends on strong cybersecurity leadership, and many of today’s most influential security executives work with organizations that operate across Baden-Württemberg and Europe. This list highlights ten leaders shaping security strategy, digital transformation, and resilience across their sectors.
Heidelinde Rameder
CISO, Borealis GmbH
Heidelinde earned recognition as CISO of the Year 2025 for her work in modernizing cybersecurity programs within complex industrial environments. She focuses on strong governance, transparent reporting, and practical security that supports digital transformation. Her leadership continues to influence best practices across the region.
Werner Kaiser
CISO, Porsche Holding Salzburg
Werner also received the CISO of the Year 2025 award for his work in automotive cybersecurity. He supports secure development across mobility systems, connected vehicle platforms, and global operations. His approach helps strengthen cybersecurity standards within the broader automotive ecosystem.
Claudia Plattner
President, German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)
Claudia leads Germany’s federal cybersecurity authority. She drives national policy, oversees critical infrastructure protection, and supports European cooperation. Her work sets the direction for cybersecurity strategy across both public and private sectors and has a clear impact on security priorities in the Stuttgart region.
Christian Müller
Co-CEO, Schwarz Digits
Christian oversees cybersecurity and digital innovation for the Schwarz Group. He supports cloud security, data protection, and enterprise infrastructure across one of Europe’s largest retail and IT organizations. His influence extends across national borders, shaping how large enterprises approach cybersecurity at scale.
Rolf Schumann
Co-CEO, Schwarz Digits
Rolf works with Christian to guide the cybersecurity strategy of the Schwarz Group. Together they build large-scale security programs that support cloud platforms, logistics, and digital services used across Europe. Their shared work helps strengthen security maturity across the region’s digital ecosystem.
Andreas Grau
Head of Cyber Security, Consileon Business Consultancy GmbH
Andreas supports major German enterprises through cybersecurity transformation programs. He focuses on practical measures that improve resilience and help companies build long-term security capabilities. His guidance is valuable for organizations navigating regulatory change and increasing cyber risk.
Marcel Lehner
CISO, MM Group
Marcel is known for his work in industrial cybersecurity and his focus on operational resilience. He supports secure manufacturing environments and helps develop strategies that protect industrial systems from modern threats. His leadership influences security standards across the industrial sector.
Richard Marcus
CISO, AuditBoard
Richard is recognized globally for his expertise in infrastructure and product security. He continues to contribute to international cybersecurity discussions and is often cited among top CISOs for his clear direction and technical skill. His work supports secure design and software integrity across large organizations.
Henrik Parkkinen
CISO, WirelessCar
Henrik leads cybersecurity for one of the key providers of connected vehicle technology. He focuses on secure mobility platforms, data protection, and infrastructure used across the automotive industry. His work is central to building trust in connected vehicle services.
Nicole Darden Ford
CISO, Microsoft Germany
Nicole guides cybersecurity strategy for one of the largest enterprise technology providers in the country. She supports cloud security, identity protection, and digital infrastructure across Microsoft’s German operations. Her leadership shapes how businesses adopt cloud services securely.
Stuttgart plays a major role in Europe’s cybersecurity landscape. These ten leaders continue to move the region forward through strong governance, secure innovation, and practical approaches to risk. Their work shapes the future of industrial security, automotive technology, and digital transformation across Germany and beyond.