Germany’s energy sector sits at the intersection of critical infrastructure, geopolitical pressure, and rapid digital transformation. As utilities and generators modernise grids, integrate renewables, and converge IT and OT environments, cybersecurity has become a board-level responsibility rather than a technical afterthought. The CISOs featured below play central roles in protecting some of Germany’s most critical energy assets, balancing regulatory demands, operational resilience, and long-term transformation in one of the country’s most strategically important industries.
René Rindermann — Chief Information Security Officer, E.ON
René Rindermann has been Chief Information Security Officer of E.ON Group since 2017, overseeing information security across the company’s global IT and OT environments. His career at E.ON spans more than two decades, beginning in consulting roles and progressing through sales controlling, marketing and sales operations, and infrastructure transformation leadership. He later led E.ON’s Infrastructure Outsourcing program and the company’s Security Improvement Program, which marked his transition into senior security leadership. As CISO, he leads worldwide teams responsible for securing critical energy systems, combining deep organisational knowledge with long-term operational and transformation experience.
Nikk Gilbert — Global Chief Information Security Officer, RWE
Nikk Gilbert serves as Global CISO at RWE, leading cybersecurity strategy and execution across the group’s international operations. His role is tightly aligned with RWE’s large-scale energy transition, including significant investments in wind, solar, and hydrogen as part of the company’s net-zero ambitions. He focuses on ensuring that cybersecurity supports, rather than hinders, innovation and sustainability initiatives. By aligning risk management with business strategy, he positions security as an enabler of resilient operations and long-term value protection across RWE’s rapidly evolving digital and operational landscape.
Dr. Michael Ebner — Group Chief Information Security Officer and Director Information Security, EnBW
Dr. Michael Ebner has served as Group CISO at EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG since 2017. With a PhD in Computer Science and more than 15 years of experience in critical infrastructure environments, he has held senior security roles at Deutsche Bahn, E.ON, and EnBW. At EnBW, he is responsible for defining and governing group-wide information security, including emergency response capabilities and strategic authority in crisis situations. His work focuses on resilience, measurement-driven security management, and aligning cybersecurity with business trust, regulatory expectations, and long-term organisational culture.
Francesco Ruiu — Chief Information Security Officer and CERT Manager, Uniper
Francesco Ruiu has been CISO and CERT Manager at Uniper since 2016, where he is responsible for information security and cyber incident response across the organisation. His background includes extensive experience in SCADA and operational environments, shaped during his time at E.ON Climate & Renewables and E.ON Group. Prior to Uniper, he worked as an information security analyst, project IT lead, and freelance consultant. His career reflects a strong blend of hands-on technical expertise and leadership in securing energy infrastructure, with particular depth in operational technology and critical system environments.
Steffen Weitz — Chief Information Security Officer, enercity AG and enercity Netz GmbH
Steffen Weitz is CISO for enercity AG and enercity Netz GmbH, bringing more than 25 years of experience across strategy, digital transformation, governance, and data security. His background spans enterprise architecture, cloud technologies, analytics, and digital sales, alongside deep involvement in privacy and information security governance. In his role, he focuses on integrating cybersecurity into broader digitisation initiatives within municipal energy operations. His work reflects the growing complexity of modern utilities, where security must be embedded across data, infrastructure, and customer-facing digital platforms.
Christian Schröder — Chief Information Security Officer and Head of Global Information Security, Enercon
Christian Schröder leads global information security at Enercon as CISO and Head of Global Information Security. His leadership approach emphasises change, innovation, and clear communication across international teams. With experience managing complex global challenges, he focuses on translating technical security issues into practical, business-relevant solutions. His work supports Enercon’s global operations as a major wind energy technology provider, where cybersecurity must scale across engineering, production, and international collaboration. He is recognised for fostering open communication, cultural awareness, and solution-oriented leadership in demanding environments.
Securing Germany’s Energy Transition at Scale
As Germany accelerates its energy transition, cybersecurity leadership within the sector has become inseparable from national resilience, operational continuity, and public trust. The CISOs highlighted here operate at the core of this transformation, protecting grids, generation assets, and digital platforms that underpin the country’s energy supply. Their roles illustrate how cybersecurity in German energy is no longer just about defense, but about enabling a secure, sustainable, and future-ready energy system.