Thorsten Limbach
Chief Information Officer | IT Transformation | Enterprise Architecture | IT Architecture | IT Operations
I am an experienced IT executive with a proven track record in transforming and strategically realigning IT organizations within both mid-sized and complex corporate structures. My career path has taken me from operational IT leadership through architecture and transformation roles to the position of CIO, with overall responsibility for IT strategy, operations, and organizational development.
I specialize in stabilizing, modernizing, and scaling mature IT landscapes, as well as building high-performing, service-oriented IT organizations. My focus is on sustainably increasing efficiency, transparency, and controllability in IT operations—always consistently aligned with business requirements and growth objectives. I combine in-depth technological understanding with entrepreneurial thinking to create resilient, future-proof IT structures as the foundation for transformation and innovation. I have extensive experience managing complex IT initiatives in mid-sized organizations, corporate environments, and security-critical projects (VS-NfD).
My profile combines three areas that rarely come together: operational IT leadership, architectural expertise, and a CIO/organizational perspective. I have evolved from a technical specialist through IT services and infrastructure management into architecture and transformation roles, and I now hold a CIO position. My focus is on stabilizing and structuring IT landscapes and aligning them so that they truly support the business. So I don’t come from a theoretical background, but from a practical one—and that is precisely why I can bring strategy, architecture, and operations together.
IT Project Management
Successfully plan, manage, and implement complex IT projects on schedule.
Process Optimization
Analyze, streamline, and sustainably improve IT and business processes.
IT Consulting
Practical consulting for stable, secure, and future-proof IT infrastructures.
IT Infrastructure
Design and operate modern server, network, and cloud solutions.
IT Security & COMPLIANCE
Security requirements, BSI Basic Protection, and audits.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Successfully guiding and leading transformation processes.
Skills
IT Project Management (15+ years) | IT Consulting (15+ years) | Strategic Process Optimization (10+ years) | Change Management (15+ years) | IT Infrastructure Design (15+ years) | Infrastructure Management (15+ years) | ITIL (15+ years) | PRINCE2 (10+ years) | Scrum (8 years) | Kanban (8 years) | BSI Basic Protection Concepts (8 years) | Auditing Procedures (4 years) | VS-NFD Environments (3 years) | Server Management (25+ years) | Virtualization (VMWare, HyperV, Proxmox) (15+ years) | Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, Rocky, RedHat) (25+ years) | Windows (servers up to 2022, clients up to Win11) (25+ years) | Directory, Active Directory & Hybrid AD (25+ years) | Microsoft IIS (9 years) | Apache (15+) | NGINX (15+) | Hyper-V (14+ years) | Docker (5 years) | Kubernetes (5 years) | Monitoring (WhatsUp, CheckMK) (10 years) | Firewalling (Unify, OPNSense, Fortigate, PFSense) (15 years) | Network Infrastructure (Cisco, HP/Aruba) (15 years) | OS Deployment (Baramudi, SystemCenter, WDS/MDT, Matrix42, M23, Linux PXE, Opsi) (15+ years) | Ollama (5+), EXO (1+)
Industries
Public Sector · Manufacturing · International Trade · IT Services · Software Development · Consulting · Critical Infrastructure
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Topics
Where I can help.
- Development and implementation of digitalization strategies
- Introduction of new technologies and platforms
- Modernization of existing IT environments
- Assessment of digitalization potential
- Technology transitions and migrations
- Support for transformation projects
- Establishment of future-proof IT structures
- Design of modern IT infrastructures
- Server and data center operations
- Virtualization with VMware, Hyper-V, and Proxmox
- Hybrid and cloud scenarios
- Network and firewall designs
- Active Directory and identity management
- High-availability solutions
- Infrastructure migrations and consolidations
- Planning and managing complex IT projects
- Project leadership during critical project phases
- Implementation of new IT systems
- Stakeholder management
- Resource and budget planning
- Risk management
- Project methodologies based on PRINCE2, Scrum, and Kanban
- Quality assurance and project reviews
- Development and refinement of security concepts
- Implementation of BSI Basic Protection requirements
- Preparation for audits and certifications
- Security analyses and risk assessments
- Protection of critical infrastructure
- Security requirements in government agencies and companies
- VS-NfD-compliant IT environments
- Compliance and governance issues
- Analysis of existing IT and business processes
- Identification of opportunities for optimization
- Automation of recurring tasks
- Implementation of efficient operational processes
- Service management based on ITIL
- Improvement of support and operational workflows
- Standardization of IT processes
- Development of sustainable operational models
- Supporting organizational change
- Communicating change processes
- Implementing new work methods and systems
- Supporting managers and teams
- Managing acceptance in transformation projects
- Training and empowerment programs
- Overcoming resistance
- Ensuring the long-term implementation of changes
- Stabilization of critical IT systems
- Analysis and resolution of complex issues
- Server and platform operations
- Monitoring and surveillance strategies
- Performance optimization
- Linux and Windows environments
- Container platforms (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Operation and security of production systems