Work
About Me
I am a 36-year-old Swiss national, currently living and working between Amsterdam (NL) and Paris (FR).
Since 1997, I’ve had the privilege of living and/or working in Switzerland, Chile, the United States, Singapore, Argentina, France, The Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom, in some outstanding companies across multiple industries.
What I’m Looking For
While my background and specialization lie primarily in the field of information security and risk management, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities in any of the following areas:
- Member of a dynamic, intelligent, motivated startup team. Do you like to come up with ways in which something can be done rather than discussing how it can’t? Game on.
- Company turnaround or rescue of a firm. Preferably one that builds boats or motorcycles or something similarly awesome.
- Chief technical officer, chief information officer, or head of information security in a company that’s at least somewhat established. I’ve been helping large corporate clients develop their security and compliance organizations since 2000.
…You name it! Is it interesting? Rewarding? I am always open for openings that allow me to build on my experience, enthusiasm and education, preferably in an international arena.
Education
I have an undergraduate degree in international relations from the University of California at Berkeley.
In 2008, I completed an MBA at INSEAD in France after deciding to develop my horizons. That was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, but just one in a long series of headlong dives I’ve taken into new challenges.
Knowledge and Experience
Over the past 15 years I have worked primarily in information security-related projects, focused on
- Security incident response
- Information security risk management
- Corporate security strategy development and implementation
- Identity and authentication management
- Encryption technologies
- Business continuity planning and operations
- Network security architecture and operations
Since 2000, I have worked with Chakraborty SW GmbH, a boutique information systems consulting firm that I helped to develop. Our clients include numerous major international banks, insurances, pharmaceutical / medical firms, government institutions, and other corporate customers. Our focus in all our engagements is working closely with customers “under the radar”, solving tricky and intricate problems that larger consulting firms are unwilling or unable to handle.
Together with my former colleague Patrik Elsa I co-authored a published article on incident response, and contributed text to CLSI AUTO11-A – IT Security of In Vitro Diagnostic Instruments and Software. Exciting stuff.
I currently run the Swiss information security mailing list, an informal forum for IT professionals in and around Switzerland.
Industries and Expertise
My projects have focused primarily on the financial services, insurance, and medical fields, although I have considerable knowledge of for government, education, and general manufacturing clients.
I have a broad, in-depth technical background, and a wealth of successful experience bridging the gap between corporate information technology and strategic / business.
My current focus comprises risk management strategies and operations based on SOX, Basel II, ISO 27000 family (27001, 27002, 27003, 27004, 27005, 27006), as well as HIPAA and European financial and medical data protection laws and standards.
Languages and International Exposure
I speak English and German natively, as well as fluent French and Spanish, the latter learned during a 14-month sojourn in South America. I’ve always enjoyed the new and unknown, and am comfortable landing on my feet in pretty much any cultural or geographic environment.
I’ve lived and worked in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Chile, Argentina, France, Singapore, and the Netherlands.
You are welcome to download my CV and background description from the links at left, and to contact me with any questions or feedback by e-mail under john [-at-] zog [-dot-] net.