Hanns Proenen studied Computer Science and Law at University of Bonn, Germany and UCLA, Los Angeles. Back then he already focused on the tensions between IT and civil rights. After 20 years in Software development he joined  General Electric where since 2002 he works in the areas of Information Security and Data Privacy. As Chief Information Security Officer GE Europe he is currently responsible for the IT Security of 80.000 co-workers in the region.

Mr. Proenen also leads the Center of Excellence for data privacy at GE Germany.

He is a frequent speaker at conferences and maintains a website www.data-defenders.de that offers free and pragmatic advice on security and privacy.