Serdar Colak Email & Phone Number

Cologne, Nrw, De

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

- Provide strategic advice on market entry and growth opportunities in the Middle East and Turkey.- Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to tailor offerings to regional market needs.- Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and potential clients in the Middle East and Turkey.- Develope and execute go-to-market strategies to increase SoSafe’s presence and market share in these regions.

Istanbul, Türkiye

- In my dual role as Executive Vice President and a key member of the Management Board, I led diverse teams in Information Security, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Cyber Defense Center, Enterprise Architecture, Process Management, Sustainability, and Strategic Planning- Initiated and developed all the departments from scratch, assembling and leading a team of approximately 50 professionals- Chaired the Risk, Information Security, Business and IT Continuity, Sustainability and Process Management Committees- Implemented and managed various information and cyber security infrastructures, processes and teams, recognized for excellence with an “ Best Security Team” award from Fireeye - Built and managed one of the first 24/7 Cyber Defense Center in Turkey- Developed and implemented comprehensive enterprise and IT resilience frameworks including cyber risk- Conceptualized and managed all Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) frameworks, processes and teams - Implemented and managed certification processes for ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO20000, ISO 14000 and ISO 31000 for the HQ and the biggest datacenter of Turkey (Anadolu Data Center) which offers services to the financial institutions- Desingned and managed the third party risk assurance frameworks and teams for all suppliers of the HQ and the datacenter- Coordinated all kinds of business and IT audit processes (regulatory authorities , Big Four, ISO, Pen Tests)- Conducted “Digital Transformation in Enterprise Processes Project” to transform all of the business processes from documents to the analyzable and measurable Business Process Management platform- Created an innovative operational Performance Measurement platform to assess the operational efficiency- Initiated and implemented an Objective and Key Results (OKR) based Corporate Strategic Management Program- Coordinated the finance sector events, bringing together the key decision-makers in information security and business resilience

Istanbul, Türkiye

Head of Information Security, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Cyber Defense Center and Process Management

Istanbul, Türkiye

Head of Enterprise Risk Management, Information Security and Process Management

Istanbul, Türkiye

Head of IT Security and Risk Management

Istanbul, Turkey

- Orchestrated the direction and expansion of PwC's IT Governance, Risk and Security services in RAS team. Actively led projects across diverse sectors, including Financial Services, Technology, Information, Communications and Entertainment and Consumer, Industrial Products & Services.- Championed an extensive range of IT disciplines, offering expert guidance in IT Security, Governance, Internal Control, Service Management, Risk Management, Audit, and Regulatory Compliance. This multifaceted approach positioned me as a key resource in aligning clients’ IT strategies with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.- Managed and executed an extensive portfolio of IT audit projects for local and international banks in Turkey (Deutsche Bank, Millennium BCP, Eurobank, NBG,İsbank etc.) focusing on enhancing IT governance and risk management frameworks amidst complex regulatory environments.- Spearheaded comprehensive compliance assessments and strategic implementations of critical IT frameworks and standards, including COBIT, ITIL, ISO27001, ISO22301,BS25999,ISAE3402 and Sarbanes-Oxley Act. My leadership in these domains ensured clients' seamless navigation through complex regulatory landscapes, enhancing their operational integrity and risk resilience.- Directed a team of skilled cybersecurity professionals in executing rigorous penetration tests, identifying vulnerabilities in clients' IT infrastructures and suggesting actionable remediation strategies- As a seasoned instructor, I led courses such as "COBIT Implementation," “Information Security Awareness and Audit,” and "IT General Controls and IT Audit." My role in education extended beyond teaching, shaping the professional development of numerous individuals in the ever-evolving realm of IT security and risk management.- Handled managerial duties encompassing business development, resource management, project planning, and team leadership, fostering a culture of learning and performance excellence.

New York, Usa

- Excelled in the specialized domain of SAP BW Finance module, demonstrating a profound expertise in financial reporting and analytics. This role was instrumental in significantly advancing clients' financial data processing and reporting frameworks, thereby enabling more insightful business decision-making.- Championed the development of functional specifications for comprehensive ERP system enhancements. This involved a meticulous focus on interfaces, customizations, and data conversions, all tailored to align precisely with diverse client business requirements and operational nuances.- Acted as a linchpin in orchestrating all facets of the ERP project lifecycle. My contributions spanned from initial analysis and conceptual design through to the robust development, rigorous testing, and strategic deployment of bespoke solutions. Post-implementation, I provided steadfast support and maintenance, ensuring seamless operation and continual alignment with evolving business needs.- Developed an extensive array of documentation, capturing intricate system processes and user guides. This initiative was complemented by my leadership in conducting focused end-user training sessions. These efforts were pivotal in guaranteeing a smooth transition to new systems, fostering user confidence, and ensuring sustained operational excellence through effective knowledge transfer.

Istanbul, Turkey

- Engaged in the compilation and analysis of financial data, contributing to the development of monthly financial reports, annual budgets, and periodic financial statements, as well as tailored ad hoc reports and financial presentations.- Conducted thorough reviews of client internal control frameworks and accounting systems, evaluating operational effectiveness and compliance.- Actively involved in the creation of detailed audit reports, offering insights and recommendations for enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of financial and operational control systems.- Performed documentation and analysis of key business processes, identifying and testing control measures related to various business risks.- Maintained proactive and efficient communication with senior auditors and managers, addressing client-related issues and contributing to the resolution process.

M.S, Management Information Systems

B.A, Economics

State University of New York

B.S, Economics

Istanbul

High School Diploma, Science

Istanbul