WHOIS …? Jake Curtis

WHOIS…? is a format in our tech blog where we present you the many faces of our tech community. These are the people, that work every day on our state-of-the-art technical solutions to make BurdaForward so unique.

What’s your name & what techie cliché is totally true for you? 

Hi, I’m Jake and the most cliché things that I’m guilty of is probably that my home office keyboard gets so loud that people think that I’m writing morse code… also, I deep down refuse to really acknowledge something as truly being “AI”, unless it wants to enslave humanity. 

What is your role at BurdaForward? 

Head of Information Security & Data Privacy 

What do you do as Head of Information Security & Data Privacy? 

As Head of Information Security & Data Privacy, I lead a team that serves as a one-stop shop for all information security and data privacy needs.  

What is the job of your team at BurdaForward? 

We act as internal consultants, ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR while providing efficient, risk-oriented solutions to protect the company and its assets. 

When & Why did you start to work in tech? 

I started an apprenticeship as “IT-Systemelektroniker” back in 2002. That was a fairly new type of job-education path at the time. At the time, I was fed up with school and decided to get a job after 10^th grade. Since I never really liked doing physical labor, but loved being on my PC(s) and creating stuff, I thought I’d give that path try ?.

What is your favorite part about working in tech? 

I love being in tech because it offers a front-row seat to the evolution of the very technologies that are reshaping our world. The constant innovation and discovery keep me inspired, allowing me to stay deeply connected to the foundational advancements that drive progress and influence how we live, work, and interact. 

What is your “tech superpower”? 

I enjoy the ability to dive deep and grasp concepts from the ground up when my curiosity drives me, while also maintaining the perspective needed to simplify and communicate those ideas effectively to a broader audience. Conversely, I can take abstract, high-level ideas and break them down into tangible details for those who need a closer look.

And how did you use it recently? (Maybe insights to a recent project) 

Basically, I have to use that skill everyday when working with less-technical colleagues 

What advice would you like to give techies out there? 

In tech, change is constant, but principles are not. Stay curious, stay ethical, and never stop learning—it’s the only way to stay ahead.  

Did you find any nice tool/software/technology/… recently that you would like to share? 

Sora – The first generative AI for Prompt-to-Video, that actually impressed me. I’ll probably be using it for some upcoming music videos for my band (https://openai.com/sora/ - requires non-EU virtual location to use it) 

Can we find out more about you on social platforms (LinkedIn, GitHub, Tech Blogs, Link to an article on our post…)? 

You should find my digital traces and (former) presences by googling “Jake Curtis Mainburg” (Mainburg being my hometown) ? 

Any famous last words? 

Every line of code, every system you design, leaves a legacy. Make sure it's one you'd be proud to inherit.