Profile
Over 20 years of experience in the internet environment as architect and technical manager in various roles. More than 15 years of experience as Board member in various companies and associations.
• Managing international divers and distributed teams
• Experience with managing operational and engineering teams for global IP Networks
• Leading the hard and software engineering teams for servers and network equipment
• Defining and executing AKAMAI’s Technology vision and future
• Extensive experience in founding, operating and governing Internet Exchanges
• Regular speaker on international conferences, IX meetings and Universities
• Extensive experience in leading and governing boards and organisations
Professional
AKAMAI Technologies, Munich – August 2008 – present
Vice President Technology
• Heading the Technology Department (200+ people) including: Network Architecture, Network Engineering, Datacentre Architecture and Hardware Architecture for Akamai.
• Defining and executing AKAMAI’s Technology vision
• Representation of AKAMAI at international industry conferences
• Technical representation towards Regulators, Internet Governance, etc.
TeliaSonera International Carriers, London – June 2007 – July 2008
Global IP Peering Manager
• Managing the technical peering (IPv4, IPv6, multicast and GRX) of AS1299
• Providing strategic advice and training to the sales and product management departments
• Managing the relationship to peer and customer network representatives on a global scale
• Representing TeliaSonera at international conferences (Nanog, Ripe, Global Peering Forum, etc)
• Optimising the capacity management and process for peering
• Engineering projects: IPv6 rollout, IP Netflow based billing system
Easynet (BskyB Group), London – October 2006 – May 2007
GNOC Manager
• Building up a complete new GNOC (Global Network Operation Centre)
• Operating the global Easynet backbone and all local Easynet network interconnects including peering, transit and MPLS NNIs
• Member of the peering committee and a technical peering contact point for Easynet (AS4589).
• Contact person for vendors and suppliers I held service reviews and tracked our RMAs on a regular base customers and partners
Cable and Wireless Telecommunication Services, Munich, August 2001 – September 2006
Technical Operations Manager
• Managing the Tech Ops department including the NOC, 3rd Lvl Support, Network Security, IP Admin and DNS Team
• Member of the C&W Global Peering Committee and the technical contact for peering
• Representing C&W at NANOG, RIPE or Peering Forums
• Leader of the INXS (the oldest IX in Germany) Planning/Operations Team
Board Positions
ICANN, Los Angeles
Board Member – September 2022 – Present
http://www.icann.org/
RIPE NCC, Amsterdam
Executive Board Member – Chairman (since 2018), May 2011 – May 2023
http://www.ripe.net/
France-IX, Paris
President of the Board, Oct 2016 – January 20222
Co-Founder
https://www.franceix.net/
Amsterdam Internet Exchange,
Amsterdam Executive Board Member – Chairman (2010 – 2013), Dec 2007 – Nov 2013
http://www.ams-ix.net/
Skills
Languages
• German Native language
• English Fluent
Certifications
• 04/2014 Master of Science in Advanced Networking
• 11/2007 Juniper Networks Certified Internet Expert (JNCIE #292)
• 08/2004 Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE #13780)
Last modified on January 2nd, 2025 at 10:56
I have worked with Christian these last years as a member of the ICANN Board and all I can say is that he is an asset to the ICANN Board.
Christian’s professionalism and insights enrich our discussions and deliberations in a refreshing way. His knowledge of the numbers community and his commitment to it has helped bridge the gap that seemed to exist in the past years between the names and the numbers communities.
His ethics are the highest and his willingness and availability to always collaborate and help others is one thing I most appreciate in him.
I fully endorse his work as a Board member and truly hope he is reappointed for another term as the value he brings to the ICANN Board is very high.
Leon Felipe Sanchez Ambia
ICANN Board Director
As Chair of the APNIC Executive Council, I am pleased to express my strong support for Christian Kaufmann’s re-election to the ICANN Board.
Christian’s three years on the ICANN Board have been marked by his outstanding leadership and commitment to bridging the number resource and domain name communities. His ability to foster collaboration and constructive dialogue among diverse stakeholders has been invaluable.
As the former Chair of RIPE NCC, my counterpart in Europe, Christian brings a wealth of experience in global Internet governance. His proven track record of integrity, strategic insight, and effective leadership has made him a respected figure within our community.
Re-electing Christian would provide continuity and an opportunity to build on the significant progress achieved under his stewardship. His vision and dedication make him uniquely qualified to continue serving ICANN and the global Internet community.
I wholeheartedly endorse Christian Kaufmann’s candidacy and encourage others to support this capable and trusted leader.
Sincerely,
Kenny Huang
Chair, APNIC Executive Council
I have known Christian for many years and experienced him as a member of the RIPE NCC board. He did an excellent job as chair of this board for many years. Christian has a broad background, especially in the business world and the technical community. In particular his knowledge of ASO related topics (IP addresses, RIRs, network operations) are very valuable and useful to have on the ICANN Board. I also appreciate his involvement as a liaison to the ASO AC and would strongly recommend him for another term on the ICANN Board.
I’ve worked with Christian in the RIPE NCC board. His professionalism and his way of working make him a very suitable candidate. Apart of that he has a wide background experience in the internet field. I can highly recommend him for this position.
I have known Christian for more than 15 years and it’s my pleasure to nominate him for the ICANN Board position.
Christian has strong in-depth knowledge on how Internet works, this includes understanding on underlying building blocks from different aspects, e.g. technical, policy, economics, governance, relationships etc.
He could always make smart decisions to solve issues at global and all-round levels, as he has solid experience in various Internet communities positions.
I would strongly recommend him as he is passionate for building a better Internet.
Kams Yeung, Executive Council members of APNIC