Understand complexity.
Master risks.
Shape success.
Making regulation manageable.
Processes and data built to last.
Digital strategy, data management and GRC consulting. A validated process and data foundation turns DORA, the EU AI Act, GDPR and NIS2 into one integrated project with added value.
OUR CLIENTS' TOP CHALLENGES
Where clarity is most urgently needed today
Four roles, four perspectives on the same question: how can regulation be made manageable without tying up day-to-day business? Choose the entry point that matches your situation.
C-level & management board
Using AI without conflicting goals
EU AI Act, value contribution, accountability
CIO, CISO & AI Officer
DORA, NIS2 & CRA under control
Secure architectures, incident response, ISO 27001
Audit & Internal Audit
Audit-proof evidence documentation
CMS, internal control system, internal audit
DPO & Head of IT
Data protection and sovereignty
GDPR, Data Act, digital sovereignty
Governance First, Growth Always.
Results that convince.
20+
years of experience in regulated and unregulated industries
5
areas of expertise in an integrated GRC ecosystem
10–20%
cost savings through efficiency gains
126+
anonymised engagements as references
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
One process foundation. Five areas of expertise.
Five areas of expertise, one approach. Choose your entry point — we take the interfaces into account.
DIGITAL STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION
Digital Strategy & Transformation — target vision and implementation from a single source
We combine digital strategy with governance — from the target vision and roadmap through to managed implementation.
- Digital strategy & target vision development
- Transformation roadmap & prioritisation
- Programme & implementation management
- Change management & organisational development
AI STRATEGY, DATA & GOVERNANCE
AI & Data Governance — compliant, responsible, scalable
We support AI initiatives along their entire life cycle — from the first idea to legally compliant, productive operation.
- AI governance framework & role model
- EU AI Act compliance & risk classification
- Data privacy & security by design
- Data management & data quality
- AI Officer as a service
CYBERSECURITY & IT GOVERNANCE
IT Governance & Cyber Security — DORA, NIS2 & CRA under control
From maturity assessment to resilient operation: we embed security in your organisational structure and processes.
- DORA, NIS2 & CRA compliance
- Security operations & incident response
- IT risk assessments & third-party risks
- ISO 27001 certification & SOC 2 Type II
RISK & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Risk & Compliance Management — audit-proof and effective
We build control and compliance systems that pass the audit and work in everyday practice.
- Enterprise risk management
- Regulatory compliance (EU)
- Compliance management systems & ICS
- Internal audit, audit & assurance
ESG & SUSTAINABLE GOVERNANCE
ESG & Sustainable Governance — reporting you can rely on
From the data foundation to audit-ready reporting — sustainability as a leadership responsibility.
- ESG reporting & standards
- CSRD sustainability documentation
- Corporate governance optimisation
- Sustainable supply chain due diligence
CHALLENGE · SOLUTION · ADDED VALUE
Governance as a competitive advantage.
Not as an obstacle.
YOUR CHALLENGE
Complex governance requirements that partly overlap or even contradict each other — without dedicated full-time experts in-house.
OUR SOLUTION
Consulting and implementation expertise from a single source: AI-hybrid approaches, proven process models, a clear methodology.
YOUR ADDED VALUE
Relief for your resources, regulatory certainty and a sparring partner on an equal footing for your decisions.
YOUR BENEFITS
The difference you notice from day one
Eight points that make a noticeable difference in your day-to-day project work — from relieving your team to field-tested solutions.
RELIEF FOR YOUR OWN RESOURCES
We take on the operational workload so that your team can focus on the core business.
EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION
Clear methodology and tight project management from the idea to go-live.
SPARRING PARTNER ON AN EQUAL FOOTING
Experienced consultants as a critical, constructive sparring partner for your decisions.
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
A deep understanding of your industry and its regulatory specifics.
BEST PRACTICES
Established process models and use cases from a large number of comparable engagements.
AI-HYBRID APPROACHES
Developed in line with regulatory requirements, AI-supported and legally sound.
READY-TO-USE SOLUTIONS
Simple solutions that have already proven themselves in live operation.
OUR EXTENSIVE PARTNER NETWORK
An interdisciplinary network of partners and consultants available at short notice — including affiliate partnerships for complementary solutions.
METHODOLOGY
Our approach: from concept to implementation in 5 phases
An approach that begins strategically and ends in smooth operation: without loss at the interfaces and without regulatory breaches between consulting and implementation.
01
Assessment
Process analysis & roadmap, maturity level, gap analysis and regulatory applicability.
02
Target vision
Governance target vision, roles, responsibilities, roadmap.
03
Framework
Policies, controls and evidence — documented to audit standard.
04
Implementation
Implementation in processes, systems and the organisation.
05
Operation & audit
Effectiveness testing, audit support, continuous improvement.
THEN THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN
After phase 05 we return to phase 01: regular re-assessments keep your governance system up to date and audit-ready at all times.
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE & REFERENCES
Governance First: consulting that delivers results
A selection of anonymised cross-industry projects and engagements.
Financial services
Banks, insurers, FinTechs
Technology & Software
ICT, cloud, AI companies
Energy & Utilities
Energy suppliers, municipal utilities
Automotive & Manufacturing
OEMs, suppliers, Industry 4.0
Public Sector
Public authorities, municipalities, NGOs
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Pharma, MedTech, hospitals
ALLIANCES & PARTNER NETWORK
Stronger together:
Interdisciplinary. Complementary. Available at short notice.
Through our carefully selected, well-established network of partners and consultants, we fill every role with the person who has a proven professional command of the subject. Legal, technical and process expertise mesh together in the way that has been tried and tested in joint engagements for years. Without loss at the interface to implementation.
OUR GROUP OF COMPANIES
Governance First is the digital governance brand of the Questax Group, with access to its sales, project and technology teams.
LAW FIRMS
Law firm partners
Legal advice in data protection, IT and corporate law for robust answers to contractual and liability questions.
CONSULTING FIRMS
Cloud & AI platform partners
Technology and data management consulting: implementing secure data, cloud and AI architectures in production environments.
Benefit from our partner network. Get in touch with us.
COLLABORATION MODELS
Our collaboration models
To fill an open role or function in your organisation, as a partner company in our network or as a colleague in our team.
- DELIVERY MODELS
Governance expertise on demand
Scalable from individual hours to 360° consulting — as a mandated function in your organisation, tailored to your needs and without fixed-cost risk. You book exactly the expertise and scope that your governance challenges require.
- AI Officer as a service
- CISO as a service
- DPO as a service
- GRC as a service
- Project management
- Hybrid consulting
First arrange a no-obligation initial consultation, after which you will receive a proposal within five working days.
- PARTNERSHIP
Become a partner company
We work within an established network of law firms, auditors, technology providers and specialist consultancies.
Send us your profile, area of expertise and reference situations; we will get back to you within five working days to arrange an exploratory meeting.
Opens a pre-structured email with the relevant key details.
- CAREERS & OTHER COLLABORATION
Vacancies and talent pool for GRC experts
We are growing and are always actively looking for GRC experts. Send us your CV to start a conversation; we will only contact you about suitable positions.
Opens a pre-structured email that you can use to introduce yourself.
- COMMISSION BUSINESS
Affiliate partnership
You recommend us to your network and/or integrate our tools and offerings into your portfolio. Benefit from passive referral business without having to deliver services yourself.
Opens a pre-structured email that you can use to introduce yourself without obligation.
ABOUT US
Who is behind Governance First
Digital governance consulting by Questax Systems GmbH in Heidelberg. Senior consulting by people who have been responsible for governance themselves — no junior team, no standard presentation. C-level/executive consulting as well as consulting tailored to the needs of the organisation.
CONTACT
Let's talk
Do you have questions about our areas of expertise or would you like to arrange an initial consultation? Use our contact form.
BROCHURE · PDF (GERMAN) · 18.5 MB · AS OF 09/2026
GRC consulting portfolio
Our brochure covering all five areas of expertise, the process model, the delivery models, references and contacts — the complete portfolio at a glance.
No registration required — downloads our current company presentation directly as a PDF (in German).
Your contacts
Behind your contacts stands a team of experienced experts from a range of disciplines: digital strategy, information security, data protection, audit, technology, and project and process management. Depending on the task, we put together the right team for your engagement.
Ali Kenan Nohut, LL.M.
Director Digital Strategy & Governance
Cert. AI Officer · Cert. Data Protection Officer · Cert. Compliance Officer
Edith Hillebrand-Edwards, B.A. Business Administration
Senior Manager Digital Strategy & Transformation
Scrum Master II · Product Owner II · Cert. AI Analyst & Consultant · Process Analyst Celonis · Senior Project Manager · Controller
EXPERT ARTICLES & DOWNLOADS
Expert knowledge on the EU AI Act, DORA & NIS2
Expert articles and white papers by our governance experts: concrete implementation steps instead of theory.
EXPERT ARTICLE · 6 MIN
EU AI Act: the five obligations that matter now
What companies must have documented by the time the Act becomes fully applicable.
EXPERT ARTICLE · 8 MIN
NIS2 and management liability
Why cybersecurity is now firmly on the board agenda.
EXPERT ARTICLE · 5 MIN
AI Officer as a service: when it pays off
A sober look at roles, costs and effectiveness.
DOWNLOAD
GRC consulting portfolio
Our brochure with all areas of expertise, delivery models and references.
USEFUL LINKS
Guidelines, requirements, guidance, standards
The official primary sources of the EU institutions and the competent supervisory authorities — without any claim to completeness.
All of the following links lead to third-party websites and open in a new window; you leave our site at your own risk. The respective provider is solely responsible for the content and data protection of the linked sites — the version published there is always binding.
EUR-Lex
Official Journal of the EU — legally binding, consolidated versions of all EU legal acts.
European Commission
AI regulatory framework — guidelines, implementing acts and timeline for the AI Act.
BSI
German Federal Office for Information Security — NIS2 reporting, IT-Grundschutz.
BaFin
German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority — requirements on DORA, ICT risk management.
ENISA
EU Agency for Cybersecurity — guidelines on NIS2, Cyber Resilience Act.
EDPB
European Data Protection Board — binding interpretation of the GDPR.
BfDI
German Federal Commissioner for Data Protection — guidance on data protection and the use of AI.
EFRAG
Standard setter for the ESRS — CSRD standards developed on behalf of the European Commission.
Official sources only: EU institutions, EU agencies and competent German federal authorities. The version published in the Official Journal is always binding.
GOVERNANCE BRIEFING
Subscribe to the free Governance First
email briefing
Once a month: deadlines, analysis and practical examples on the AI Act, DORA, NIS2 and CSRD. No marketing, GDPR-compliant — maximum expert input.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Anything left unanswered? Write to us — we reply within two working days.
How quickly can you start?
Usually within two to three weeks. Through our network of partners and consultants, we can also put together interdisciplinary teams at short notice.
Do you only advise — or do you also implement?
Both. We think and act along the entire value chain: strategic advice and operational implementation, without loss at the interfaces.
What does “as a service” mean in practice?
You book a role — AI Officer, CISO, DPO or GRC — to the extent you need: from individual hours per month to full support, without fixed-cost risk.
Do you work with our existing frameworks?
Yes. We build on what you already have — ISO 27001, COBIT, internal control systems — and only add where gaps exist.
How do you handle our data?
Data protection is our core business: processing in accordance with the GDPR, hosting in the EU.
What company sizes do you work for?
From upper mid-sized companies to large groups — with particular experience in banking and insurance, energy supply, automotive and consumer goods.
Which areas of expertise do you cover?
Five areas of expertise from a single source: AI & Data Governance, IT Governance & Cyber Security, Risk & Compliance, ESG & Sustainable Governance and Digital Strategy & Transformation — freely combinable, without loss at the interfaces.
CONTACT
Let's talk.
30 minutes, free of charge and without obligation: we assess your regulatory starting position and show you where the greatest leverage lies. Let us know your priorities in advance, and we will talk about your topics from the very first moment.
Understand complexity.
Master risks.
Shape success.
Governance First is a brand of Questax Systems GmbH.
