Max Röttgermann at Deutsche Telekom

Routing the Future of Cyber Defence: A Conversation with Max Röttgermann of Deutsche Telekom

In this episode of the Route to Networking podcast, Ben Davies is joined by Max Röttgermann, Senior Product Manager for IP Transit & DDoS Defense at Deutsche Telekom, for a fascinating deep dive into career growth, network resilience, and the ever-evolving threat landscape of the digital age.

With nearly 25 years at Deutsche Telekom, Max brings a rare combination of hands-on experience, product strategy, and deep technical insight. His career path, from running cables at trade shows to building one of the largest DDoS mitigation platforms in the world, is anything but ordinary.

From CB Radios to Cybersecurity

Max’s passion for telecommunications started early at age 13, to be exact, with a CB radio and a fascination for how signals travelled through the air.

“I got my first mobile phone at 15. Back then, it was rare, only CEOs or people pretending to be important had one in class!”

This early curiosity led Max to a hybrid path of on-the-job training and part-time study. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working full-time, giving him a unique edge in applying academic knowledge in real-world settings.

“When you study and work simultaneously, you remember things better. One week I’d learn SWOT analysis in class, the next I’d use it at work.”

Early Career & Hands-On Learning

Max joined Deutsche Telekom through a vocational training programme and quickly found himself supporting telecom infrastructure at international trade shows. It was here that he learned the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and customer-centric problem solving.

“We were a mini telecoms provider - running phone lines, internet connections, even renting out fax machines. It taught me the full breadth of the business.”

His exposure to international clients from all over the world sparked a desire to work in a truly global environment, leading him to pursue a role in the international wholesale division, where he found his niche in IP transit and peering.

Building a Defence Against the Invisible Threat

As cyber-attacks became more common, Deutsche Telekom began building internal tools to protect its own infrastructure. Max recognised the opportunity to turn those capabilities into a customer-facing product.

“We had a great internal platform for DDoS mitigation. The idea was: why not offer it to our customers too?”

What followed was years of iterative development, go-to-market planning, and cross-functional collaboration. The result? One of the most scalable DDoS defence offerings on the market today.

“At first, it was a small business case. But we exceeded expectations many times over.”

Facing a Changing Threat Landscape

Max breaks down how DDoS threats have shifted: attacks are now shorter, more frequent, and often more sophisticated. This poses unique challenges for providers and customers alike, especially in hybrid and remote-first environments.

“In the past, attacks were bigger and longer. Now, they’re shorter and more targeted, and customer infrastructure is more complex.”

He also talks about how AI is becoming a critical tool in both detecting and mitigating attacks.

“With machine learning, we can analyse large volumes of noisy traffic, identify proxy bots, and apply more precise countermeasures.”

Advice for the Next Generation

For anyone looking to break into the industry, Max’s advice is clear and valuable:

• Understand the fundamentals. Know how the internet works - not just why, but how.
• Stay curious. Read, listen, and learn - not just from your field but from adjacent industries.
• Balance technical with business. The best professionals understand the ROI behind what they build.

“The cloud is just someone else’s computer. Understanding that helps you make smarter decisions - both technically and commercially.”

Quick-Fire Round

To wrap up, Max took on our quick-fire round, sharing his thoughts on:

• The most underrated skill in the industry
• His favourite leadership style
• What he enjoys most about his job
• Who inspires him in the tech world

If you're curious about how the telecoms industry is adapting to modern security challenges or you want to hear how one of Europe’s biggest carriers develops future-ready infrastructure, this episode is one to bookmark.

🎧 Listen now and connect with Max on LinkedIn: Max Röttgermann