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On 1 October 2025, Tillmann Keber took office as the new Executive Director of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA). He was selected by the Agency’s Management Board on 18 June 2025.
Commenting on the new leadership, Rene Vihalem, Chair of the eu-LISA Management Board, said:
The Management Board based its decision to nominate Tillmann Keber as the new Executive Director of eu-LISA on merit, proven experience in the management of large-scale IT systems, strong administrative and leadership skills, and in-depth knowledge in the field of data protection. Mr Keber brings more than two decades of professional expertise, combining leadership in law enforcement, hands-on knowledge of police information systems, and a solid academic background in law. We are confident that under his leadership, the Agency will continue to build on its strong track record and deliver even greater value to the EU and its citizens.
Mr Keber emphasised:
It is a great honour and responsibility for me to take the helm of eu-LISA at this pivotal moment. The Agency is entering a decisive phase, with the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the ongoing preparations for the EURODAC roll-out next year. These milestones are not only crucial for eu-LISA, but also for the European Commission, the Member States and, above all, the citizens of Europe.
eu-LISA’s role is fundamental in strengthening freedom, security and justice within the Union by providing modern and resilient information systems that meet the needs of citizens in a safe and trusted Europe. As Executive Director, I will ensure that the Agency continues to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions, foster close cooperation with our partners, and invest in the expertise and innovation required to meet future challenges. Together, we will build on the Agency’s achievements and further reinforce Europe’s digital backbone.
Before joining eu-LISA, he served as Head of Division for Police Information Systems in the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, where he oversaw national police IT systems, police data exchanges and the legislative implementation of several EU-wide systems, including SIS and Eurodac. Earlier, he held senior roles at the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt, BKA), gaining extensive experience in international cooperation, IT management and strategic planning. Trained as a lawyer, his early career also included legal and administrative functions.
In addition to his new responsibilities as Executive Director, Mr Keber has been an active contributor to eu-LISA’s work for several years, representing Germany on the Agency’s Management Board.
About eu-LISA’s Governance
eu-LISA’s governance structure consists of a Management Board, an Executive Director and Advisory Groups. The Management Board is composed of representatives of EU Member States, Schengen Associated Countries and the European Commission. Eurojust, Europol, Frontex and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) also participate. The Board ensures that the Agency delivers on its mandate effectively and efficiently. Advisory Groups, composed of experts from across the EU, provide technical expertise and guidance on the evolution of the Agency’s systems.
The Agency currently employs around 393 staff across its headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, its operational site in Strasbourg, France, its business continuity site in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria, and its Liaison Office in Brussels, Belgium.
Background on eu-LISA
Established in 2011, eu-LISA provides the long-term operational management of large-scale IT systems in the fields of asylum, migration, border management, and internal security. Since the entry into force of its revised Regulation in December 2018, the Agency’s mandate has expanded to include research, innovation, testing, and the development of new solutions to strengthen Europe’s area of freedom, security and justice.
eu-LISA currently manages the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Visa Information System (VIS) and the European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database (Eurodac) – systems that are essential for the functioning of the Schengen Area. In addition, the Agency is rolling out and developing the Entry/Exit System (EES), the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), the European Criminal Records Information System for Third-Country Nationals (ECRIS-TCN), as well as the interoperability architecture that will connect these systems.
Most recently, the Agency has taken over responsibility for e-CODEX, a decentralised system enabling secure cross-border judicial data exchange, an important step towards the further digitalisation of Europe’s justice domain.
