“Cyberplace is not just a building, it is a concrete answer to cyber security challenges”, stated Clara Chappaz, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital, November 18 in Cesson-Sévigné (Ille et Vilaine), during the inauguration of the first building of the “Cybernetic Alliance”. It is built according to cyber security standards and is completely dedicated to players in this strategic sector.
Located in the Via Silva Concerted Development Zone, Cyberplace covers more than 1,200 m². 170 m² are offices that meet the standards of “confidential defense”, thus meeting the strictest security requirements.
A tour led by Paul-André Pincemin, delegate for cyber security and military restructuring at Rennes Ville & Métropole, revealed this unique space fostering synergies between public, private, industrial, academic, civil and military actors. “Our investments serve to accelerate our excellence in cyber security and artificial intelligence to protect our businesses, our European models and values“, emphasized Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Regional Council of Brittany.
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A unique ecosystem serving European cyber security
The Cyberplace welcomes Cykred, an incubator dedicated to cybersecurity startups whose name reflects its Breton roots, “sekred” meaning “secret” in Breton. The first inhabitants included Daspren and Chapsvision and many others. Fast-growing companies like Glimps, the result of Poool x French Tech Rennes Saint-Malo backing, are also in the walls. Wallix has just offered great offices to 40 employees to develop their R&D.
DGA’s Cyberdefense Factory, which has already supported nine top startups, is also present and provides support to young startups to support the emergence of new civil and military solutions. The Cyber Center of Excellence (PEC) and Poool x French Tech Rennes Saint-Malo are also on site, supporting business development and strategic collaboration.
Investment of 26 million euros
Cyberplace represents a total investment of €26 million tax-free, demonstrating the commitment of public and private entities to strengthen the cybersecurity sector in Brittany. “With the opening of Cyberplace, an accelerator of industrial innovation, today our territory, historically associated with cyber security, is becoming a stronghold in France and Europe, rejoiced Nathalie Appéré, mayor of Rennes and president of Rennes Métropole. By installing Cykred, the eighth metropolitan business incubator equipped with confidential defense spaces, we wanted to respond to the growing need of cyber security players facing the challenge of data security. It is a place of infusion, creation that supports work between different spheres of the digital and cyber sector, whether military, industrial or academic.”
Thanks to this state-of-the-art infrastructure, Brittany is consolidating its position as the main region for cyber security and AI in Europe.