IMIE

What IMIE does

Guardia Cybersecurity School, operating under Quest Education Group, is a French private higher education institution founded in 2022 and positioned as the first 360° cybersecurity school in France. It delivers 18 RNCP-recognized training programs (Levels 6 and 7) spanning post-bac Bachelor degrees, MSc/Mastère specializations, professional continuing education, and youth internships (ages 14–18), organized across two main tracks — technical expertise (DevSecOps, Pentest, ISR/Reverse Engineering, GRC) and international management (governance, compliance, threat intelligence). The curriculum is built on a proprietary "Active Learning" pedagogy with 100% project-based delivery, 15+ supervised projects per year, and instruction by active cybersecurity professionals.

The school operates three physical campuses (Paris-La Défense, Lyon hypercentre, Bordeaux) plus an online campus, totaling 6,500m² of facilities, and serves high school graduates, bac+3 holders seeking specialization, and working professionals pursuing career transitions or upskilling. Revenue is generated primarily through annual tuition fees for degree programs, with the alternance (work-study) model from Year 3 onward enabling partner companies to sponsor tuition while students earn salaries, and professional programs are eligible for CPF and France Travail public funding.

Its go-to-market combines direct enrollment via open houses and information sessions, content marketing through a dedicated newsroom and "Le Lab" research platform, social media presence across TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, and partnerships with major French media and cybersecurity content creators. The school is supported by an ecosystem of 100+ corporate and institutional partners including Microsoft France, Atos/Eviden, Devoteam, Sopra Steria, CGI, Airbus, SNCF, ENGIE, Cisco, Exclusive Networks, Stormshield, Squad, Metsys, ComCyberGend, and the French Ministry of Armed Forces, providing mentors, alternance placements, and recruitment pathways for graduates.

Name

IMIE

Legal name

Guardia Cybersecurity School

Website

https://imie-ecole-informatique.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Guardia Cybersecurity School is a French private higher education institution operating under Quest Education Group, delivering 18 RNCP-recognized cybersecurity training programs (Bachelor through MSc) across campuses in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and online. It serves high school graduates, bac+3 holders, and career-transitioning professionals, combining project-based pedagogy with a 100+ partner employer ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Cybersecurity)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity Certifications (EDAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Information Security, Privacy & IT Governance (CISSP CPE, Privacy CE) (EDAAALAL), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity education
• Computer science training
• Professional certification programs
• Higher education degrees
• Alternance work-study programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rezé

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees for degree programs: Revenue generated from student tuition for Bachelor and MSc/Mastère programs in cybersecurity. Programs are available via alternance (work-study) where company sponsors tuition and student receives salary, reducing net cost to student.
2. Professional continuing education: Revenue from upskilling and career transition programs for professionals, eligible for CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) and France Travail funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IMIE offers higher education programs in cybersecurity and computer science, from post-Baccalaureate (Bachelor) through Bac+5 (Master's/Mastère) levels, with RNCP-certified titles recognized by the French state. Programs are delivered across multiple French campuses and an online option, combining a project-based Active Learning pedagogy with alternance (work-study) placements. The school also provides professional retraining/continuing education programs eligible for CPF funding and an internship program for students aged 14-18.

Product overview

Guardia Cybersecurity School is a private higher education institution offering 18 cybersecurity training programs across two main tracks: a technical expertise track (post-Bac pathway) and an international management track. The technical track includes the Bachelor Cybersécurité (3-year undergraduate), followed by three specialized Master's programs (Mastère) covering offensive/defensive cybersecurity with AI, cloud infrastructure security, and IoT security. The international track offers the Bachelor Chef de Projet Cybersécurité and two MSc programs in governance/compliance and threat intelligence. Additional programs include Responsible Green IT and threat intelligence experts. The school also offers professional development and retraining programs (9 formations), and youth internship programs. All programs follow an active learning pedagogy with 100% project-based work, real-world case studies, and professional mentorship. Programs lead to RNCP Level 6 (Bac+3) and Level 7 (Bac+5) certified titles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Cybersécurité A 3-year undergraduate cybersecurity program (post-Bac) training professionals in cybersecurity fundamentals, with Year 3 specialization options including DevSecOps & Pentest, ISR Security & Reverse Engineering, and Governance, Risks & Compliance. Includes an alternance (work-study) option in Year 3.
• Mastère Expert Cybersécurité - Données, réseaux et systèmes A 2-year Master's program (post Bac+3) focusing on offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies powered by AI, training experts who understand cybersecurity across technological, strategic, organizational, human, and geopolitical dimensions.
• Mastère Expert Sécurité des Systèmes, Réseaux et Infrastructures Cloud A 2-year Master's program (post Bac+3) specializing in securing networks and sovereign cloud infrastructures.
• Mastère Architecte IoT et Sécurité des Systèmes Connectés A 2-year Master's program (post Bac+3) specializing in the design and security of connected objects and intelligent ecosystems.
• Bachelor Chef de Projet Cybersécurité An international-track Bachelor's program training bilingual, analytical, and operational profiles capable of decision-making and leadership in complex international contexts, with governance & compliance or intelligence & research tracks.
• MSc Manager Gouvernance & Conformité A Master's program (post Bac+3) training consultants in strategy, governance, and compliance cybersecurity domains.
• MSc Manager en Renseignement & Analyse de la Menace A Master's program (post Bac+3) training professionals in threat intelligence analysis and open-source intelligence (OSINT) research.
• Responsable Green IT A training program developing strategic actors for sustainable digital transition, focusing on eco-responsible design, implementation, and governance of digital systems.
• Expert en renseignement et investigation sur les cybermenaces An advanced program training professionals to lead threat intelligence, organize secure investigations on cyber threats, analyze sources in constrained contexts, and propose solutions to identify threats and anticipate cyberattacks.
• Formations Professionnelles Professional development and retraining programs for working professionals seeking to upskill or transition into cybersecurity careers, comprising 9 formations adapted to various cybersecurity proficiency levels and eligible for CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) and France Travail funding.
• Stages 14-18 ans Internship program welcoming 100+ students annually from 3rd grade through Terminale to discover cybersecurity pedagogy and follow team operations, including practical internship opportunities during school holidays.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 900 students trained in cybersecurity since school inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• ComCyberGend (Commandement Cyberdéfense de la Gendarmerie)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Government body under Ministry of Interior created in February 2021. Mission to coordinate, strengthen, and make visible cyber capabilities of the French Gendarmerie in prevention, training, and investigations. Strategic partner for state-level cybersecurity education.
• Exclusive NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal specialist in cybersecurity for digital infrastructure. Supports student Nicolas Grondin via alternance as Junior Cybersecurity Engineer. Provides industry perspective and recruitment pathway for students.
• CGIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's largest independent IT and business consulting firms with 84,000 consultants worldwide. Provides recruitment and alternance opportunities for graduates such as Sébastien Andlauer as Cybersecurity Analyst.
• Sopra SteriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor European Tech company with 50,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, generating €5.1 billion revenue in 2022. Leading consulting, digital services, and software publisher helping clients with digital transformation.
• SquadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench cybersecurity leader helping large organizations protect their assets according to NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Active in student mentorship and recruitment.
• StormshieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean cybersecurity technology provider certified at highest European level for IT and OT security. Protects critical infrastructure, sensitive data, and operational environments.
• MetsyscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybersecurity and infrastructure integrator with €70 million revenue in 2023 and 500 employees across 11 French cities including Paris, Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Strasbourg.
• DevoteamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital transformation consultancy. Mentor Nicolas Besse serves as Senior Pentester providing industry expertise and guidance to students.
• SNCF (Groupe SNCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrance's national railway company. Mentor Cyril Cappi leads cybersecurity research program with 25+ years of experience securing railway infrastructure, focusing on AI applications.
• Atos / EvidencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal digital transform leader. Mentor Pascal Nahon directs the region for Atos Digital Security, piloting teams serving enterprise clients.
• Microsoft FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology giant. Mentor Arnaud Jumelet serves as National Security Officer providing enterprise perspective on cybersecurity.
• EDEN ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association of SMEs/ETIs in defense, security, and safety. Advisor Philippe Guimbert (General) provides defense and security counsel, initiator of CyberAix annual meetings.
• Ministère des Armées (Ministry of Armed Forces)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced May 6, 2026 for excellence supporting student futures. Strategic government partnership for defense-related cybersecurity training.
• iOsint / OZINTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSINT research company founded by Julien Metayer in March 2022 focused on open source intelligence. Mentor provides expertise in intelligence and threat analysis.
• Quest Education GroupflagshipOthersParent education group founded by Valérie Dmitrovic. Comprises multiple schools including Gaming Campus. Provides institutional support and development framework for Guardia CS.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace and defense company with cybersecurity interests. Listed as company partner supporting student recruitment and projects.
• ENGIEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French energy company with cybersecurity needs. Listed as company partner for student opportunities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EPITA: French Grande École engineering school focused on computer science, with dedicated cybersecurity tracks (EPITA Cyber). Targets the same post-Bac and Bac+3 student segments seeking cybersecurity careers and competes for the same enterprise recruiter relationships.
• CESI: Major French engineering school network with 25+ campuses, offering cybersecurity specializations and alternance programs. Directly comparable on alternance model, RNCP-certified credentials, and enterprise-sponsorship economics.
• ENI École Informatique: French IT training school offering professional certification and degree programs with strong cybersecurity curriculum. Operates with similar tuition + professional continuing education revenue mix and competes for both student and professional upskiller segments.
• ESGI: French private IT higher education school offering Bachelor's and Master's programs, with cybersecurity specializations. Competes in the same Paris/regional French market for post-Bac students entering cybersecurity careers.
• EPITECH: French private higher education school specializing in IT, with campuses across France. Offers cybersecurity specializations within broader IT degree programs and competes directly for the same French Bac+3/Bac+5 cybersecurity student cohort as Guardia CS.
• Supinfo (now SUPSI / renamed entities): French IT higher education institution offering Bachelor's and Master's level programs including cybersecurity, with multi-city campus presence. Competes for similar student personas and enterprise alternance partnerships.

Others

• IMIE (parent-organization sibling school): French IT school operating in western France (Nantes, Angers, Rennes, Laval, Le Mans) — appears to be a sibling institution under Quest Education Group or a historical predecessor identity. Comparable on IT/computer science higher education offerings within the same corporate family.

Emerging players

• Le Wagon: International coding and data bootcamp with strong French presence. Comparable on intensive project-based pedagogy and professional reskilling value proposition, though focused on software development rather than cybersecurity.
• Wild Code School: French web development and cybersecurity bootcamp operator with multi-city campus presence and corporate upskilling programs. Comparable on short-format, project-based pedagogy and professional retraining segment.

Broad incumbents

• 42 (École 42): Free peer-to-peer programming school founded by Xavier Niel with multiple French campuses. Competes indirectly for the same Bac-level student pool entering tech careers, though 42 lacks cybersecurity specialization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ecoleimie
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYpp2eA_UFhKN2z6fMbbLrw
• Facebookfacebook.com/imie.it
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imie---institut-de-la-fili-re-num-rique
• Instagraminstagram.com/guardia_school
• TikToktiktok.com/@guardia_school

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IMIE