Guardia Cybersecurity School

What Guardia Cybersecurity School does

Guardia Cybersecurity School is a private higher education institution founded in 2021 and operated by Quest Education Group (SAS, RCS Lyon 837 670 231), headquartered in Puteaux, Île-de-France. It is the first French higher-education institution dedicated exclusively to cybersecurity, offering 18 programs spanning from bac (high school diploma) to bac+5 (master's level) across two tracks: a Technical Expertise Track (Bachelor Cybersécurité plus three Mastères in offensive/defensive cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure security, and IoT security) and an International Management Track (Bachelor Chef de Projet Cybersécurité plus MSc programs in governance/compliance and threat intelligence). The school also offers nine professional training programs for working professionals and career changers, with CPF and France Travail funding eligibility.

The school's core technology is its proprietary "Active Learning" pedagogy — a 100% project-based methodology in which students complete approximately 15 industry-led projects per year, presented to juries, with content delivered exclusively by active cybersecurity practitioners. Physical delivery relies on three campuses (Paris La Défense, Lyon 7th arrondissement, Bordeaux) totaling 6,500 m² with nearly 400 HP OMEN workstations, 12 computer labs, two esports arenas, a TV studio, and streaming rooms. A complementary online learning platform allows distance access. All programs are state-certified at RNCP Level 6 or 7, and the school holds Qualiopi certification (valid through January 4, 2028).

Guardia generates revenue through multiple streams: direct tuition for Bachelor (€9,400–€9,800/year) and management-track MSc programs (€11,150–€11,300/year), apprenticeship-funded technical Mastères (€0 student cost, €10,800/year paid by companies via OPCO), and professional short courses priced €1,600–€6,900. The apprenticeship model aligns the school with French vocational funding and creates an enterprise-revenue channel that scales with employer demand. Distribution is direct-to-consumer (open houses, online applications, campus visits) plus an enterprise partnership channel of 100+ companies and institutions that supply apprenticeship contracts, internships, and recruitment pipelines.

Name

Guardia Cybersecurity School

Legal name

Quest Education Group

Website

https://guardia.school

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Guardia Cybersecurity School is a private French higher-education institution founded in 2021, offering 18 RNCP-certified cybersecurity programs (bac to bac+5) across three campuses in Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. It serves high-school graduates, career changers, and enterprise partners through project-based pedagogy and apprenticeship-funded training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Higher Education and Professional Training

NAICS

Computer Training (61142), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Technical Skills (Security Engineering, SOC, Pen Testing) (EDABAFAF), Cybersecurity (EDAAAPAC), Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity education
• Higher education training
• Professional certification programs
• Cybersecurity bootcamp
• Apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Student Tuition - Bachelor Programs: Annual tuition fees for 3-year Bachelor programs in cybersecurity. Paid per academic year. First two years include paid internships. Third year switches to apprenticeship model with no tuition charged to student.
2. Student Tuition - MSc/Mastère Programs: Annual tuition fees for 2-year postgraduate programs (bac+5). Technical mastères are 100% apprenticeship-funded with zero tuition to students. Management MSc programs charge full tuition.
3. Professional Training Programs: Short courses and certifications for working professionals. Pricing ranges from 1,600€ to 6,900€ depending on program duration and depth. Eligible for CPF (personal training account) and France Travail funding.
4. Career Path Bundles: Combined training packages (Analyst path: 3,900€; Pentester path: 5,900€) offered at discounted rates versus individual course purchases. Target professional career transitions.
5. Apprenticeship/Alternance Revenue: Companies pay tuition fees directly through OPCO (joint vocational training organizations) for apprenticeship contracts. 10,800€ per year per apprentice for technical mastères. Students receive monthly salary (784€-1,112€ brut).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Guardia Cybersecurity School is a private higher education institution delivering specialized cybersecurity education through 18 programs spanning from Bac to Bac+5 levels. It offers Bachelor degrees (technical expertise and project management tracks), Mastère/MSc programs (offensive/defensive cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, IoT security, governance/compliance, and threat intelligence), and short professional certifications (ethical hacking, pentesting, AI, green IT). Programs are delivered via 100% project-based Active Learning methodology across three French campuses and an online platform.

Product overview

Guardia Cybersecurity School is a private higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of 18 specialized cybersecurity programs spanning from Bac (high school diploma) to Bac+5 (master's level). The school operates two main program tracks: a Technical Expertise Track (Bachelor + three Master's programs in offensive/defensive cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure security, and IoT security) and an International Management Track (Bachelor + two MSc programs in governance/compliance and threat intelligence). Additionally, the school provides 8 professional training programs for working professionals seeking skill advancement or career transitions, covering areas from AI content creation to ethical hacking and green IT management. All programs follow a project-based pedagogy with industry partnerships, and certain technical programs offer apprenticeship-based financing where companies cover tuition costs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Cybersécurité A 3-year post-baccalaureate technical program training experts in cybersecurity with specializations in DevSecOps & Pentest, ISR Security & Reverse Engineering, and Governance, Risk & Compliance. Years 1-2 include paid internships; Year 3 operates as apprenticeship (zero tuition). Tuition €9,400-€9,550/year depending on campus.
• Bachelor Chef de Projet Cybersécurité A 3-year post-baccalaureate management track covering governance, compliance, economic intelligence, and international project management without requiring prior technical training. All 3 years include paid internships. Tuition €9,650-€9,800/year depending on campus.
• Mastère Expert Cybersécurité - Offensive et Défensive A 2-year master's program (Bac+5) focusing on offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies with AI applied to security, covering Red, Blue, and Purple Team operations. 100% apprenticeship-funded (€10,800/year paid by enterprise partner). Specialization: Offensive/Defensive Cybersecurity.
• Mastère Expert Sécurité des Systèmes, Réseaux et Infrastructures Cloud A 2-year master's program specializing in securing networks and sovereign cloud infrastructures with AWS, Azure, and GCP expertise. 100% apprenticeship-funded (€10,800/year). Specialization: Cloud Infrastructure Security.
• Mastère Architecte IoT et Sécurité des Systèmes Connectés A 2-year master's program training specialists in designing and securing connected objects and intelligent ecosystems. 100% apprenticeship-funded (€10,800/year). Specialization: IoT Security.
• MSc Manager Gouvernance Cybersécurité et Conformité A 2-year master's program training consultants in cybersecurity strategy, governance, and regulatory compliance (NIS2, DORA, AI Act, GDPR). Tuition €11,150-€11,300/year depending on campus. Initial (non-apprenticeship) format with paid internship periods.
• MSc Manager en Renseignement et Analyse de la Menace A 2-year master's program covering cyber intelligence, OSINT, threat analysis, cyber defense, and geopolitics. Tuition €11,150-€11,300/year depending on campus.
• Formation Hacking : Introduction à la Sécurité ANSSI-labeled course (200 hours over 4 months) teaching ethical hacking techniques, system and network security for technically beginner profiles. Leads to BCC3 of TP AIS (RNCP37680). Price €3,100. Eligible for CPF.
• Formation Pentest : Sécurisation Avancée Advanced penetration testing course covering vulnerability exploitation and incident response for confirmed technical profiles. ANSSI-labeled. Price €3,100. Eligible for CPF.
• Formation Sécurité Systèmes & Réseaux Security hardening course covering secure administration, Active Directory, Zero Trust, and cloud infrastructure (400 hours over 9 months including 280 hours in company). CCP 1 and 2 of TP AIS (RNCP37680). Price €4,900. Eligible for CPF.
• Formation Administrateur d'Infrastructures Sécurisées RNCP Level 6 professional title program (Bac+3 equivalent) covering administration, security hardening, and ethical hacking with 12-month duration including 350 hours workplace period. Price €6,900. Eligible for CPF.
• Formation IA : Création de Contenus Professional certification in generative AI for creating text and visual content using responsible AI practices (42 hours online). RS6776 certification. Price €1,600. Eligible for CPF.
• Formation Piloter un Projet Green IT

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of apprentices find their apprenticeship contract before the start of the academic year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Ministère des Armées (French Ministry of Armed Forces)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Excellence partnership announced May 6, 2026 for the future of students. Strategic collaboration for defense-related cybersecurity training and career pathways.
• ComCyberGend (Commandement Cyber de la Gendarmerie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2021Ministry of Interior organization created in February 2021 to animate, coordinate, and strengthen cybersecurity capabilities within the French Gendarmerie. Provides training, prevention, and investigation support.
• TheGreenBowcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998French VPN software editor founded in 1998, distributing products in 70+ countries. Holder of 'Used by French Armies' label for Windows VPN Client.
• Exclusive NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal cybersecurity distribution specialist. Partners with Guardia CS for student apprenticeships and recruitment. Guardia CS alumnus Nicolas Grondin placed as Junior Cybersecurity Engineer at Exclusive Networks.
• CGIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the largest independent IT and management consulting firms globally with 84,000 consultants and professionals. Partners for student internships and apprenticeships. Student Sébastien Andlauer placed as Cybersecurity Analyst.
• Sopra SteriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor European technology company with 50,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, providing consulting, digital services, and software publishing. Revenue of 5.1 billion euros in 2022.
• StormshieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench cybersecurity software editor providing VPN solutions and security technologies certified at the highest European level. Products used by French armed forces.
• SquadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench cybersecurity market leader helping large organizations protect their assets per NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
• MailinblackcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench cybersecurity company with 15+ years developing innovative products for email security and overall cybersecurity solutions.
• MetsyscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCybersecurity and infrastructure integration specialist. 70 million euros revenue in 2023 with 500 employees across 11 French cities.
• Vinci EnergiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor energy and digital services group. Student Quentin Bardel-Marechal placed as Cybersecurity Analyst.
• SavoyecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology and logistics company. Student Maelys Bentayeb placed in IT Security role.
• ELCIA GroupecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware/Technology company. Student Enzo SA placed as Secure Infrastructure Administrator through apprenticeship.
• DevoteamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean tech consulting firm specializing in digital transformation and cybersecurity. Mentor Nicolas Besse serves as Senior Pentester.
• Direction du Renseignement Militaire (DRM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Military Intelligence Directorate. Strategic partner providing expertise and career opportunities for students in intelligence and defense sectors.
• Campus CybercoreOthersFrench cybersecurity campus initiative bringing together industry, academia, and government stakeholders to develop cybersecurity ecosystem.
• Fédération Française de la Cybersécurité (FFC)coreOthersFrench Cybersecurity Federation - professional organization supporting development of cybersecurity ecosystem. Founder Nicolas Sabben is active member.
• France CompétencescoreOthersFrench national authority for professional skills development. Oversees RNCP certification framework used by Guardia CS programs.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ESILV: French engineering school under ILEPS-Pôle Léonard de Vinci offering cybersecurity specializations and apprenticeships. Comparable post-bac/Bac+5 structure with industry-funded alternance model targeting the same employer pipeline.
• EPITA: Leading French private engineering school with a dedicated cybersecurity major (EPITA's SRSI specialization). Directly competes with Guardia for post-bac and apprenticeship students in the same price tier and French engineering school market.
• IMT Atlantique (Cybersecurity track): Top French public engineering Grande École with cybersecurity specialization trained in partnership with DGA MI. Competes for advanced cybersecurity engineering talent at both degree and apprenticeship levels.
• INSA Centre Val de Loire: Public engineering school with a dedicated cybersecurity specialization (CYBER). Competes for Bac+5 cybersecurity students but with public-pricing economics; relevant competitor for apprenticeship-funded seats.
• ECE (School of Engineering): French private engineering school with cybersecurity tracks and multi-campus presence (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux). Mirrors Guardia's multi-city structure and apprenticeship-driven curriculum.
• Sup de V (ESGI cyber track): French private school offering cybersecurity Master's programs with apprenticeship (alternance) funding. Competes directly with Guardia's Mastère programs on price and employer placement.
• ENSIBS (Université Bretagne Sud): Public French cybersecurity school (formerly known as the military-linked cyber school in Brittany). Directly comparable standalone cybersecurity institution with state-recognized degree programs.

Emerging players

• Wild Code School: French private bootcamp with cybersecurity training programs. Comparable in private-training model and CPF eligibility, but focused on shorter-format bootcamps rather than full degree programs.

Broad incumbents

• 42 (École 42): Large tuition-free French coding school with a cybersecurity curriculum. Competes for the same post-bac tech-curious student pool with free pricing, representing a structurally different but adjacent threat in cyber education.

Others

• Stormshield (training arm): French cybersecurity vendor (and Guardia partner) that also sells certified training courses. Provides technical-specific training as part of a broader product portfolio — relevant adjacent player in the French cyber training ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Guardia_School
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYpp2eA_UFhKN2z6fMbbLrw
• Facebookfacebook.com/guardiaschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/guardia-cybersecurity-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/guardia_school
• TikToktiktok.com/@guardia_school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Guardia Cybersecurity School