Oteria Cyber School

What Oteria Cyber School does

Oteria Cyber School is a French cybersecurity-exclusive higher education institution operating under parent company IKAI SAS, headquartered in Paris with a 1,200 m² campus in Gennevilliers, Île-de-France. Founded in 2021, the school delivers a five-year integrated program from Bac to Bac+5, culminating in the state-recognized RNCP Level 7 'Expert en Cybersécurité' title (#39999), for which OTERIA holds exclusive certification rights from France Compétences since 18 December 2024. The curriculum is delivered 100% in-person with classes capped at 25 students and covers offensive security, defensive operations, governance/risk/compliance, DevSecOps, industrial cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and data protection. Every instructor is an active practitioner from leading cybersecurity firms and CAC 40 enterprises.

The institution operates a hybrid B2C-to-B2B business model. B1/B2 students (initial training) pay approximately €8,100 per year in tuition, financed via CPF, OPCO, AIF, or student loans. From B3 through M2, the model switches to alternance (apprenticeship): the student's tuition is fully covered by the employing company via its OPCO, yielding €0 cost to the student while generating reliable tuition revenue for the school. Revenue is supplemented by short certifications (€2,500–€5,000), the VAE pathway (€2,000), and employer-funded short programs. The go-to-market relies on multi-channel student acquisition (website quiz, CTF competitions, open days, Discord, PWNCAST podcast, SEO) and an extensive employer partnership network of 250+ companies that participate in five annual job datings and account for 70% of apprentice placements. With approximately 400 students, 426 alternates across 7 cohorts (2024–2030), 17 distinct programs, and Qualiopi certification renewed in 2025 across apprenticeship, initial training, and VAE categories, OTERIA is scaling rapidly in the structurally underserved French cybersecurity skills market (15,000+ unfilled positions nationally, 3.5 million globally per ISC² 2024).

Name

Oteria Cyber School

Legal name

IKAI SAS

Website

https://oteria.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oteria Cyber School is a French cybersecurity-exclusive higher education institution operating under IKAI SAS, delivering a five-year Bac-to-Bac+5 program in Gennevilliers. It is the exclusive certifier of the RNCP Level 7 'Expert en Cybersécurité' title (#39999) and operates a hybrid B2C/apprenticeship model serving 400+ students and 250+ enterprise partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Higher Education

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity (General) (EDAOAIAB)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity education
• Apprenticeship training
• RNCP certification
• Offensive security training
• Professional cybersecurity programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Initial Training (B1/B2): Students in the initial training years (B1 and B2) pay tuition fees directly. B1 and B2 cost approximately €8,100 per year. These fees can be financed via CPF, OPCO (for employees in retraining), AIF (France Travail), or student loans from BNP Paribas.
2. Apprenticeship/Alternance (B3, M1, M2): From B3 onward, OTERIA operates exclusively on an apprenticeship model. The employing company pays tuition fees in full to the CFA (Centre de Formation des Apprentis) via its OPCO, resulting in zero tuition cost to the student. Students additionally receive a monthly salary (43%–100% of the SMIC depending on age).
3. VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience): Professionals with ≥1 year of cybersecurity experience can obtain the RNCP Level 7 title via a VAE portfolio and oral defense. The VAE costs €2,000, financed via CPF.
4. Short Certifications and Bootcamps: OTERIA offers short certifiable programs (ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, CEH, CISSP, CompTIA Security+, DPO) priced between €2,500–€5,000, primarily financed via the CPF scheme with a €150 co-payment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Oteria Cyber School is a French cybersecurity-exclusive higher education institution delivering a 5-year program from Bac to Bac+5, centered on the Bachelor Cybersécurité (Bac+3) and the Mastère Expert en Cybersécurité (Bac+5). The Mastère grants the state-recognized RNCP Level 7 title #39999 covering 24 cybersecurity job roles, with seven specialization majors (Offensive, Blue Team, GRC, DevSecOps, Industrial, CTI, DPO) delivered 100% in-person and integrated with alternating apprenticeship contracts. The school also offers short certifications (ISO 27001, CEH, CISSP, CompTIA Security+, DPO), VAE pathways, and proprietary learning tools (Kernel platform, PWNCAST podcast, CTF competitions).

Product overview

Oteria Cyber School is a cybersecurity-exclusive educational institution offering a unified program portfolio spanning Bac+3 to Bac+5, centered on the Bachelor Cybersécurité (3-year undergraduate) and the Mastère Expert en Cybersécurité (2-year master's delivering exclusive RNCP Niveau 7 certification #39999). The core Mastère program is architected as a platform-plus-majors model: a shared M1 trunk (440 hours, 60% common content + 40% specialization) feeding into seven distinct M2 specialization majors (420–500 hours each) covering Offensive, Blue Team, GRC, DevSecOps, Industrial, Renseignement/Cybermenaces, and DPO. Five supplementary short programs (OSINT, SOC Analyst, DPO, Secure Development, OWASP) serve continuing education and CPF channels. The offering is complemented by the proprietary Kernel LMS platform, external practice platforms (Root-Me, PwnedLabs), the PWNCAST live podcast series, and a competitive CTF event program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 0x41: Elite program for vulnerability research, reverse engineering, and advanced offensive security

Products and services

• Bachelor Cybersécurité

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of graduates are employed within 6 months of completing their training (measured across 4 consecutive graduating cohorts 2021–2024).
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers37 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• ThalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThales is a flagship enterprise partner recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity apprenticeships and CDI positions. Thales participates in OTERIA's exclusive job datings. OTERIA students work on Thales projects involving security of complex systems including aerospace, defense, and critical infrastructure.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus is a major enterprise partner of OTERIA, recruiting graduates for cybersecurity roles across its aerospace operations. Present at OTERIA's exclusive job datings.
• Orange CyberdefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrange Cyberdefense is both a major recruiter and an instructor provider for OTERIA. Its practitioners serve as guest lecturers and workshop leaders, contributing to curriculum delivery across offensive, defensive, and threat intelligence tracks.
• SynacktivcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSynacktiv is an elite offensive security firm that co-develops the 0x41 elite vulnerability research track with OTERIA. The 0x41 program runs via x41.fr and trains the most advanced students for vulnerability research roles. Synacktiv also provides technical instructors for OTERIA's offensive security curriculum.
• SekoiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOTERIA has a formalized partnership with Sekoia for threat intelligence and cyber threat analysis training. The partnership involves cross-disciplinary teaching where Sekoia practitioners co-deliver portions of the Renseignement et Cybermenaces (CTI) curriculum, providing students with immersion in real-world threat analysis practices.
• KPMGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPMG recruits OTERIA graduates for cybersecurity audit, GRC, and risk consulting roles. Present at OTERIA job datings. KPMG's cybersecurity practice benefits from OTERIA's pipeline of GRC-oriented graduates.
• YesWeHacksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYesWeHack, a European bug bounty and offensive security platform, provides curriculum input and recruits OTERIA graduates for offensive security roles. Contributing to OTERIA's Red Team and pentest training content.
• x41.frcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerx41.fr is the operational vehicle for OTERIA's elite 0x41 vulnerability research track. It provides the 2-year apprenticeship framework for the most technically advanced students, combining vulnerability research with professional practice at elite offensive security firms.
• Racine (Racine Avocats)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRacine is a law firm partnered with OTERIA for the DPO (Data Protection Officer) major. The partnership involves one year of cross-disciplinary teaching combining digital law (intellectual property, data protection, cybersecurity regulations) with technical cybersecurity content. This collaboration bridges the legal and technical dimensions of data protection.
• Crédit AgricolecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the founding enterprise partners of OTERIA. Crédit Agricole recruits cybersecurity talent for its internal security operations and risk management functions. As a major financial institution, it provides apprenticeships across GRC, SOC, and application security.
• LVMHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLVMH recruits OTERIA students for cybersecurity roles within its luxury goods and digital operations. Present at OTERIA job datings.
• Ministère des ArméessecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe French Ministry of Defence recruits OTERIA graduates for cybersecurity roles in national security and defense sectors. Present at OTERIA's exclusive job datings.
• Campus CybersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOTERIA is affiliated with Campus Cyber, the French national cybersecurity campus hub. This affiliation provides students with access to the broader French cybersecurity ecosystem, events, and additional employer connections.
• CapgeminicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal IT services firm recruiting OTERIA graduates for cybersecurity consulting engagements across French enterprise clients. Present at OTERIA's job datings.
• SanofisecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPharmaceutical giant recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity roles related to protecting pharmaceutical R&D data, clinical systems, and industrial control environments.
• Renault DigitalsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital arm of Renault Group recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity roles within automotive digital transformation, connected vehicles, and manufacturing systems.
• Exclusive NetworkssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity distributor and MSSP that recruits OTERIA students for alternating contracts. A student testimonial (Yassine Ahddak) references his alternating role at Exclusive Networks.
• CyberwatchsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity firm employing OTERIA graduates. A testimonial references Romain, a Mastère graduate, working as a pentester at Cyberwatch.
• I-TRACINGsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity services firm (I-TRACING) recruits OTERIA students for pentesting, SOC, and threat intelligence roles.
• IntrinsecsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity services firm recruiting OTERIA graduates for offensive and defensive roles.
• AdvenssecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity services firm recruiting OTERIA graduates for offensive, defensive, and GRC positions.
• AlmondminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity consultancy (Almond) recruits OTERIA graduates for GRC consulting roles.
• Canal+minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedia group Canal+ recruits OTERIA students for internal cybersecurity roles.
• Tractebel (ENGIE)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEngineering consultancy (part of ENGIE group) recruiting OTERIA students for critical infrastructure cybersecurity roles.
• ValeominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomotive equipment manufacturer recruiting OTERIA students for industrial and embedded systems cybersecurity roles.
• SodexominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFacilities and hospitality group recruiting OTERIA students for internal IT security roles.
• OVRSEAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTechnology company in OTERIA's partner network.
• OneepointminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital transformation consultancy recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity consulting roles.
• Decathlon DigitalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital division of Decathlon recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity roles.
• EpieosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCybersecurity technology firm in OTERIA's partner network.
• Serval ConceptminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIT services firm (Serval Concept) is both a recruiting partner and the employer of instructor Guillaume Morelle (Windows Security).
• Axians (VINCI Energies)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorICT services brand within VINCI Energies, recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity roles.
• IDEMIAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIdentity and security technology company recruiting OTERIA students.
• LegrandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElectrical and digital infrastructure manufacturer recruiting OTERIA students for cybersecurity roles.
• ZOIminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManaged security services provider in OTERIA's partner network.
• SHV Energy / SHV Gas Supply & Risk ManagementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEnergy company in OTERIA's network. A testimonial references Thomas as an assistant RSSI at SHV Energy after graduating from OTERIA.
• VivesciaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgri-business group in OTERIA's partner network recruiting for cybersecurity roles.
• ArdiansecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate investment company employing OTERIA's DevSecOps instructor (Jean-Baptiste Granet) as its head of operational security. Ardian recruits OTERIA graduates and benefits from the instructor connection.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ESIEA: French post-bac engineering school with a long-standing cybersecurity and cryptology program, including offensive security tracks and a CTF-active student culture. Comparable to OTERIA in its practitioner-led approach and 5-year engineering credentialing.
• CESI: Large French network of engineering schools offering apprenticeship-formatted cybersecurity specializations to bac+5. Operates a multi-campus model across France, serving as a competitor on enterprise apprenticeship channels.
• Guardia Cybersecurity School: French cybersecurity-focused higher-education school (also under the IONIS Education Group / Tonelli ecosystem) offering Bachelor to Mastère degrees in cyber, with strong apprenticeship placement. Most direct analog to OTERIA in terms of curriculum scope, target students, and Paris-region delivery model.
• ENSIBS - Université Bretagne Sud: Public French university program dedicated to cybersecurity engineering (diplôme d'ingénieur), with offensive and defensive majors. State-funded counterpart in the same student market segment.
• EPITA / EPITECH: Major French private engineering schools (IONIS group) with dedicated cybersecurity majors covering offensive, defensive and GRC tracks. Compete for the same Bac-to-Bac+5 cyber cohort and the same enterprise apprenticeship partner pool.

Broad incumbents

• SANS Institute: Global leader in advanced cybersecurity training and GIAC certifications with a strong practitioner-instructor model. Anchors the upper end of the cyber training market globally and in France, complementing rather than fully overlapping OTERIA's Bac+5 RNCP degree offering.
• Offensive Security (OffSec): Global certification body (OSCP/OSCE) and provider of offensive-security training. Comparable to OTERIA's 0x41 elite pentest track in pedagogical philosophy and to its CEH/Kali short programs on the certification side.

Emerging players

• IPSSI: French private IT and cybersecurity school offering Bachelor-to-Mastère programs with apprenticeship options, based in Paris. Targets a similar post-bac cyber cohort but with a broader IT-school positioning.
• Hack The Box: Global gamified platform for offensive security skill development, increasingly offering structured academy-style educational programs. Comparable to OTERIA's Kernel/Root-Me/PwnedLabs hands-on practice environment and CTF-driven pedagogy.
• Cyberschool - Université Paris-Saclay: State-funded cyber school anchored at Paris-Saclay, focused on research-oriented cybersecurity training with strong academic positioning. Differentiates on research depth rather than practitioner-led apprenticeship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/oteria-cyber-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Oteria Cyber School