Paris Region’s Cyber Shield: a digital fortress
In the heart of Europe, where centuries-old cathedrals meet cutting-edge innovation, the region of Île-de-France (Paris Region) is quietly waging a modern battle: the fight for cybersecurity. Behind the scenes*, Gwennaelle Costa Le Vaillant, the region's Chief Digital Innovation Officer, is steering a strategy as ambitious as it is essential.
“We structured our cybersecurity approach around three pillars,” Gwennaelle explains, her voice steady with purpose. “One pillar focuses on the Region itself, the second on high schools, engaging pupils, and the third on economic development, specifically SMEs and stakeholders.”
A collective concern and responsibility
This three-pronged framework has transformed cybersecurity from a niche IT concern into a shared regional responsibility. Through collaborations with universities and the regional European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERFD), Île-de-France is weaving cybersecurity awareness deep into the fabric of its community.
This proactive mindset proved vital ahead of the Olympic Games. Just three months before the event, fears of massive cyberattacks became a pressing concern. The region’s response? Rigorous, life-scale attack simulations. “Preparation was key. We tested systems under realistic attack scenarios, and now we have an incredibly efficient protection process in place,” Gwennaelle recounts.
Zoom in: support to businesses
One of the standout initiatives is the Urgence Cyber Help Desk, a 24/7 lifeline for SMEs, municipalities, and hospitals. “Stakeholders can call at any time, and within two minutes, an expert will respond,” Gwennaelle says with pride. “It’s not just about responding to attacks, it’s about prevention and preparedness.”
The region has also innovated with its Cyber Vouchers programme, (a good practice featured in the CDREUROPE project) offering SMEs diagnostic packages from top experts.
The Region creates something that doesn’t exist in the market, sets it up, and then steps back to let it grow sustainably
With 158 applications received and 102 approved, the Cyber Vouchers initiative has injected nearly €900,000 into the cybersecurity ecosystem. An impact survey is underway, but early feedback from beneficiaries points to broad satisfaction and measurable improvements in resilience.
Alhough this pilot ended in February 2025 due to budget constraints, the initiative didn’t stall but evolved. The CYBIAH (Cybersécurité et Intelligence Artificielle Hub) in La Défense, funded by the Region, has picked up the momentum, embedding the programme’s principles into its broader mission. “The Region creates something that doesn’t exist in the market, sets it up, and then steps back to let it grow sustainably,” Gwennaelle explains.
Today, CYBIAH supports businesses by delivering advanced cybersecurity and AI services, driving innovation, and helping them adopt next-generation digital tools.
Challenges ahead
Yet, Gwennaelle knows that technology alone isn’t enough. “We must open the cyber jobs pipeline to women,” she emphasises. The Region has made tangible progress in increasing gender equality in cybersecurity jobs, sending a clear message to SMEs: this is a field where women can thrive.
Looking ahead, Île-de-France is preparing to join the Digital Europe GEN AI call, recognising that “cybersecurity before AI is not the same as cybersecurity after AI,” as Gwennaelle puts it. This forward-looking approach positions the region not just as a defender against today’s threats, but as a leader shaping the cybersecurity landscape of tomorrow.
Île-de-France’s multifaceted, collaborative, and forward-thinking strategy offers a powerful example of how regional leadership can build a more resilient, inclusive, and secure digital future.
This topic aligns with the Interreg Europe programme’s focus on digitalisation and security, supporting the European Commission’s proposals for a modernised cohesion policy, as highlighted in this Interreg Europe article on regional solutions.
*Heartfelt thanks to Gwenaelle Costa-Le-Vaillant and Frédérique Vinay for their invaluable time and thoughtful insights during the interview.
