The yearly InCyber Forum returns to Lille Metropole for its 17th edition!

Cybersecurity, a major challenge for the region 

The issues of digital confidence and data protection are major economic and geopolitical challenges. A crucial challenge for businesses, citizens and public authorities, cybersecurity also represents a booming economic sector in Lille’s metropolitan area, which is home to several world-class Nordic companies. The InCyber Forum (FIC) is therefore an opportunity for Lille Metropole to reiterate its strong political commitment to digital security, by highlighting metropolitan projects and initiatives presented during the show. 

The InCyber Forum

The InCyber Forum, taking place from April 1st to the 3rd, brings together the entire cybersecurity and ‘trusted digital’ ecosystem: end customers, service providers, solution publishers, consultants, law enforcement and government agencies, schools and universities. This year, the theme is « Beyond Zero Trust: trust for all ». Launched in 2007 by the Gendarmerie Nationale (France’s military police), the International Cybersecurity Forum (now renamed the InCyber Forum) has established itself as Europe's go-to event for digital security and trust. Lille Metropole has taken part in the InCyber Forum since 2020, and has made cybersecurity a key issue. This forum, and the events that gravitate around it, are an opportunity to bring together the international cybersecurity community in the Metropolitan region. 

What happened last year ? 

Last year, several key events took place : 

• An international ice-breaking session featuring specialists from many foreign countries (England, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Cyprus, Switzerland, Romania, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, USA and Japan).

• The launch of the "European cyber cup (EC2)", an ethical hacking competition of which Lille Metropole is a long-standing partner. The aim of the ethical hacking competition is to identify high-potential talents, to showcase the full range of cybersecurity-related professions and skills in a fun way, and to communicate cyber security approaches to the general public, businesses and public players.

• Signature of an agreement between the InCyber Forum (FIC) and Lille Metropole. This agreement will strengthen the partnership between the two organizations until 2029.

• To personalise the visit to the InCyber Forum for the local authorities, public structures and European metropoles in attendance, a guided tour was organized. This tour, led by local players including the Cyber Campus and CITC (Centre d'Innovation des Technologies sans Contact), enabled participants to find out more about the Forum, Lille Metropole’s ecosystem and the challenges of cybersecurity for public authorities.

Some key numbers : 

• 20,000 in-person participants, 4,000 online 

• 2,700 international participants

• 103 countries represented 

• 580 speakers

• 700 public and private partners 

• 94% of satisfaction of participants 

This year, there is plenty more to look forward to :

• Learning expeditions organised by the regional Cyber Campus. These interactive and customisable learning expeditions aim to help you navigate all the different opportunities at the Forum, and to connect you to the right people to help you get the most out of this event. You can meet local start-ups, large firms that play a crucial role in the cybersecurity ecosystem, and institutional players. A translator will be accompanying these visits to facilitate interactions. Should you wish to learn more about these visits, or to personalise your experience, you can get in touch with the regional Cyber Campus, via Corentin Petrau. 

• The Start-up Prize : each year, the start-up prize rewards particularly innovative European start-ups in the field of digital security and trust. Following a Europe-wide call for entries (78 companies applied in 2024), the jury - made up of around 20 representatives of end-customers, government departments and investment funds - selects up to 12 companies, which are then invited to attend a hearing.

• Masterclasses : In an increasingly uncertain world, the ability to anticipate, manage and overcome crises is becoming a major strategic asset for any organisation. Take part in exclusive masterclasses, designed to immerse you in crisis situations and help you develop essential practical skills.

• The InCyber Book Prize is awarded each year at the Incyber Europe Forum in Lille. It rewards one or more books written in French or English. The book must deal with a theme relating to cybersecurity (IS, the fight against cybercrime, cyberdefence) or any issue relating to the digital metamorphosis (the challenges of digital technologies, digital ethics, etc.).

• InCyber Impact is the sponsorship programme with a strong societal impact launched by the InCyber Forum teams.

Lille Metropole’s Cybersecurity ecosystem 

By hosting the InCyber Forum since 2007 and until at least 2029, Lille Metropole is demonstrating its commitment as a pioneer in cybersecurity and in the digital transition. In 2009, Lille Metropole founded EuraTechnologies, a site of excellence dedicated to the digital sector which ranked number 1 startup hub in France by the Financial Times (30th in Europe) in 2024. Over the years, Lille Metropole has demonstrated its strong committment to building a cyber territory, as well as Lille Metropole’s unique expertise in supporting innovative companies, from their inception to their international deployment.

Home to world leaders implemented within and operating from Lille Metropole’s territory (Orange, ATOS, Thalès, Cap Gemini, IBM Cyber), and a supporter of the region's 70 emblematic companies (OVHcloud, Advens, Scalair, Certigna, MC2 Technologies,Vade, Whispeak, ...), Lille Metropole is also an incubation territory that has enabled the inception and development to the two biggest cyber solutions publishers in France: Stormshield (Villeneuve d'Ascq) and Hornetsecurity (Hem). In total, there are over 6,500 local jobs in the field. 

Furthermore, Lille Metropole supports research with the University of Lille, the establishments of the University and Polytechnic Federation of Lille, and their specialized Cybersecurity training courses, as well as research teams such as the CRISTAL laboratory, which brings together teams from CRIStAL (Centre de Recherche en Informatique, Signal et Automatique de Lille) INRIA (French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation), Centrale Lille Institute and the University of Lille.

It is largely thanks to this political ambition on the part of Lille Metropole that France's first Territorial Cyber Campus was created in 2023 at the heart of EuraTechnologies, and that Lille Metropole was awarded the very first Territorial Cyber Campus label to EuraTechnologies in May 2022 (during the FIC, which has now become the InCyber Forum). The Cyber Campus, inaugurated in 2023, is home to the Cyber Incident Response Center (CSIRT), which provides free assistance to local authorities, businesses and associations.

Want to learn more ?

You can find more information on the InCyber Forum website, including the program for the 2025 edition.

It is largely thanks to this political ambition on the part of Lille Metropole that France's first Territorial Cyber Campus was created in 2023 at the heart of EuraTechnologies, and that Lille Metropole was awarded the very first Territorial Cyber Campus label to EuraTechnologies in May 2022 (during the FIC, which has now become the InCyber Forum). The Cyber Campus, inaugurated in 2023, is home to the Cyber Incident Response Center (CSIRT), which provides free assistance to local authorities, businesses and associations.

Want to learn more ?

You can find more information on the InCyber Forum website, including the program for the 2025 edition.