Stéphane: Computer Forensic Expert at the DGA

What made you decide to join ENSTA Bretagne and enroll on the Armament Research and Technology Engineering course?

When I was little, I wanted to make planes for the French Air Force. So when I first heard about ENSTA Bretagne at a school forum, I knew it would be the best course for me.

During my year of discovering the armed forces, I was assigned to the French Air Force. I really enjoyed the different learning experiences, it was very educational. Being an Armament Research and Technology Engineering student gave me a head start and I was financially independent by the age of 19. My training as an Armament Research and Technology Engineer enabled me to meet some great people and to achieve specific and motivating professional goals.

What did you choose to specialize in? 

I've always been interested in computers and IT. So it was only natural that I chose the “Computing Systems and Security” specialization course in my second year, which became “Computing Systems Design” in my third year. My first-year internship at the Direction Générale de l’Armement’s “Information Management” Center reinforced my interest in cyber security. 

We had the opportunity to benefit from a wide range of presentations on very specific topics that gave us a comprehensive overview of the subject. This allowed me to take a step back and process a lot of information.

Where did you do your other internships?

My second-year internship was in Germany. There I discovered a new way of working, with different methods and a different type of organization. For four months, I was tasked with enhancing the tracing capabilities of a supercomputer for the Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg. To achieve this, I worked using Visual Studio Code and coded in C. This research also opens the door to advances in other areas that use supercomputers, such as the German Climate Computing Center.

For my end-of-study internship, I worked on developing a HMI (Human Machine Interface) on Android Studio. I had to create a means of communication between an RFID chip reader and a human via a tablet, which I programmed mostly in Java. I learned to work in a large group with very different people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I also learned to look for information in different ways, which was very enlightening.

Which course project stood out the most for you? 

I really enjoyed the Systems Discovery project we did in our first year. This project encouraged us to think about subjects other than so-called “hard” science.

I worked on a project to replace ENSTA Bretagne’s fleet of vehicles with an electric fleet in order to study its carbon footprint, among other things. We all had very different subjects, which allowed us to learn from each other’s work.

What is your fondest memory as a student at ENSTA Bretagne?

I really enjoyed the Gala show at the Ateliers des Capucins in my second year. This is one of the occasions where you can see all the other student activities, especially clubs and associations. I especially remember the Pom-Pim performances and the Music Club, who seized the opportunity to show the whole school the fruits of their labors. It was also the perfect time to take photographs, which is one of my hobbies.
 

During my 3 years on campus, I spent a lot of time at the Games Bureau. It's a friendly place with a relaxed atmosphere where I've always been made to feel very welcome. On the sports side of things, I was president of the Table Tennis Sports Association.

Do you have a message for anyone interested in joining the school?

Don't be afraid to learn new things. The professors are always willing to discuss with students and help them with things like school clubs and associations. Attending an engineering school is so much more than simply going to class!