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Cyber chair reaching for the top

An all-women team of officer cadets from the Saint Cyr military academy scaled Kilimanjaro earlier this year, accompanied by a female veteran of the French mountain infantry, wounded in Afghanistan. The Saint-Cyr Sogeti Thales cyberdefence and cybersecurity chair was behind them all the way!

It was a remarkable human challenge in itself, but the adventure also aimed to raise public awareness about the situation of personnel wounded in action and people with disabilities in general.
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A lofty idea

In May 2015, Aurore, B茅n茅dicte, Claire, Ma毛lle and Quitterie, aged 21 to 23, had the idea of pursuing a project in the name of their year group (Neuch猫ze). Officer cadets at the Saint Cyr military academy1, they set themselves the challenge of scaling Kilimanjaro, the permanently snow-clad dormant volcano and the highest peak in Africa. Particularly concerned about personnel wounded in action, who 鈥endure terrible difficulties, both mentally and physically鈥 and who are 鈥too often forgotten鈥, the girls were accompanied by C茅cile, a lance corporal with the 7th Mountain Infantry Battalion who was wounded in Afghanistan in 2011.
As well as the humanitarian and competitive aspect of the project, the five cadets wanted to 鈥convey an image of the Army which has become increasingly open to women over the years by forming an all-female team鈥.
 
鈥婭n 2011, C茅cile was serving as a nursing auxiliary with the French Army in Afghanistan when the vehicle she was in struck a land mine. Five years later, although the effects of her multiple fractures and head injuries linger on, she set her sights on the summit of Kilimanjaro, 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level. Sport has helped her rebuild her life, both mentally and physically, with the help of the French Army鈥檚 CABAT casualty support unit. 

鈥婽aking on Kilimanjaro calls for a huge amount of physical preparation and training. On the weekend of 26鈥27 February, the six travelled to Chamb茅ry in the French Alps for the first in a series of physical training exercises in preparation for their ascent. This was followed by a programme of intensive training, including core training, hiking and loaded marches. On 3 April, the adventure began for the five cadets, together with C茅cile and Zo茅, the official photographer. It took them six days to reach the summit, 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level.

鈥淭ogether, we鈥檝e reached the top. We鈥檙e overwhelmed by emotion, what an adventure! As the dawn rises on Kilimanjaro, it鈥檚 just dazzling, we鈥檙e transfixed and filled with awe. What a breathtaking sight!鈥 

Thales provided satellite communications systems which helped in many means and especially to send videos and use a mailbox, all from the top of Kilimanjaro to France!
To learn more about the day-to-day details of the ascent, .
The project was made possible by the efforts of the cadets and the support of various contributors, including the Saint-Cyr Sogeti Thales Cyberdefence and Cybersecurity chair.

About the Saint-Cyr Sogeti Thales Cyberdefence and Cybersecurity chair
The Cyberdefence and Cybersecurity chair, created on 2 July 2012, aims to foster a better understanding of cyberdefence and cybersecurity issues by analysing stakeholders, addressing technical, legal, political and strategic concerns and proposing solutions based on commercial and military technologies. The chair is the result of a partnership between the Saint-Cyr Co毛tquidan military academy, the Saint-Cyr Foundation, Sogeti and Thales. 
1 The Saint Cyr military academy in Brittany trains the next generation of officers for the French Army. 
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