VINCI’s Archipel: A blueprint for Zero Trust in campus networks

At the heart of VINCI’s digital transformation stands the Archipel campus, the group’s headquarters in the Paris region, designed as a space where diverse entities such as VINCI Energies, Construction, and Holding can converge and collaborate. Spanning 74,000 m² and home to 3,500 employees, Archipel is also a real-world showcase of how Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) supports secure, scalable networks and enables seamless mobility across this multi-entity environment. 

From the outset, Axians played a key role in designing and deploying the secure network infrastructure. Leveraging its deep expertise in cybersecurity and digital transformation, Axians was instrumental in translating Zero Trust principles into a functional, high-performance network architecture for the campus.  

Traditional security models based on trusted internal networks no longer suffice. With the explosion of mobile devices, remote work, and IoT systems, the Archipel needed an architecture where no user or device is trusted by default, even within the network perimeter. Zero Trust became the foundation. 

In partnership with Cisco, VINCI Energies implemented a state-of-the-art ZTA solutions using Cisco DNA Center, Software-Defined Access (SDA), and Identity Services Engine (ISE). This enabled micro-segmentation, identity-based access control, and automated threat detection, ensuring that each user and device is continuously authenticated and authorized. 

This level of precision and resilience is only possible through deep cybersecurity expertise. Designing a network where every access point is a checkpoint, and where data flows are dynamically monitored and analyzed, requires a blend of advanced network engineering, AI-powered analytics, and a proactive security mindset. 

With Cisco Secure Network Analytics layered in, threats are detected in real time, leveraging behavioral analytics and machine learning. These capabilities are crucial for a living, breathing campus environment like the Archipel, where flexibility and security must coexist. 

In essence, the Archipel is more than just a modern office space. It shows how Zero Trust Architecture can work in real life. With the right technology and strong cybersecurity expertise, Axians built a secure, flexible network that protects users and data every day. It’s a clear example of how networking,  security and innovation can go hand in hand.