In France, the Paris region has definitely created a robust and industrious security sector that places value on research and development on the technological front. The Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris) took a significant stride in 2021 with the establishment of the Center for Innovation in Defence and Security (CIEDS). With robust support from the French Ministry of Armed Forces and the Defence Innovation Agency, CIEDS positions itself on the forefront of envisioning and developing cutting-edge solutions to meet the technological demands of the defense sector. CIEDS draws strength from collaboration with 25 IP Paris laboratories dedicated to defense and security. What this amounts to is work with 120 permanent researchers and teacher-researchers. CIEDS currently steers 40 ongoing doctoral theses and 60 studies, among which are 36 major projects initiated since 2021. In this sense, the centre fulfills its mission as a hub for research, education and technology transfer. CIEDS pioneers scientific investigations in defense-centric domains as it targets breakthroughs that promise operational value. Education is a key pillar here as CIEDS actively shapes IP Paris courses to align with defense and security needs. The center fosters connectivity between researchers, students, Ministry of Armed Forces personnel and other partners, creating a collaborative ecosystem around defense challenges. Although theoretical research makes the brunt of the work, CIEDS focuses on development of technologies pertinent to the Defense and Security sector. By ensuring the swift scaling up of scientific breakthroughs, the center aims to advance innovations to a pre-industrialization phase. The tangible outcomes of IP Paris’ dedication to defense technology are showcased on the CURIE network’s GetInLabs portal. Here, technologies with direct relevance to the Defense and Security sector, stemming from IP Paris laboratories, come to fruition. Results speak for themselves. CIEDS has more than contributed to the future of national security technology.