Exploring ESIEA’s 5G Innovation Lab: A Hands-On Collaboration with Firecell

A hands-on approach to teaching 5G, IOT, and cybersecurity to students

Preparing students for the rapidly evolving tech world is no small feat, but Richard Rey, Director of ESIEA’s cybersecurity lab, is on a mission to make it happen. At ESIEA (École Supérieure d’Informatique, Électronique et Automatique), one of France’s top engineering schools, students don’t just learn about the future—they help create it. 

By integrating Firecell’s Labkit 40, a revolutionary open-source platform, ESIEA gives its students a hands-on edge in 5G, IoT, and cybersecurity. “It’s not just about deploying a 5G network,” Richard explains. “It’s about understanding the architecture, every component, and its purpose.”

Bringing 5G to Life: Learning Through Doing  

In many schools, students might read about 4G and 5G in textbooks or hear lectures about how IoT systems work. At ESIEA, the approach is different: students build it themselves.

Here’s how it works:  

• 4th-year students set up and configured Labkit 40, ensuring the 5G platform worked seamlessly end-to-end.  
• Once the platform is ready, it’s passed to 5th-year students, who push it further by analyzing vulnerabilities, simulating attack scenarios, and testing its resilience.  

For example, students recently built a fully functional IoT ecosystem. They created a system in which connected devices transmitted data to the platform, which was then analyzed by AI-driven applications. This real-world project prepared them for roles in industries such as telecommunications, IoT development, and cybersecurity.

“Our students aren’t just following instructions—they’re solving real problems, which is what they’ll be doing in their careers,” Richard says proudly.

Overcoming 5G Challenges: Explore, experiment, and find real-life solutions  

Getting hands-on with cutting-edge technology like Labkit 40 isn’t without its challenges. Early on, students faced hurdles like updating software and troubleshooting connectivity issues. But instead of giving them quick answers, the faculty encouraged them to explore, experiment, and find solutions independently.

“We don’t spoon-feed our students,” Richard emphasizes. “The goal is for them to learn by doing—facing setbacks, finding solutions, and building resilience.”

With support from Firecell’s customer team, the students navigated these challenges and gained the confidence to handle complex systems. Their perseverance sets the stage for even bigger projects, like testing 5G’s applications in military communication and detecting SMSI catchers for cybersecurity.

Open-Source Innovation: A Platform for Creativity  

One of Labkit 40’s standout features is its open-source architecture. This transparency allows students to explore the details of 5G technologies, experiment, and innovate confidently.

For instance, during a recent IoT project, students were able to:

• Understand the inner workings of 5G infrastructure.  
• Customize the platform to meet specific project needs.  
• Test real-world use cases like secure data transmission for IoT devices.  

“We want our students to go beyond the surface,” Richard explains. “With Labkit 40, they’re not just technology users—they’re creators and innovators.” 

An ambitious annual project showcase to industry leaders

By April, ESIEA aims to have a fully functional 5G platform to support even more ambitious projects. This will include creating advanced IoT applications and exploring AI-driven innovations. The platform will also take center stage at ESIEA’s annual project showcase, where students present their work to industry leaders.

Richard is optimistic about what’s ahead: “Labkit 40 isn’t just a tool; it’s a catalyst for innovation. It’s helping us push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.”

Bridging Academia and Industry  

The collaboration between ESIEA and Firecell is a shining example of how academia and industry can collaborate to empower the next generation of engineers. By combining Firecell’s cutting-edge technology with ESIEA’s hands-on teaching approach, students are not only prepared for today’s challenges but also ready to lead the charge into the future.

If you’re inspired by what Firecell and ESIEA are achieving and imagine what their solutions could do for your organization, contact Firecell to explore the possibilities.

Fact box:

Customer: ESIEA (École d’ingénieurs d’un numérique utile), Digital Trust and Security Laboratory (CNS)

Contact: Richard Rey, head of operational projects at ESIEA’s cybersecurity laboratory (CNS)

Focus Areas: Cybersecurity, Data Science, Embedded Systems, Software Engineering, Virtual Reality

Set-up: Firecell Labkit 40 with Gold Support and Maintenance

Labkit 40 Use: To equip ESIEA students with real-world skills and enable their more profound understanding of 5G network functions thanks to Labkit’s open-source architecture

Cyber ​​surveillance of information systems, live in action. Photo courtesy of ESIEA’s CNS Laboratory.