A strategic solution serving the digital sovereignty of Defence
As hybrid threats intensify, digital interference attempts multiply, and operational units, central directorates, defence manufacturers and crisis cells need ever-tighter coordination, players in the sector can no longer rely on collaborative tools whose hosting, code or governance sit outside national control. The “Cloud au Centre” (“Cloud at the Centre”) doctrine championed by the French State, reaffirmed in late 2024 by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA, France’s defence procurement agency), now places data sovereignty at the heart of the Ministry of the Armed Forces’ technology choices.
Since 2019, Whaller has equipped the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and, more broadly, supported the defence ecosystem with its collaborative needs, through a French solution certified SecNumCloud by ANSSI, France’s national cybersecurity agency. As early as 2020, during the first lockdowns, the platform was deployed at scale as a fallback remote-working solution to guarantee the operational continuity of the forces in the midst of the health crisis. This adoption led to the official “Utilisé par les Armées Françaises” (“Used by the French Armed Forces”, UAF) label, a rare recognition for an independent French vendor.
Modular, robust and 100% independently controlled, Whaller enables military institutions, defence manufacturers and sensitive service providers to create compartmentalised spaces for coordinating strategic projects, sharing critical information and strengthening digital resilience, all while meeting the highest cybersecurity standards.
A qualified environment for sensitive information
In a context where Defence information systems are considered critical infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements leave no room for compromise. Whaller DONJON stands out as a sovereign digital foundation, the only collaborative and community platform to have obtained ANSSI’s Security Visa for SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification — a demanding qualification process, carried out in partnership with OVHcloud since October 2021, which required nearly two years of audits and investment. This foundation guarantees hosting in France outside the reach of the Cloud Act and the Patriot Act, together with a “zero-trust” architecture suited to highly sensitive environments.
- SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification (ANSSI Security Visa for our Whaller DONJON offering)
- 100% French hosting: OVHcloud or on-premise, with no reliance on non-European providers
- Encrypted Sphere: a sphere type with end-to-end encryption, available on the web and mobile apps, for the most sensitive exchanges and documents
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA), logging, and isolation of critical data
- Compliant with the resilience requirements for Essential and Important Entities (EE/IE) and with the NIS2 directive
This security requirement is matched by a recognition that goes beyond technical qualification alone, and which speaks directly to Defence’s own language:
🔐 SecNumCloud 3.2 – ANSSI Security Visa
🛡️ UBCYBER Label – UBCOM (Switzerland)
🇫🇷 “Sovereign Solution” Label – Privacy Tech
✅ Numérique France Garanti Certification – Origine France Garantie
Whaller is also a member of the Pôle d’Excellence Cyber (Cyber Excellence Cluster), jointly created by the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Brittany Region, which lists the company in its portfolio. The Numérique France Garanti (NFG) certification, awarded following an independent audit conducted by Bureau Veritas, adds a further layer to this foundation of trust. All of these guarantees allow Defence IT decision-makers to rely on a verified ecosystem, rather than simply taking a vendor’s word for it.
Real-world use cases in the Defence sector
| Use case | Objectives | Features enabled |
|---|---|---|
| Communication between central directorates and units | Streamline exchanges with forces and bases | Compartmentalised spheres, secure chat, calendar, video conferencing |
| Crisis management and business continuity | Coordinate in the event of a cyberattack or logistical disruption | Whaller Résilience, alerts, isolated messaging |
| Collaboration with defence manufacturers | Share sensitive projects without exposure or leaks | Project spheres, Encrypted Sphere, granular access control, MFA |
| Armed Forces Families (Familles des Armées) | Maintain a trusted link with the families of service personnel on deployment | Private social platform, moderation, dedicated resources |
| Interoperability with existing information systems | Integrate seamlessly into the Ministry’s existing IT ecosystem | Open APIs, SSO, connectors to business software |
A concrete example of this day-to-day use: the Familles des Armées programme relies on Whaller to keep deployed service personnel connected with their loved ones. Captain Amandine, the officer in charge, explains in an interview for the Whaller blog how the platform reassures families while preserving operational confidentiality.
Key benefits for Defence stakeholders
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enhanced security | SecNumCloud 3.2 qualification, Encrypted Sphere (end-to-end encryption, web and mobile), MFA, logging, regular audits |
| Guaranteed sovereignty | Hosting in France, independence from the Cloud Act and Patriot Act, zero reliance on non-European providers |
| Smooth inter-service coordination | Collaborative spheres dedicated by mission, unit or function, with strict compartmentalisation between entities |
| Interoperability and integration | Open APIs, SSO, connection to the business software already in place within the Defence IT system |
| Operational resilience | A platform that stays accessible even during an IT crisis, with a dedicated Whaller Résilience module |
| Protection of partners and manufacturers | Differentiated access, watertight silos between projects, central oversight by IT departments |
| Regulatory compliance | GDPR, requirements for Essential and Important Entities, the NIS2 directive, the State’s “Cloud au Centre” doctrine, and the Numérique France Garanti certification |
A solution proven by the French Armed Forces
Since 2019, Whaller has equipped the Ministry of the Armed Forces, with a nationwide rollout carried out as early as 2020 during the first lockdowns, as a sovereign remote-working solution. This adoption was accompanied by the official “Utilisé par les Armées Françaises” (“Used by the French Armed Forces”) label in 2021, recognising the platform’s robustness, security and operational usefulness. Whaller has also been listed with UGAP, France’s central public purchasing body, making it easier for public bodies and organisations under the Ministry’s authority to adopt the platform.
Whether for strategic planning, coordination during overseas operations, or staying in touch with military families, Whaller offers a sovereign alternative to standard collaborative tools, free from reliance on Big Tech and with full control over information flows — a challenge that the DGA’s new cloud policy only confirmed and reinforced in late 2024.
- Read the interview with Captain Amandine
- Read the article on digital sovereignty and the French Army
- Understand the DGA’s “Cloud au Centre” doctrine
- Digital sovereignty: Whaller establishes itself in French defence
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