In recent years, Italy has made significant strides in cybersecurity, building a robust infrastructure aimed at ensuring the nation’s digital security through 2026. A key player in this development has been the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), established in 2021 to centralize and coordinate cyber defense strategies.
The ACN started with just one employee, but in less than two years, it grew to a workforce of 170, with the goal of reaching 800 by 2027. This rapid expansion was supported by competitive salaries, comparable to those of institutions like the Bank of Italy, aimed at attracting and retaining top talent in the cybersecurity field.
The Skills Challenge
One of the most pressing challenges for the future of digital security is the shortage of specialized skills. It is estimated that by 2030, there will be a global shortfall of 85 million workers in the digital sector, with at least 10% of these positions in cybersecurity. To address this shortage, it is crucial to invest in the education of young people and create conditions that encourage them to stay and work in their home country.
As the demand for experts grows, there is a risk that companies might lower hiring standards, potentially bringing on board underqualified or even malicious individuals, thereby jeopardizing the security of critical infrastructure.
The Pillars of Digital Sovereignty
To ensure a nation’s digital sovereignty, four key pillars have been identified:
1. Control of Information: Controlling the data generated within a country is essential for security. While comprehensive government knowledge of this data is impossible, specific laws, such as the Cybersecurity National Perimeter law, ensure that critical information is protected and monitored.
2. Technology and Skills: Digital sovereignty depends on a country’s ability to produce and manage critical technology. It is crucial to have the expertise to evaluate and manage technologies acquired from abroad, ensuring that the management of critical data is entrusted to qualified and trustworthy personnel.
3. Awareness and Cooperation: Cyber risk awareness in society is vital. Executives, employees, and citizens must be educated about the dangers of cyberspace, and an effective response to global threats requires international cooperation that involves both the public and private sectors.
4. Preparation for Future Technologies: The evolution of technologies, such as quantum computers, could soon render current security measures obsolete. When these technologies reach a certain level of power, today’s encryption systems will become vulnerable. To prepare for this eventuality, new security protocols must be developed and implemented, as is already happening in the United States, which aims to protect data even against future quantum threats.
Towards the Future of Italy
Italy and Europe must act decisively to reduce their dependence on non-European technologies and promote the integration of the continental digital market. This will allow the development of appropriate industrial policies and the creation of technological players capable of competing on a global scale, ensuring the strategic autonomy needed to tackle future challenges.
In conclusion, digital security in Italy requires a holistic approach that involves people, technology, awareness, and international cooperation. Only by doing so will the country be able to maintain and strengthen its digital sovereignty in a world that is increasingly interconnected and threatened by new and complex technological challenges.
