Cybertech Europe, Europe’s largest event dedicated to cyber security, will be held in Rome from 10 to 11 May 2022. Organised in collaboration with Leonardo, the conference returns as a face-to-face event at the La Nuvola conference centre and brings together the most authoritative voices in the sector.
Now in its fifth edition, Cybertech aims to deepen the debate on the evolution of the threat from cyberspace, the fifth dimension of security along with land, air, sea and space – because a threat present in this domain represents a true multiplier of instability.
Security threats
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the protection of data and digital infrastructure plays a key role in our security. A ‘digital shield’ is needed to guarantee essential services in everyday life and to safeguard critical sectors such as energy, transport and communications,” commented Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo.
The use of hybrid strategies, increasingly complex cyber-attacks and massive disinformation campaigns by state and non-state actors are of deep concern to heads of state and governments worldwide. This alarm is also shared by companies in every sector and of every size, which see cyber-crime as a potential crisis point because it can lead to huge economic repercussions.
In its latest report, CLUSIT (the Italian Association for Information Security), estimates the global cost of cyber-crime in 2021 at $6 trillion. Damage is being caused by an increasing number of attacks: 2,049 serious attacks worldwide – almost 10% more than the previous year. These attacks are growing in absolute terms, but also in terms of their impact.
The possible effects of a cyber-attack include exfiltration of sensitive data, cyber extortion, reputational damage, and sabotage through to compromising strategic infrastructure and the defence capabilities of governments and institutions.
The dangers and criticality have increased as digital transformation, migration to the Cloud and the volume of Internet of Things (IoT) devices have extended the breadth of targets for cyber criminals.
During the two-day event in Rome, global leaders from industry and institutions will discuss the challenges and innovations that are affecting the world of defence, space, energy and mobility through dedicated focus sessions.
In Italy, according to the latest Annual Report for the Presidency of the Council on Security Information Policy, in 2021 hostile cyber activities targeted the infrastructure of public authorities in 69% of cases. Within private entities, the energy sector was most affected – experiencing 24% of actions, transport 18%, and telecommunications 12%.
“We need to cooperate to strengthen our defence capabilities and anticipate risks, while improving threat awareness. Europe and its institutions are also moving in this direction, incorporating actions to counter cyber threats into their defence strategies,” Profumo added.
The European Union is determined to defend its security. The protection of data and digital infrastructure is at the top of the EU agenda. As part of the Digital Europe Program for the period 2021-2027, the EU has committed to invest €1.6 billion in cyber security capabilities for public authorities, businesses and individuals.
Security is also a pillar of the Strategic Compass, and in two Directives – NIS2, which classifies potential entities subject to attacks in essential and important sectors, and CER, dedicated to the resilience of critical entities against physical threats. In addition, there is the Cyber Resilience Act, with which the Commission intends to give greater prominence and uniformity to the issue of cyber protection within the Union.