Fast Facts

• The 23rd Forum ICT Security was held in Rome on November 19–20, 2023.
• Panels explored innovation, new EU cybersecurity laws, and the impact of AI and quantum computing.
• Industry leaders warned of regulatory overload and called for “technological consciousness.”
• The NIS2 Directive was a hot topic, with experts discussing compliance and ecosystem accountability.
• Attendees included government agencies, private sector giants, and top researchers.

Rome’s Digital Crucible: A Gathering at the Crossroads of Cyber Defense

Picture the Auditorium della Tecnica in Rome: a modern arena, humming with anticipation as Italy’s digital defenders, corporate titans, and academic minds converge. This is not just another conference - this is the 23rd Forum ICT Security, a high-stakes rendezvous for those standing guard over Europe’s digital fortresses.

The event opened with a dramatic roundtable on “Cybersecurity, Innovation, Governance, and Future Scenarios.” The message was clear: the pace of technological change is relentless, and so are the threats. Raffaele Boccardo (BV Tech) called for a shared “technological consciousness” across Italy and Europe - a cultural shift as much as a technical one. Alessandra Michelini (Telsy) urged for deeper dialogue between all stakeholders, while Antonio Maria Tambato (AgID) warned of “regulatory paralysis”: too many rules can immobilize, rather than empower, organizations. Luca Tagliaretti (ECCC) reminded the audience that defending digital values is now a matter of national identity.

NIS2 and the Expanding Battlefield

On day two, the spotlight shifted to the European Union’s NIS2 Directive - a sweeping law aimed at raising the bar for digital security across member states. Elsa Catalano (Engineering Group) and other experts hammered home the need for a holistic “ecosystem” approach: cyber defense no longer stops at your company’s firewall but must ripple through every supplier and partner. Legal minds like Ilaria Curti (Portolano Cavallo) highlighted how existing compliance frameworks can help organizations adapt, while Nicolò Rivetti di Val Cervo (National Cybersecurity Agency) detailed how Italy is racing to support companies in this regulatory maze.

The NIS2 Directive, much like the GDPR before it, is forcing a reckoning. It expands the definition of “critical infrastructure” and imposes stricter reporting, accountability, and governance requirements. For businesses, it’s both a headache and a wake-up call: cyber risk is no longer theoretical, but a daily operational reality.

AI, Quantum Threats, and the Evolving Risk Landscape

Beyond compliance, the forum dove into the next wave of threats. Artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword - it’s a double-edged sword, promising smarter defenses but also enabling more sophisticated attacks. And looming on the horizon: quantum computing, a technology that could shatter today’s encryption like glass. Researchers and industry leaders exchanged fresh data and debated strategies, underscoring the need for constant adaptation.

This is not Italy’s first cybersecurity rodeo. In recent years, attacks on critical infrastructure - hospitals, energy grids, even government agencies - have surged. Reports from ENISA and the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency confirm: the threat landscape is evolving, and the stakes keep rising.

Conclusion: Building a United Cyber Front

As the lights dimmed on the forum, one message echoed: cybersecurity is no longer the sole domain of IT departments. It is a national, even continental, imperative - requiring shared vision, relentless innovation, and, above all, collaboration. In the digital age, the strength of a society’s defenses is measured not by its walls, but by the unity and vigilance of those who stand watch.

WIKICROOK

• NIS2 Directive: The NIS2 Directive is an EU law requiring critical sectors and their suppliers to strengthen cybersecurity and report serious cyber incidents.
• Quantum Computing: Quantum computing uses quantum physics to solve complex problems much faster than traditional computers, thanks to special units called qubits.
• Compliance: Compliance means following laws and industry standards, like GDPR, to protect data, maintain trust, and avoid regulatory penalties.
• Critical Infrastructure: Critical infrastructure includes key systems - like power, water, and healthcare - whose failure would seriously disrupt society or the economy.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence (AI) enables computers to perform tasks such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving, which typically require human intelligence.