Inside Italy’s Cyber War Room: How the Farnesina Fights Digital Saboteurs

Rome – It looks more like the set of a techno-thriller than a government office: banks of monitors, the constant hum of data, and a handful of cyber experts scrutinizing every digital blip. But this is no fiction. Deep inside the Farnesina - Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs - a new “Cyber Room” has become the nerve center for defending the nation’s diplomatic outposts from a rising tide of digital assaults.

Last week, a coordinated cyberattack targeted more than a hundred Italian diplomatic websites worldwide - including the high-profile embassy in Washington. Thanks to the newly operational Cyber Room’s vigilant response, the attack was neutralized with zero disruption. “We protect our embassies, consular services abroad, and even critical Olympic systems,” Tajani declared at the inauguration, framing the move as a direct response to the new reality of “hybrid warfare.”

So, what exactly is unfolding behind those secured doors? The Farnesina’s Cyber Room is the home of its Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT), a specialized unit tasked with monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber incidents. The room is manned around the clock, blending both reactive defense - such as fending off active attacks - and proactive strategies like hunting for vulnerabilities lurking in the ministry’s digital infrastructure.

The statistics are staggering: since the start of 2026, the team has dealt with over 150,000 attacks, including a barrage of DDoS assaults designed to overwhelm web services, and an avalanche of phishing campaigns that have spammed the ministry with millions of malicious messages. Every incident is analyzed, reported internally, and met with a coordinated technical response - patching holes, updating systems, and keeping the sensitive machinery of diplomacy running smoothly.

This isn’t just about keeping Italian government websites online. The Cyber Room forms a crucial node in Italy’s national cyber defense, linking up with the country’s central CSIRT under the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN). The project, fully funded by the government’s digital transformation drive, is a showcase for how modern states must evolve: blending technology, vigilance, and cross-border cooperation to defend against invisible, ever-mutating threats.

As the lines between digital and physical conflict blur, the Farnesina’s new war room stands as both a warning and a model. Cyberattacks are no longer the stuff of spy novels - they are a daily reality for diplomats and governments worldwide. Italy’s response is clear: constant vigilance, relentless adaptation, and a commitment to staying one step ahead in the digital shadows.

WIKICROOK

• CSIRT: A CSIRT is a team that monitors, analyzes, and responds to cybersecurity threats and incidents to protect an organization’s digital assets.
• DDoS Attack: A DDoS attack is when many computers flood a service with fake requests, overwhelming it and making it slow or unavailable to real users.
• Phishing: Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers send fake messages to trick users into revealing sensitive data or clicking malicious links.
• Hybrid Warfare: Hybrid warfare mixes military, cyber, and information tactics to destabilize opponents, allowing states or groups to cause disruption without direct conflict.
• PNRR: PNRR is Italy’s plan for EU recovery funds, focusing on digitalization, cybersecurity, and resilience to modernize the nation’s infrastructure and services.