IT attacks grow by 60%. Italy and Europe strengthen cybersecurity, defense and space to guarantee strategic safety
With cyber attacks in dizzying increase it is necessary to protect yourself. This was discussed to the general states on defense, space and cybersecurity, organized by the European Parliament and the European Commission in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). The event, which was held in Frascati on Friday, therefore dealt with the theme of strengthening European strategic autonomy in defense, cybersicacy and space.
The NATO alarm
The cross -section that emerges is not very encouraging. According to 2025 data provided by the NATO Excellence Center for Cyber defense, hybrid attacks against critical infrastructures “have increased by 60 percent compared to the previous year”. This was announced by the president of the NATO military committee, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. Who warned: “Cyberspazio is today the first daily combat line of the strategic competition”.
The data in Italy
To take stock of the situation in our country was the Minister of the Interior, Matteo planted. He pointed out that “only in the first semester of 2025, at the central level, the National Computer Crime Center for the protection of critical infrastructures managed 532 IT attacks, of which 363 directed to critical infrastructures or operators of essential services”, while “on the territory the attacks faced by the cybernetic security operational nuclei have been over 5000 with 72 subjects investigated”.
Plantedi then stressed that the “misinformation” is “a weapon in the hands of hostile actors: alongside the States, organized groups also act by economic interests and terrorist organizations”. Consequently, the “plurality of characters” who operate in this context “makes it difficult to clearly attribute the responsibility for targeted attacks and responses”. It goes without saying that the defense must consider the protection of the digital space.
Moreover, in the sights of the cyberattacchi there are also the great events: “Just think of the Paris Olympic Games of 2024, the target of denigrating campaigns and attempts to generate insecurity in the public by proposing the risk of possible violent and terrorist acts” recalled the minister. This is why attention is high towards the Milan-Cortina 2026 winter Olympics, where “a primary objective will be the protection of the digital space”.
The space sector as a flywheel of competitiveness
The “space sector” becomes “fundamental to guarantee our security” said the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. But this also translates into “a flywheel of competitiveness”. Therefore, added the vice premier: “The space is central in the growth diplomacy strategy that I put at the center of my mandate to encourage exports”. Therefore, it is “busy” to consolidate the partnerships relating to the space spatial area, together with the Italian space agency and other European partners.
A European Law on space
The Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, then revealed that “Italy is contributing with the EU Commission to carry out a European law” precisely on the space since “it has become an element of contest fundamental for the defense”. It is crucial to ensure “a strategic autonomy of our continent”: with Europe that “must build its own domain in space”, Italy “is available to make its own contribution, but as a country protagonist of European space policy” warned Urso.
The minister also expressed himself on drones, intended as “a necessity for defense and economics” with Italy that “can also become protagonist in this field”.
