On April 16, Rome hosted the fourth edition of the Innovation Cybersecurity Summit, a key event in the panorama of cyber security and defense, promoted by the National Association of Young Innovators (ANGI) and supported by various institutions, including the Office of European Parliament in Italy. This year, the event focused on “Perspectives and applications for new assets between cybersecurity, energy defense and aerospace”, gathering industry leaders and experts in a day of intense debates.
The summit took place in the elegant Italian Armed Forces Officers’ Club, attracting the attention of ministers, senior officials, and industry leaders, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of protecting critical sites in the digital age . The participation of Minister Guido Crosetto and Minister Adolfo Urso was important, as they emphasized the crucial role of technological innovation and the European Digital Innovation Hubs in strengthening cyber resilience.
An appointment that represents one of the main events dedicated to the world of defense and cyber security, which this year focused on the theme: “Perspectives and applications for new assets between cybersecurity, energy defense and aerospace”.
The Summit was promoted by the National Association of Young Innovators (ANGI), a point of reference for innovation in Italy, chaired by Gabriele Ferrieri (formerly ForbesU30) in collaboration with the Offices of the European Parliament in Italy and with the support of Alé Comunicazione. Sponsored by the following institutions and bodies: Representation of the European Commission in Italy, AIPSA, Women4Cyber, AIIC, AssoCiso, CyberArea, Agency for Digital Italy, Anitec Assinform, Assintel, AIAD, Order of Engineers of Rome, National Council of Industrial Experts, Academy of Legality and the 8th Infrastructure Department of the Italian Army.
“The new security paradigm, intimately connected to technological development, places at the center the need to understand, prevent and counter risks and threats in the cyber sector. This reality introduces a fundamental dualism: the opportunity/risk binomial. Technological innovation, although a powerful enabler, brings with it the risk of adopting new technologies without due preparation, exposing organizations and society to potential risks”. Minister Guido Crosetto declared in his message during the conference.
“The role of the European Digital Innovation Poles, of the highly specialized competence centers, will be central, also to ensure maximum dissemination, knowledge and training on the issues of the Nis2 directive and the Cyber Resilience Act, starting from the sectors most directly involved such as automotive, artificial intelligence, health. In this context, a strategic role is also played by the Aerospace supply chain, another Italian excellence, whose applications are fundamental in the cyber security sector.” Minister Adolfo Urso stated in his message during the conference. The Hon. Minardo, President of the Defense Commission of the Chamber, declared in his message during the conference: “A profile worthy of further study concerns the topic of training excellent personnel in the field of cyber defense and the need to identify forms of diffusion of cyber culture among the new generations. Lastly, the growing profiles of international importance connected to this delicate sector of national defense and the need/opportunity to conceive a concerted approach within the European countries and those belonging to the Atlantic Alliance cannot be overlooked”.
“We are honored by the great presence, participation and intervention of the main players in the defense world including institutions, companies and representatives of the academic world. Like ANGI, we hope that this moment of discussion will be useful for dialogue and debate on public safety and on investments aimed at enhancing the country’s ecosystem in which to relaunch the public-private partnership that we believe is fundamental for the economic and social development of Italy and of Europe”. Thus Gabriele Ferrieri President of ANGI.
Among the numerous opening speeches, that of the Deputy Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Valentino Valentini, together with some of the major representatives of the Armed Forces, national and European institutions, agencies and authorities of reference in the world of cyber, defense and innovation including: Giovanni Gagliano Gen. Div. Head of the VI IT, Cyber and Telecommunications Department, Defense General Staff; Gianluca Galasso Director of the Operations Service/ CSIRT Italy, National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN); Ivano Gabrielli Director of the Postal and Communications Police Service; Luca Monaco Gen. B. (EI) Space Operations Command; Vittorio Rizzi Deputy Director General of the Public Security Department, Central Director of the Criminal Police; Michele Sirimarco Division General of the Carabinieri – General Staff; Antonio Mancazzo, Gen. Com. Special Unit for Privacy Protection and Technological Fraud, Guardia di Finanza; General Vincenzo Falzarano, former Commander 3rd Logistics Command Division, Air Force; Antonino Minardo, President of the Defense Commission of the Chamber of Deputies; Ettore Rosato, Secretary COPASIR, Parliamentary Committee for Security of the Republic; Stefano Serva, Head of Space Program Security ESA, European Space Agency; Paolo Cestra, First Director of the State Police, Director of the II Division of the Traffic Police Service, Department of Public Security; Carlo Corazza, Director of the European Parliament Office in Italy; Massimiliano Capitanio, AGCOM Commissioner, Communications Guarantee Authority; Nicla Ivana Diomede, Director of the Cybersecurity and Urban Security Department, Roma Capitale; Nicola Vanin, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP); Ranieri Razzante, Member of the Artificial Intelligence Committee, Presidency of the Council; Gianni Amato, Senior Cybersecurity, CERT-AgID, Agency for Digital Italy; Daria Ebano, Sales Manager Central Public Administration, Microsoft; Luisa Franchina, President, Association of Experts in Critical Infrastructures; Linda Raimondo, TV commentator with “Missione Spazio Reloaded” and the series “Space to Ground” and already winner of the “Space Exploration Master” competition organized by ESA, European Space Agency Mariangela Dejana, Head of Public Affairs and Government Relations, D- Orbit. In the various panels, strategic issues for the country, also from a European perspective, were discussed together with the most relevant players and companies in the sector. Of particular importance is the contribution of the big names in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence and highly innovative companies, including: Microsoft Italia, Trend Micro, HWG Sababa, Olidata, A2A, Cyber Guru, Swag, Duskrise, Telsy, Ansaldo Energia, Fincantieri, Acea, Skybox Security, Smet, D-Orbit, Sidereus Space Dynamics. ANGI said it was honored by the great participation of the relevant institutions and companies for this important fourth edition of the Innovation Cybersecurity Summit. A moment of discussion of absolute importance to highlight the important perspectives and applications of new technologies for the world of Defence, cybersecurity and aerospace, combined with the delivery of the Manifesto that the young innovators delivered to the representatives of the Government and the Authorities designed as a contribution to the enhancement and protection of the critical infrastructures of the State, of the Security System of the Italian Republic and of Europe and finally, of the Defense and Cybersecurity ecosystem.