The growing relevance of the cyber domain in international relations has prompted more and more governments to integrate defence and attack. Italy is taking a significant step, following the NATO trend. With a new bill, the Armed Forces will be able to hire private hackers and specialists to conduct offensive and defensive digital operations. The move recognises that modern warfare is not only about missiles or drones, but also about controlling critical infrastructure and public perception.

From the defensive model to the offensive paradigm

Until now, Italian cybersecurity was mainly managed by Palazzo Chigi and the National CybersecurityAgency. The bill now gives Defence the possibility to act autonomously also in peacetime. The main objectives are to protect institutions and citizens, to strengthen the national shield against attacks under the threshold of war, and to conduct offensive actions against hostile actors if necessary.

Italian cyber-warfare units

The Comando Interforze per le Operazioni Cibernetiche (CIOC), established in 2020, plans and conducts Italian operations in the cyber domain. Each Armed Force has its own cyber security nuclei. The 28th Pavia Regiment in Pesaro specialises in Information Operations and cognitive warfare. TheAgency for National Cybersecurity (ACN) works closely with Defence and Intelligence. Minister Crosetto reiterated the objective: to create a true national ‘cyber weapon‘, integrated and capable of dealing with complex threats in a coordinated manner, aligned with international practices.

Cognitive warfare: the new battlefield

The topic of cognitive warfare was the focus of the ‘Shabtai Shavit World Summit‘ in Tel Aviv, organised by Reichman University. Analyst Alberto Pagani explained that the battlefield is people’s minds, while the internet is the main vehicle of operation. Techniques such as social networks, microtargeting and artificial intelligence are used to manipulate public opinion. Russia and China, thanks to their total internal control and external aggression, are considered to be in the vanguard. Hamas is also used by foreign actors, such asIran, who conceal their actions behind the narrative of Palestinian suffering.

Crosetto’s hearing in the Defence Commission

At the end of January, Minister Guido Crosetto presented the guidelines on cyber defence to the IV Defence Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. He stressed the urgency of a strong synergy between civil, military, and industrial sectors. Crosetto also warned of the risks associated with the use ofartificial intelligence. This technology is crucial for national security, but it facilitates the creation and dissemination of manipulated content that is difficult to distinguish from authentic content.

A global challenge

The Italian case is part of a broader international picture.MI6 launched Silent Courier, a portal on the dark web to recruit Russian informants. The CIA has intensified its influence campaigns, while NATO is strengthening the Baltic front. Cyber warfare is now a pillar of modern geopolitics. Italy, by equipping itself with attack hackers and a national cyber weapon, is preparing for a permanent battlefield where security, politics and economics are intertwined.