Politics · Italy · 23 hrs ago
Italy pushes cyber defence plan and safeguards against election interference
Italy’s governing majority is pressing Parliament to advance a plan for about 1,200 military cyber specialists as cyberattacks and other hybrid threats grow.
The defence bill would put these specialists in the armed forces and establish a joint training centre for cyber combat and countering hybrid threats.
Cybersecurity responsibilities are currently spread across the armed forces, intelligence agencies, police and the national cybersecurity agency.
The bill is being examined by the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, which is expected to finish reviewing amendments next Tuesday, with a Senate vote planned for December.
Separately, three bills propose safeguards against foreign election interference, including measures to monitor election activity and secure digital communications.
The parties hope to combine those proposals into one text and advance it before the government’s budget bill reaches the Senate.
Italy’s governing majority is pressing for faster action on cyber defence measures and safeguards against foreign election interference.
A defence bill would add about 1,200 trained cyber specialists to the armed forces.
The bill would make the chief of the Defence General Staff the Defence cyber authority and create a joint cyber training centre.
Three bills on a proposed “democratic shield” are before the Senate, aiming to protect elections from foreign interference.
The proposals come as cyber responsibilities remain divided among several government bodies.
- Who
- Italy’s government majority and several political parties are pressing for cyber defence and election safeguards.
- What
- Proposals include about 1,200 military cyber specialists and a “democratic shield” to protect elections from foreign interference.
- When
- ANSA reported on the issue on November 8, 2026. The defence bill was approved by the Council of Ministers last summer.
- Where
- Italy, with the bills under consideration in the Senate.
- Why
- To strengthen national cyber defence and protect elections from possible foreign interference.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Italy sought to establish a coordinating structure through the National Cybersecurity Agency.
Azione presented the first Senate bill for a “democratic shield.
The Council of Ministers approved a bill to strengthen and adapt national defence capabilities.
Forza Italia added a bill on election safeguards.
ANSA reported calls to accelerate cyber defence measures and election safeguards.
The Senate committee is expected to finish reviewing amendments to the defence bill.
A Senate vote on the defence bill is expected.
- Military cyber specialists
- About 1,200 planned
- Defence bill
- Approved by the Council of Ministers last summer
- Defence cyber authority
- Chief of the Defence General Staff
- Election safeguard proposals
- Three bills in the Senate
- National Cybersecurity Agency
- Established in 2021 as part of a coordination effort
What people are saying
stop “chasing threats and start anticipating them
the emergency must be addressed at several levels
aims to make the military instrument more modern, integrated, technologically advanced