Topic: Future of Cyber Warfare
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Esperanza Cirilo
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Italy position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
Security in cyberspace is a severe problem for all modern countries. Italy understands the importance of civil liberties and individual privacy but that a balance must be found to protect state security as well. Italy also understands the severity and implications of cyber warfare and terrorism in all its complexity. Lt.Col. Monaci, Observatory for National Security, has proposed a complete vulnerability assessment of all Italian cyber data and development currently harbored by the government. Italy feels that this is a necessary component and to be recommended to all nations as a first step in cyber defense.
Italy is part of the AFCEA and hosted a national conference to address the rising threat of cyber warfare. The discussion was opened up for businesses to give solutions to various problems in cyber defense. Italy understands that financial motivation can be great for innovation and recommends that governments work with companies to help keep an edge to emerging risks.
Italian cyber security operations are organized between the military, police, and functional government. There is no cohesive department currently to connect the those departments but the Italian government hopes to create two cyber divisions, one for foreign and one for domestic security and threats. Cyber terrorists would be categorized within those two divisions. Foreign threats would be under military jurisdiction. Just as traditional acts of terrorism and espionage are dealt with on a case by case basis, so would cyber terrorism. Italy believes that cyber attacks are to be seen just as an attack on land, air, or sea. If perpetrated by nations, or individuals, appropriate political action would be taken on a case by case basis.
The AFCEA meeting in Rome of this year saw Admiral Cristiano Bettini, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian MoD, give specific qualifications for what legislation regarding cyber security should have. Firstly, he recommended terminology be standardized and solutions be within the cost budgets already deemed for defense. Cyber warfare means staying ahead in technological advances so a division for development in the field is necessary.
Currently, Italy is cooperating with NATO to “test the effectiveness and efficiency of collaborative cyber defense procedures and capabilities” as stated by NATO. Italy believes international cooperation is essential in the protection from cyber threats. Italy hopes to establish our cyber defense through the Cyber Coalition of NATO to a possible cost benefit.
