Italy has enacted a “Buy Transatlantic” measure for public procurement of ICT and cybersecurity systems tied to critical national infrastructure, granting preferential treatment to bids using technology from Italy, EU, NATO or like‑minded partners—positioning Rome between the US’s “Buy American” and the EU’s “Buy European” strategies
A new procurement paradigm. Italy’s government has approved a decree introducing “Buy Transatlantic” criteria in public contracts for IT goods and services connected to critical national infrastructure.
- Under the new rules, tenders will award bonus scores to offers that deploy cybersecurity technologies manufactured in Italy, EU member states, NATO countries, or other like-minded partners.
Why it matters. While the US advances its “Buy American” policy under the Trump administration and the EU readies a “Buy European” initiative under its Readiness 2030 plan, Italy’s “Buy Transatlantic” move bridges the two by favouring a broader Atlantic‑zone supply chain—potentially serving as a template for defence procurement.
- The legislation follows high‑profile incidents of Chinese technology infiltrating sensitive sites, ranging from surveillance cameras in courts and ministries to thermoscanners at the prime minister’s office, and the award of customs‑scanner contracts to China’s Nuctech.
Scope and categories. Published Monday in the Gazzetta Ufficiale, the decree specifies the equipment categories eligible for procurement bonuses when used within Italy’s Cybersecurity National Perimeter.
- These include: video surveillance and access‑control systems (including baggage and cargo scanners); VPN‑capable digital networking products, routers, modems (including satellite types), and switches; firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems; network storage and backup solutions; cloud services; drone‑control software
- Preference is extended to suppliers from the EU, NATO members, and “like‑minded” countries with collaboration agreements—namely Australia, South Korea, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
- The government retains authority to update the list of covered categories and beneficiary states, based on recommendations from public administrations and intelligence agencies, ensuring the framework evolves alongside emerging security needs.
