ROME — Italy is preparing a new legal framework to formally establish a national military cyber domain, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to adapt its defense architecture to an increasingly digital security environment.
The draft legislation, expected to be examined by the government, draws a clearer line between civilian and military cyber responsibilities while strengthening the armed forces’ ability to plan and conduct defensive cyber operations.
Why it matters: Italy is giving cyber a more defined role within its national defense structure.
- The proposal aims to eliminate institutional overlap by clearly allocating responsibilities among military, civilian and intelligence authorities.
- The reform reflects Rome’s broader effort to modernize its defense posture against cyber and hybrid threats.
- The initiative also links operational capabilities with investments in military technology and research.
The big picture: The proposed legislation creates what Italian authorities define as a “cyber space of national interest” for defense and military security.
- The concept encompasses the digital infrastructure embedded in military platforms, systems and equipment, formally recognizing cyberspace as an operational domain requiring dedicated governance.
- Rather than reshuffling the entire national cybersecurity architecture, the bill focuses on clarifying roles. Existing responsibilities assigned to Italy’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), the Interior Ministry, the Postal Police and the intelligence community remain unchanged, while the Defense Ministry receives a clearly delineated military cyber mandate.
Zoom in: The proposal. Under the proposal, Italy’s Chief of Defense would become the ministry’s designated cyber authority, responsible for planning and directing defensive cyber operations both domestically and abroad, including during peacetime.
- The measure also reorganizes military intelligence by transforming the current Information and Security Department into a Joint Cyber Intelligence Command, a move intended to better integrate cyber capabilities into the armed forces’ operational structure.
- Another key element is the establishment of a joint training center dedicated to preparing military personnel to counter cyber and hybrid threats.
Investing in future capabilities. Beyond organizational reforms, the legislation introduces measures to support emerging defense technologies.
- The draft includes provisions governing the operational use of unmanned military systems and establishes a dedicated fund for military scientific and technological research, with an initial annual allocation of €10 million starting in 2026.
- Taken together, the operational, organizational and financial measures suggest a long-term effort to strengthen Italy’s cyber resilience while fostering indigenous technological capabilities.
The bottom line: The proposed legislation signals Italy’s intention to place cyber capabilities on a firmer institutional footing.
- By defining responsibilities, strengthening military command structures and investing in future technologies, Rome is seeking to build a more coherent and resilient defense posture for the digital age.
