Deputy Minister Gavia and the annual intelligence report stress that safeguarding strategic assets is vital for national and European security. An upcoming EU Council meeting will further address measures to reinforce collective defence and reduce vulnerabilities in key sectors
A growing consensus… in Italy now underscores that national security is inextricably linked to protecting critical infrastructure.
- From energy grids to digital networks, vulnerabilities are under heightened scrutiny.
- Recent statements by Deputy Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Vannia Gava, the latest intelligence report, and discussions at an ECFR event—hosted in partnership with our sister website Formiche—have all highlighted this urgent shift in perspective.
Why it matters. As geopolitical threats evolve, Italy recognises the necessity of bolstering infrastructure security.
- This aligns with broader European efforts to build resilience against cyberattacks, foreign interference, and hybrid warfare.
- Protecting strategic assets is now seen as fundamental to ensuring both national and regional stability.
Linking defence and infrastructure. Deputy Minister Gavia has emphasised the strategic synergy between defence and infrastructure protection.
- “Any defence investments should also focus on the security of strategic energy infrastructure,” she stated, underscoring the importance of robust public-private collaboration.
- Key assets—such as gas and oil pipelines across the Mediterranean, submarine cables, regasification terminals, and electricity transmission networks—are increasingly vulnerable to cyber and physical threats, jeopardising Italy and Europe’s energy supply and economic stability.
Intelligence focus. The annual 2024 intelligence report reveals escalating risks tied to cyber espionage, supply chain vulnerabilities, and foreign influence operations targeting essential infrastructure.
- Hostile actors are increasingly honing in on these critical services, making infrastructure protection a cornerstone of national security.
Strategic discussions. Last month, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) hosted a high-level event in Warsaw that brought together policymakers and experts to discuss European infrastructure security.
- The forum focused on balancing national autonomy with collective defence efforts amid emerging threats.
What to watch. Today’s European Council meeting is set to address the EU’s common defence and strategic autonomy, with the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine as a backdrop.
- Key discussions will focus on how EU members plan to reinforce security mechanisms and reduce vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.