Russia, CSD: ‘Serious risks from hybrid and cyber threats, infrastructure must be monitored’

Rome, 17 Nov. (LaPresse) – “The Council addressed the issue of the hybrid threat from Russia and other hostile foreign actors as a complex challenge for the security of Europe and Italy, as well as for the integrity of democratic processes. The Council highlighted the serious risks of a constantly growing threat, based on the pervasiveness and spread of offensive activities founded on the speed, volume and ubiquity of digital technology, as well as the malicious use of artificial intelligence. The Council expressed concern about the manipulation of the cognitive space through disinformation campaigns, interference in democratic processes, the construction of polarising narratives and the exploitation of digital platforms to weaken trust in institutions and undermine social cohesion. This is what we read in the statement released by the Quirinale at the end of the Supreme Defence Council meeting. ‘This is accompanied by cyber operations that may target critical infrastructure, healthcare networks, financial systems and logistics platforms, with the aim of causing disruptions, delays, friction and systemic mistrust. The Council agreed on the need, also emphasised at European and Atlantic Alliance level, to maintain a high level of vigilance in protecting critical national infrastructure, in defending against cyber attacks and in the cognitive dimension. In addition to the traditionally known dimensions, there are now also the space domain and the underwater dimension, two areas whose importance is growing exponentially. Taken together, these threats represent a challenge that must be addressed with the necessary timeliness and capability, including through the development of new tools,’ the statement continues.