Italy, which is among the most important players in the world cyber market, can provide Qatar with a full range of cyber and defence protection, in addition to the expertise by leading Italian companies in the field of cybersecurity, Angelo Tofalo, Italian Undersecretary of the Minister of Defense has said yesterday.

Tofalo is leading a high-level Italian government and business delegation currently attending the Qitcom 2019. He was also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Assistant Undersecretary for Cybersecurity at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) Dr Khalid Al Hashmi and an official from the Ministry of Interior’s Cybersecurity Department, to discuss developing cybersecurity cooperation between Qatar and Italy.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the workshop ‘Italian Cyberprotection of the Defense Sector and of Critical Infrastructures’, which was held as part of Qitcom 2019, Tofalo, who opened the workshop, said Italy can help Qatar protect its infrastructures, including its transportation infrastructures, military boats, and borders. Italian businesses can also help provide security solutions for the stadiums which will be used for the upcoming Fifa World Cup 2022, he added.

“We have good relationship in defense with Qatar. We want to exchange experience and train together also in cybersecurity. We can offer greater assistance to Qatar in this field,” added Tofalo, who also expressed his admiration for the wise leadership in Qatar.

Italian Ambassador to Qatar Pasquale Salzano reiterated that Italy can provide Qatar with both its political commitment on cybersecurity, as well as expertise from major international Italian companies.

“Italian industry is experiencing a robust growth in these sectors and can offer cutting-edge technology innovation,” added Salzano.

During the workshop, the Italian cybersecurity national guide was distributed to the participants. The publication provides an overview of the Italian cybersecurity architecture as well as new cybersecurity strategy, governance, and cyber-related economic trends.

Speaking at the workshop, Carmine America, Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for security issues, said that the cost of cybercrime worldwide is expected to exceed $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015. The global cybersecurity market size is also expected to grow from over $137bn of investments in 2015 to more than $248bn by 2023.

Prof. Roberto Baldoni, Director of the Italian Cybersecurity Management Board at the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted the Italian cybersecurity strategy, which provides guidelines for collaboration among both private and public stakeholders, as well as with academia and research. This model not only boosts public-private partnership and fosters cybersecurity culture, but also supports international cooperation, he added.

From 2017 to date, Italian companies producing cybersecurity solutions have increased by over 300 percent from 700 units to over 2,800. The Italian information security solutions market accounted for more than €1bn in 2018. About 88 percent of Italian companies dedicated a specific budget to cybersecurity in 2018, with Italian firms increasingly perceiving cybersecurity as a core business requirement.

The workshop, which was held in the region for the first time, after being conducted in London and Washington, showcased the cybersecurity and cyberdefense solutions by top Italian firms; including Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group, Terna, Intesa Sanpaolo, STMicroelectronics, Leonardo, Fincantieri, ELETTRONICA Group, and Telsy.
 

Source: the peninsula qatar