(Finance) – AIIP – Italian Internet Provider Association expresses satisfaction for the approval, within the “DL Aiuti” of a standard, Article 37, which deals with the issue of the reaction to cyber attacks by the Italian state. At the same time, points out that the decree has completely neglected the issue of the impact of possible electricity rationing on Internet services and therefore on the resilience of the entire national infrastructure. AIIP writes it in a note.
Thanks to the efforts made by the operators, independently and without advertising, the Italian networks – we read – already enjoy a high level of protection. Rather, the breaches and damage resulting from cyber attacks recently covered in the press depend on the lack of attention of large institutional users and companies to securing their systems, and widespread deficiencies in workforce security training.
AIIP therefore notes “an erroneous definition of the priorities for the security and resilience of telecommunication networks. “He would have had to face in time the real danger that next winter’s energy rationing represents for the operational continuity of the Italian network”.
It is known – continues the association – “that in the last twenty years there has been a conversion of generation plants towards methane, that Italy is a large importer of electricity and that any interruption or further reduction of flow of gaseous hydrocarbons from Russia would certainly cause problems of electric rationing “.
Without careful planning of the distribution of electricity and a plan to safeguard transmission POPs and sensitive sites for telecommunications operators, the systems that carry the data of fixed and mobile networks may not be able to provide services, causing serious direct and indirect damages that are difficult to predict.
“We are quite perplexed – says the president of AIIP, Giovanni Zorzoni, – that on such an important issue as network security and the fight against hostile actions, operators have not been involved in the least. The result, as the facts show, is a a law that deals with virtual issues, but which demonstrates a lack of understanding of the much more concrete dangers we are facing. AIIP – continues Zorzoni – has never failed to give its support and its findings to the institutions. If even in this case we were been involved, we could certainly have contributed to identifying priorities and offering concrete solutions “.
Taking note of the missed opportunity by Parliament with the “Aid” decree, AIIP concludes the nota – “asks the Government for the immediate and urgent establishment of a discussion table to identify concrete and immediately practicable solutions to manage the impact of the energy crisis on electronic communication services and those of the information society “.