Increase in cyber attacks in the Italian healthcare sector

During 2024, Italy has witnessed a dramatic increase in cyber incidents in the healthcare sector, with 57 attacks recorded compared to 12 the previous year. This increase is not just a statistic, but a warning for the safety of human lives. The attacks have affected numerous facilities, hospitals and medical services, highlighting the vulnerability of a sector that is crucial for public health.

The words of Undersecretary Mantovano

During a conference on cybersecurity, the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Alfredo Mantovano, stressed the importance of addressing this issue. He recalled an incident that occurred in Ireland in 2021, where a cyber attack almost paralyzed the national health system. Mantovano warned that Italy is not immune to such threats and highlighted how the increase in incidents is partly due to an increased monitoring capacity by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN).

Corruption and Cybercrime: A Disturbing Parallel

The Undersecretary drew a parallel between cyber attacks and corruption crimes in Italy. He said that while it may seem that there is an increase in corruption, what is actually emerging is a greater capacity to detect and prosecute these crimes. The same principle applies to cyber crimes, where improved operation of the Acn and more effective coordination between the competent authorities have led to greater detection of unauthorized access and cyber attacks. However, the phenomenon is growing and is not limited to Italy.