Table of contents
- What is CSIRT and why is it fundamental in cyber security?
- The role in incident management
- The network of national CSIRTs and international cooperation
- Incident management at the national level
- Regulatory impacts and future prospects
What is CSIRT, and why is it fundamental in cyber security?
CSIRT, an acronym for Computer Security Incident Response Team, is a critical entity in managing cyber security incidents and protecting against cyber threats. It is a specialized unit that intervenes in the event of cyber incidents, providing technical support, coordinating responses, and promoting information sharing among stakeholders.
In Italy, CSIRT Italia is the national reference point for addressing risks related to cyberattacks, ensuring the operational continuity of critical infrastructures and essential services.
The role in incident management
Established under Article 15 of Legislative Decree No. 138 of September 4, 2024, CSIRT Italia is a cornerstone of national cyber security. Its primary function is to manage cyber security incidents for critical sectors defined in the decree’s annexes.
Responsibilities include:
- Continuous monitoring of cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
- Coordinating information exchange between national and international actors.
- Issuing alerts and bulletins in the case of imminent risks.
- Collaborating with competent NIS authorities to improve the resilience of public administration and strategic infrastructures.
Through a secure and resilient communication network, CSIRT Italia serves as a single point of contact for incident reporting and data sharing with other national CSIRTs in EU member states and organizations in third countries.
The network of national CSIRTs and international cooperation
Cyber security knows no borders. For this reason, CSIRT Italia is an integral part of the national CSIRT network as outlined in Article 20 of Legislative Decree No. 138. This network facilitates:
- Data sharing on emerging vulnerabilities.
- Mutual assistance among EU member states to mitigate the effects of cyber incidents.
- Collaboration with Computer Emergency Response Teams from other nations to strengthen global defenses.
Interaction with the European Union Agency for Cyber Security (ENISA) is essential to share standards and best practices, ensuring a coordinated approach to protecting critical infrastructures and services.
Incident management at the national level
One of CSIRT Italia’s main objectives is to ensure a high level of availability for its services. This entails:
- Using secure information systems and backup facilities to guarantee operational continuity.
- Responding promptly to incident reports from public administrations or operators in critical sectors.
- Implementing preventive measures, such as proactive network scanning to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
CSIRT Italia’s approach is based on a rigorous risk analysis, allowing priorities to be set and resource use optimized.
Regulatory impacts and future prospects
The 2024 legislative decree further strengthened CSIRT Italia’s role, allocating dedicated resources and promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors. With a budget of €2 million annually starting in 2025, CSIRT Italia aims to enhance its technical capabilities and consolidate international relationships.
In the future, CSIRT Italia will work to:
- Promote common standards for incident management.
- Improve coordinated disclosure of vulnerabilities, avoiding duplication of efforts.
- Actively collaborate with the private sector to anticipate and mitigate emerging cyber threats.
Questions and answers
- What is CSIRT?
It is the Computer Security Incident Response Team, a unit dedicated to managing cyber incidents and protecting against cyber threats. - What is the role of CSIRT Italia?
It coordinates national-level responses to cyber incidents and facilitates information exchange between public and private entities. - What is the difference between CSIRT and CERT?
CERT is similar to CSIRT but focuses more on operational activities. CSIRT also has coordination and strategic responsibilities at the national level. - How does information exchange with CSIRT Italia work?
Through a secure and resilient network, it facilitates data sharing among national and international actors. - Is CSIRT Italia only for public administration?
No, it also supports private entities operating in critical sectors defined by NIS regulations. - What is a cyber incident?
A cyber incident is an event that compromises the security, availability, or integrity of information systems and data. - What are the objectives of the national CSIRT network?
To ensure European coordination to mitigate risks and share information about cyber threats and vulnerabilities. - How are priorities in incident management determined?
CSIRT Italia uses a risk-based approach to determine which incidents require immediate attention. - What relationships does CSIRT Italia have with third countries?
It cooperates with similar structures in third countries to share information and provide mutual assistance. - What does Legislative Decree No. 138 establish?
The decree defines CSIRT Italia as the national body responsible for managing cyber security incidents and details its functions.
