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In recent years, Italy has confirmed itself as one of the main targets of cybercriminals globally
According to the Clusit 2025 Report, our country has suffered 10.1% of global cyber-attacks, a figure that, although slightly decreasing compared to 2023, highlights an increase of 15.2% compared to the previous year. The cybersecurity landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with increasingly sophisticated attacks that are accessible even to users without advanced skills. One of the key elements behind the increase in attacks is the spread of “As-a-Service” models, i.e. hacking platforms and tools sold or rented on the dark web. This phenomenon has made cybercrime more accessible and dangerous, allowing anyone to conduct devastating attacks without having high technical skills. Cybercrime is now responsible for almost 90% of incidents, with a 40% increase in criminal attacks in our country compared to 2023. At the same time, hacktivism actions are also growing, with a global increase of 16% and a particularly strong impact in Italy: 29% of attacks of this type hit Italian organizations.
The sectors most affected in Italy and in the world
Cybercriminals attack different sectors indiscriminately, but some are particularly vulnerable. In Italy, the News & Multimedia sector suffered the highest number of attacks (18%), followed by the manufacturing sector and multiple targets (both at 16%). The government sector was also heavily hit, with 10% of cyber-attacks targeting public institutions and local administrations.
Globally, however, the increase in attacks mainly involved:
Government, military and armed forces sector (+45%)
Healthcare (+19%)
Wholesale and retail trade (+92%)
Manufacturing and logistics (over 25% of global attacks hit Italian companies)
These data confirm the growing vulnerability of essential services and critical infrastructures, making it necessary to strengthen defence strategies. Cybercriminals continue to perfect their attack strategies, exploiting system vulnerabilities and human weaknesses. Among the most widespread techniques we find:
Malware and ransomware: malware remains the main threat, responsible for over a third of global attacks. Ransomware, in particular, increased by 11% compared to the previous year.
Phishing and social engineering: with an increase of 33%, cyber scams based on human deception continue to be a winning strategy for criminals.
DDoS attacks: Globally, these attacks increased by 36%, while in Italy there was a decrease of the same percentage, suggesting an improvement in the defences adopted.
Vulnerability exploitation: the use of known and zero-day vulnerabilities represented 15% of attacks, highlighting the need for constant updates and advanced prevention strategies.
Europe recorded a 67% increase in attacks in 2024, with over two-thirds of global cyber incidents concentrated between the European and American continents. Italy, in particular, showed a percentage of high-impact attacks higher than the global average (53% versus 50%).
This data suggests a greater exposure of our country to less sophisticated but more frequent attacks, making it urgent to strengthen defensive strategies. The growing attention of cybercriminals towards Italy could be linked to the accelerated digitalization of many infrastructures and the low awareness of cybersecurity in some sectors. The Clusit 2025 Report launches an important warning: by 2027, malware will be powered by artificial intelligence, exponentially increasing their ability to evade security systems and strike in a targeted manner. Cyber weapons will become increasingly powerful tools, capable of paralyzing entire countries and destabilizing global economies.
To counter these threats, it is essential to invest in training cybersecurity experts, adopt advanced protection systems and raise awareness among companies and citizens about the risks of cyberspace. Italy must accelerate the adoption of more stringent security policies, promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen the country’s resilience against cyber-attacks. Italy is facing an unprecedented challenge in the fight against cybercrime. The increase in cyberattacks and the growing sophistication of threats require timely and coordinated action to protect infrastructure, companies and citizens. Only through an integrated approach, based on prevention, technological innovation and international collaboration, will it be possible to successfully address the future of cybersecurity.
Alessandro Fiorentino