by InTrieste
Interview: FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga
Government officials, cybersecurity experts, and industry leaders gathered on Monday in Trieste for the sixth stop of the national roadshow “Accendiamo la cybersicurezza. Proteggiamo le nostre imprese” (Let’s Turn on Cybersecurity. Let’s Protect Our Businesses), an initiative aimed at bolstering cybersecurity awareness and resilience among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The event, promoted by Italy’s Department for Information and Publishing in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), focused on raising digital awareness and equipping businesses with the tools and knowledge to navigate the increasing threats posed by cyberattacks.
“It is essential to guarantee the highest possible level of protection when we talk about cybersecurity,” said Massimiliano Fedriga, president of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. “But there is no doubt that the educational component plays a key role. Events like this one are crucial in building awareness around how we approach digital tools and platforms.”
Fedriga underscored the importance of individual digital literacy, noting that protecting one’s own data and behavior online ultimately safeguards entire organizations. He also emphasized the challenges SMEs face compared to larger corporations, which are often equipped with dedicated cybersecurity infrastructures.
In response, the region has made notable investments: €4 million directly allocated to cybersecurity and an additional €10 million to support digital transformation in local municipalities. Fedriga also highlighted the establishment of a dedicated cybersecurity structure at the University of Udine, supported by regional funding.
“Public institutions must help support small and medium enterprises,” he added, citing the role of Insiel, the region’s in-house digital services company, as a key player in assisting businesses with both cybersecurity and energy efficiency improvements.
The digital transformation of the public health sector was also identified as a priority. The regional government has earmarked €130 million over the next three years to digitize healthcare services and improve citizen access through new technologies.
Regional Councillor for Higher Education and Research Alessia Rosolen also spoke at the event, stressing the region’s commitment to collaboration with ACN and its long-standing engagement with the scientific community on cybersecurity issues.
“Digital sustainability rests on three pillars: awareness, information, and communication,” Rosolen said. “Understanding the ever-evolving technological landscape is essential—and intelligence must evolve with it.”
Rosolen pointed to Friuli Venezia Giulia’s strategic geographic location and the role of local universities and the Port of Trieste in advancing projects that connect regional logistics networks to future quantum communication systems. She also referenced Israel as a model of long-term strategic vision in cybersecurity, having successfully attracted 20% of global cybersecurity investments.
The councillor also announced a new agreement under the European Social Fund, signed with Italy’s Ministry of Universities and the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, to support innovation and digitalization among regional SMEs. The initiative involves prominent local innovation hubs, including Area Science Park, the Alto Adriatico Technology Hub, and Tec4I FVG.
Vice Director of ACN Nunzia Ciardi emphasized the cultural dimension of cybersecurity, noting a rise in awareness among SMEs but cautioning that “investing in a culture of digital security is essential.” She added, “Only through greater awareness can we strengthen the resilience of our economic and social systems in the face of evolving threats.”
The Trieste event marked another step in Italy’s broader strategy to safeguard its digital infrastructure, emphasizing both investment and education as twin pillars of a secure digital future.
