By Monsi A. Serrano
Italian Ambassador to the Philippines Davide Giglio has warned that rapidly evolving cyber threats are emerging as one of the Indo-Pacific’s most pressing security challenges, calling for stronger international cooperation to boost digital resilience.
Speaking at the seminar “Indo-Pacific: Cyber Domain as the New Frontier of Security,” Giglio stressed that cybersecurity has become a core issue in national defense planning and economic stability, not just a technical concern.
The ambassador said that amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex and difficult to detect, and now demand close coordination between governments, industry, and academia. He underscored that cybersecurity today is no longer a purely technical issue but a strategic pillar of national security and economic stability.
Giglio pointed to the “very positive momentum” in defense cooperation between Italy and the Philippines, highlighting the landmark defense agreement signed on February 14 on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The pact is designed to deepen collaboration across several areas, including cybersecurity, and signals Italy’s intent to play a larger role in Indo-Pacific security.
“Cyber security requires a holistic approach that combines technical and industrial capacity, strong governance, academic engagement, and the promotion of digital literacy,” the envoy said, framing cyber resilience as a whole-of-society effort.
He warned that cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable, targeting not only governments but also businesses and essential services. In Italy, he said, the industrial and manufacturing sector accounted for more than one-third of cyber attacks in 2025, a trend that exposes the growing vulnerability of companies, including small and medium enterprises.
To confront these risks, Italy has strengthened its cyber defense architecture through institutions such as the National Cybersecurity Agency, established in 2021 to implement the country’s national cybersecurity strategy and coordinate efforts to anticipate and counter cyber threats.
Giglio also showcased Italy’s growing capabilities in electronic warfare and defense technology, anchored in its strong industrial base and specialized small and medium enterprises. He cited Italian defense companies such as Leonardo as key players in advanced military technologies and international defense programs.
Among these initiatives is the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation fighter jet development project jointly pursued by Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The program reflects Italy’s broader push to strengthen multi-domain defense capabilities, including in the cyber and electromagnetic spectrum.
The seminar also featured insights from Stefano Bellagio of Sapienza University of Rome, who has extensively studied security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, particularly tensions in the Taiwan Strait and their economic implications.
Giglio said the event aimed to foster deeper discussion and collaborative efforts among partners in addressing emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, with cyberspace increasingly at the heart of strategic competition.
“The cyber dimension will be an essential part of the broader platform of cooperation that Italy and the Philippines intend to build together,” he said.
The seminar gathered policymakers, scholars, and members of the defense and diplomatic community to examine how cyber capabilities are reshaping security in the Indo-Pacific region and how international cooperation can help address emerging threats.