Cyber diplomacy is a concept that refers to the use of traditional diplomacy and digital tools to promote international cooperation, security and national interests in the context of information technology.
Cyber diplomacy is centred on bilateral and multilateral international cooperation aimed at sharing information on cyber security, preventing cyber-attacks, helping to build cyber capabilities in developing countries, and establishing a framework for the governance of cyberspace.
Italy promotes a free, secure and accessible cyberspace that respects human rights, in which international law is fully applicable, as set out in the National Document on International Law and Cyberspace.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is active on a wide range of fronts to advance its vision, promote Italian expertise and contribute to international stability, including through the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy: these range from traditional multilateral forums to the numerous informal coalitions between like-minded countries.
Tallinn Mechanism
The Tallinn Mechanismis an informal multilateral initiative established in 2023 with the aim of systematising and coordinating civilian assistance to Ukraine in the field of cybersecurity in response to the effects of the Russian aggression. Italy, through the MAECI, has joined the initiative alongside 13 other countries.
Today, Italy takes over the rotating Presidency of the Mechanism, which it will hold until December 2026. This leadership role reaffirms our country’s commitment to international cybersecurity, the stability of cyberspace and support for Ukraine facing the consequences of Russia’s aggression.
In this context, strengthening Ukraine’s civilian cyber capabilities contributes to collective national and European security. In 2025, Italy provided EUR 1 million for the development of projects in the Ternopil region and intends to renew this contribution in 2026 to support the Odessa region.
The Mechanism promotes public-private partnerships, and companies interested in contributing to the numerous projects can access the Catalogue.
Within the European Union
Cooperation between the European Union Member States is a key issue of great importance to Italy.
Among the priority actions that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation promotes within the EU and in coordination with other government departments, the protection of citizens and businesses, the promotion of dialogue with third countries, and capacity-building projects stand out.
In this context, Italy has helped to implement numerous initiatives, including:
- EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox: published in June 2017, it offers a collection of tools to systematise the possible diplomatic measures available to the EU to prevent or respond to malicious cyber activities, with a view to maintaining peace and stability in cyberspace;
- EU Cybersecurity Strategy: presented in 2020, it aims to strengthen cooperation and investment in cybersecurity, as well as to provide greater protection against the rise in cyber threats;
- EU Cyber Solidarity Act: provides for a European alert system, the mutual response to cyber-attacks, and the creation of a ‘reserve’ of incident response services;
- EU Action Plan on Cybersecurity and AI: published in July 2026, which aims to help Member States, entrepreneurs and public authorities to capitalise on the opportunities offered by new technologies, whilst being aware of the risks they may entail, by strengthening their capacity to assess the implications of these technologies before they are placed on the market.
Within the UN
Italy contributes to international stability in cyberspace by promoting multilateral dialogue within the United Nations.
In January 2021, the UN General Assembly convened an Open-ended working group on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies, which published its Final Report in July 2025.
The Report, approved in December 2025, led to the establishment of the ‘Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs’.
The Global Mechanism, active from March 2026, aims to facilitate the sharing of information and best practice on cyber threats, voluntary norms of responsible behaviour by states in cyberspace, the applicability of international law and confidence-building measures, whilst supporting the collective response to emerging cyber threats, including through the development of capacity-building activities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with the other relevant authorities, ensures the promotion of Italy’s position, which aims first and foremost to encourage responsible behaviour by states in cyberspace. Italy’s contribution to the work of the Global Mechanism is further enhanced by the participation of national public and private sector organisations operating in the field of cybersecurity.
Within NATO
Over the past decade, NATO has sought to adapt its defensive capabilities to the evolving nature of cyberspace and the threats associated with it: in 2016, it recognised cyberspace as an operational domain and adopted the ‘Cyber Defence Pledge’, a mechanism for coordinating the efforts of individual Allies in the area of resilience to cyber-attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation contributes – within its remit – to strengthening the Alliance’s cyber posture and to ensuring that specific cyber components are included in crisis management exercises and other training activities, with a view to civil-military integration.
Within the OSCE
In December 2016, the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the OSCE adopted the Permanent Council Decision setting out 16 Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), aimed at addressing possible misperceptions on the part of one country regarding the use of ICTs by others, thereby improving the quality of cooperation between participating States.
During Italy’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2018, Italy hosted a Conference on cyber security, designed to serve as a platform for sharing and exchanging views on digital security in the region, with a view to promoting cyber resilience, including through public-private partnerships. In this regard, Italy has adopted CBM14, contributing to the drafting of a report on the importance of public-private partnerships and funding its translation into Arabic to help spread awareness of such an initiative across the wider Mediterranean region.
Within the G7
The G7 has been addressing the issue of cyber security since 2016, when the Ise-Shima Declaration endorsed the Principles and Actions to promote an open, trustworthy and secure cyberspace, and also provided for the establishment of a working group to strengthen policy coordination and international cooperation.
As part of the discussions on the impact of the cyber dimension on international relations, in 2017 the Italian G7 Presidency promoted the Lucca Declaration, the first G7 document at ministerial level on this subject.
The Italian Presidency in 2024 made cyber security a priority, including it in numerous ministerial declarations and spearheading the launch of the G7 Working Group on Cyber Security.
Counter Ransomware Initiative
The CRI is an informal multilateral initiative launched in 2021 to help combat the phenomenon of ransomware – that is, the theft and encryption of data for the purpose of extortion – one of the main threats in cyberspace affecting public and private entities on every continent.
Around 60 countries, including Italy, have joined the CRI. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) ensure the involvement and coordination of the relevant authorities. The work involved in this initiative includes the production of reports, research, guidelines and technical bulletins, as well as the exchange of information on ransomware practices.
The Pall Mall Process
In 2024, the United Kingdom and France launched the Pall Mall Process in London, an informal initiative to combat the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial cyber intrusion products.
Italy, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has joined the organisation alongside 26 other countries.
At the 2025 summit in Paris, the Member States launched a Code of Good Practice for States, which sets out voluntary measures that each country is free to adopt across a range of areas to tackle the challenges associated with this phenomenon.
A Code of Good Practice for companies in the sector is also due to be adopted in 2026.