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.<\/p>\n
Cyber diplomacy focuses on bilateral and multilateral international collaboration aimed at sharing information on cybersecurity, preventing cyberattacks, contributing to the building of cyber capabilities in developing countries, and defining cyberspace governance.<\/p>\n
In this context, Italy promotes a free, secure, accessible, and human rights-respecting cyberspace, in which international law is fully applicable (Read the national document on International Law and Cyberspace<\/u>).<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is committed to asserting its vision, promoting Italian expertise, and contributing to international stability on multiple fronts, including in implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy<\/u>. These range from traditional multilateral forums to many informal coalitions between like-minded countries.<\/p>\n
Some examples are made below:<\/p>\n
AT EU level<\/strong><\/p>\n Cooperation among European Union Member States is a fundamental and significant issue for Italy.<\/p>\n The EU aims to strengthen Europe’s collective resilience against cyber threats and ensure that all citizens and companies can fully benefit from digital services and tools. The priority actions that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is pursuing, jointly with other government departments, include the implementation of the Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox, the promotion of dialogue with third countries, and capacity-building projects.<\/p>\n EU Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox<\/a>: it is a set of tools for systematizing the possible diplomatic actions available to the EU to prevent or respond to malicious actions, in order to maintain peace and stability in the cyberspace. These include the possibility of adopting restrictive measures against individuals or entities deemed responsible for malicious actions against one or more EU member States.<\/p>\n AT UN level <\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2004 six Governmental Expert Groups (GEGs) and two Open-Ended Working Groups (OEWGs) have debated and sought consensus on various aspects of the use of information and communication technologies in the context of international security: norms of responsible State behaviour, the applicability of international law to cyberspace, confidence-building measures, potential threats, and capacity building (See the OEWG final report 2021-2025<\/u>).<\/p>\n The new Global Mechanism on ICT developments in the context of international security and to promote responsible State behaviour in cyberspace has been active since March 2026.<\/p>\n At NATO level<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the past decade, NATO has sought to adapt its defence capabilities to the evolving cyberspace and related threats. In 2016, it recognized cyberspace as an operational domain and adopted the “Cyber Defence Pledge<\/a>,” a tool for convergence of the individual Allies’ efforts to improve resilience to cyber attacks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is committed – within its remit – to implementing these efforts, participating in the development of the “Guide for responding to cyber activities below the threshold of armed attack,” and contributing to the inclusion of specific cyber components in crisis management exercises and other training activities with a view to achieving civil-military integration.<\/p>\n AT OSCE level<\/strong><\/p>\n The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)<\/u> has developed 16 Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) designed to address potential misperceptions among countries regarding the use of ICT by others, thus improving the quality of cooperation among participating States.<\/p>\n During Italy’s 2018 OSCE Presidency, Italy hosted a Cyber Security Conference<\/u>, intended to serve as a platform for sharing and exchanging views on digital security in the region, and to promote cyber resilience, including through public-private partnerships. To this end, Italy adopted CBM14, contributing to the drafting of a report on the importance of public-private partnerships and funding its translation into Arabic to broaden the reach and dissemination of such an initiative in the broader Mediterranean region.<\/p>\n Within the G7 framework<\/strong><\/p>\n The G7 has been addressing cybersecurity since 2016, when the \u201cIse-Shima\u201d Working Group was established under the leadership of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The Group has consistently focused on issues related to the impact of the cyber domain on international relations. In this context, the 2017 Italian Presidency promoted the Lucca Declaration<\/u><\/a>, the first G7 ministerial-level document on this subject. The Declaration focused on maintaining international peace and security and on promoting an open, secure, stable, accessible and peaceful cyberspace.<\/p>\n The 2024 Italian Presidency identified cybersecurity as a priority. At the initiative of the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), a new Working Group for national cyber agencies and centres was launched. In addition, discussions on cybersecurity featured prominently at meetings of Heads of State and Government, as well as at several ministerial meetings, starting with the Foreign Ministers\u2019 meeting. Relevant statements are available here<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)<\/strong><\/p>\n The CRI<\/u><\/a> is an informal multilateral initiative launched in 2021 to combat ransomware, namely data theft combined with encryption for extortion purposes. This represents one of the most significant cyber threats affecting both public and private entities worldwide.<\/p>\n Approximately 60 countries, including Italy, have joined the initiative. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) ensure Italy\u2019s participation and coordinate the involvement of the relevant national authorities.<\/p>\n The initiative\u2019s work includes the development of reports, research, guidelines and technical bulletins, as well as the exchange of information on ransomware practices.<\/p>\n Tallinn Mechanism<\/strong><\/p>\n The Tallinn Mechanism is an informal multilateral initiative launched in 2023 to coordinate and streamline civilian cybersecurity assistance to Ukraine in response to the effects of Russian aggression. Italy, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), joined the initiative alongside 13 other countries.<\/p>\n The initiative supports Ukraine as a symbol of unity, resilience and shared security. It provides a platform for dialogue and coordination aimed at transparently identifying and addressing Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction needs.<\/p>\n The Mechanism operates on a rotating six-month presidency, which Italy will hold from July to December 2026.<\/p>\n Through this framework, Italy has so far allocated EUR 1 million to support capacity-building projects for the IT systems of the Ternopil Regional Administration.<\/p>\n The Mechanism also promotes public-private partnerships. Companies interested in contributing to the various projects can access the relevant catalogue here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pall Mall Process<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2024, the United Kingdom and France launched this informal initiative in London to address the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial cyber intrusion tools.<\/p>\n Italy joined the initiative, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), alongside 26 other countries.<\/p>\n The initiative \u2013 referred to as a \u201cprocess\u201d to reflect its structured and inclusive nature \u2013 is based on four pillars: accountability, precision, oversight and transparency.<\/p>\n