Cybersecurity threats rise in Italy amid generative AI growth

Cybersecurity threats are escalating globally and within Italy, driven in part by the integration of generative AI. In July 2026, global weekly cyberattacks reached an average of 2,336 per organization, a 16% increase compared to July 2025. The education sector remains the primary target, averaging 4,848 weekly attacks, followed by government and telecommunications sectors.

In Italy, the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) reported a 54% increase in Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) during the first half of 2026, with 37,032 new vulnerabilities identified compared to 24,098 in the same period of 2025. The ACN attributes this surge to the use of frontier AI models, which accelerate code analysis, vulnerability research, and the generation of Proof of Concepts (PoC).

Italy currently ranks among the top five most targeted countries globally, accounting for 3% of total attacks. The ACN and CSIRT Italia continue to monitor and report on compromised devices and potential risks to mitigate active exploitation.