www.cybrec.it

CYBREC is the laboratory created and promoted by the Magna Grecia Foundation, as part of its study and research activities, in partnership with experts, institutions, and companies working in the field of cybercrime and cybersecurity.

Acknowledging the changes in the geopolitical scenario, in light of the increase in cyber attacks and growing cybercrime activities, FMG and its partners intend to promote a series of useful activities for Italian institutions and companies, particularly in the South, in order to:

• aggregate experts and resources in a shared laboratory project,
• analyze the cybersecurity contexts and systems adopted by institutions and companies;
• study innovation trends in the sector, evolutions and potential risks and the response of stakeholders
• contribute to the dissemination of widespread knowledge and skills;
• develop in-house projects.
• train professionals and law enforcement agencies in a comprehensive way in a new and complex scenario.

Areas of activity and initiatives carried out

CYBREC's activities are divided into four strategic areas that represent the needs of the world of cybercrime and cybersecurity: collecting data and analyzing them to carry out studies and research, promoting research-related projects, training the professionals of the future, communicating initiatives and networking.

1. Studies and Research

In 2022, the Laboratory produced the Report "Mafias in the digital age: representation and imagery of organized crime, from Wikipedia to social media", published by FrancoAngeli.

The presentation of the Report took place at the Foreign Press Office of the Chamber of Deputies, and was attended, among others, by the Director of the Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate, Maurizio Vallone, and Chief Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri.

The Report had been previously announced at a 2001 conference organized at LUISS University, with the participation of the chiefs of the Italian law enforcement agencies (Polizia, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza), experts in the field and journalists.

In 2023, the activities continued with the collection of data useful for the creation of a second Report, which analysed some aspects of cybercrime and cybersecurity, their evolution and the most innovative aspects of interest to stakeholders in the sector, including policies, legislation, certifications and international standards, relations with institutions, criminal activities and possible scenarios and which was presented in 2024 and published by FrancoAngeli.

1. Formation

Due to a constantly evolving scenario and an actual mismatch in terms of supply and demand regarding the need for highly professional figures in the field of cybersecurity, the Laboratory intends to promote the creation of a Master’s Degree in advanced training to encourage skills development of professionals who operate in this field.

1. Projects

The Magna Grecia Foundation has set up a working group of experts in direct and indirect funding from the European Union and NRRP funds, with which it intends to support CYBREC both in the implementation of innovative projects in the sector in favour of companies and local authorities, and to propose itself as a subject for the construction of European project partnerships.

1. Cybersecurity literacy

Fondazione Magna Grecia and CYBREC will organise meetings, conferences and seminars to involve and raise awareness among political institutions, local authorities, businesses and students on the fundamental issue of cybersecurity and cybercrime, disseminating data and information, as well as deepening the implications on the real economy and social security, in particular on sensitive sectors such as, for example, finance, Cultural heritage, health and social media.

Structure of CYBREC

The CYBREC Laboratory is a structure open to the contribution of experts and scholars in the field of cybercrime and cybersecurity and to the participation of companies and institutions.

Currently, the Steering Committee is composed as follows:

• Nino Foti (President)
• Antonio Nicaso (CYBREC Laboratory Coordinator)
• Marcello Ravveduto (Editor of the Mafia/Social Media Report)
• Walter Rauti (Editor of the Cybercrime Report)
• Luca Piccinelli (Technical-Scientific Committee, delegate for certifications and international standards)
• Roberto Cao Pinna (Technical-Scientific Committee, Cybersecurity Delegate)
• Alessandro Di Legge (Coordinator of CYBREC and external relations and communication activities)