Telecom Italia has introduced a new microchip aimed at enhancing cybersecurity across various sectors, including defense systems, cloud infrastructure, and mobile technology.
The chip was developed in-house by Telsy, which is a Telecom Italia’s subsidiary that offers encrypted communications technology and develops cybersecurity services. Its production involved a European supply chain.
The microchip, which provides fully encrypted communications, “represents a new tool for strengthening technological autonomy and sovereignty within the framework of national and European cybersecurity strategies,” Telecom Italia said in a statement.
The new technology was announced during an event in Rome, which saw the presence of TIM’s CEO Pietro Labriola and Italy’s Industry Minister Adolfo Urso.
“We are here today to demonstrate how important it is today to work together on the country’s strategic assets and the industrial vitality of Telecom Italia and symbolize the technological sovereignty that we want to pursue to protect ourselves from risks and to combat cybercrime,” said Urso.
Additionally, the chip is designed to protect vital infrastructure such as power grids, water systems, railways, and dams against cyber threats.
The chip is to protect “the whole production cycle by integrating a sophisticated encryption system with the most advanced cybersecurity functions, guaranteeing the security of machine-to-machine dialogue” and “marks an important step in the international promotion of the made-in-Italy brand in the strategic industry of semiconductors”.
This microchip comes as European Union countries and EU legislators last month agreed on new regulations to safeguard internet-connected devices like laptops, mobile apps, and smart home gadgets from increasing cyber threats and ransomware incidents. The European Commission had said the cybersecurity rules could potentially save as much as $316 billion for companies.
“Connected devices need a basic level of cybersecurity when sold in the EU, ensuring that businesses and consumers are properly protected against cyber threats,” said Jose Luis Escriva, Spanish minister of digital transformation.