In a scenario reminiscent of a modern-day Italian Job, hackers have allegedly breached Italy’s national security, exposing confidential data of some of the country’s most prominent political figures. At the heart of the controversy is Nunzio Samuele Calamucci, a 44-year-old IT consultant operating from a modest office near Milan’s iconic Duomo cathedral. Italian prosecutors claim Calamucci led a team that infiltrated the Interior Ministry’s highly sensitive database, unveiling one of the largest and most alarming breaches of government data in recent history.

According to court documents, Calamucci, a former hacktivist who claimed to have once breached the Pentagon, orchestrated this extensive data heist with the help of young software engineers and a powerful network. During the day, Calamucci’s team created and maintained databases for the ministry, but when night fell, they allegedly downloaded troves of private information on thousands of Italians. Among the compromised data were details belonging to high-profile figures like President Sergio Mattarella and ex-Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

The breach has caused national outrage and posed serious questions about the government’s capacity to safeguard private and sensitive data. For Renzi, this intrusion was personal and painful. Speaking to POLITICO, Renzi shared his frustration: “As an Italian, I’m angry because this is a threat to democracy and privacy.” His sentiments echo a larger anxiety felt across Italy, as citizens grapple with the unsettling realization that national security could be so easily breached.

This incident isn’t just about stolen data; it has exposed Italy’s vulnerabilities in cybersecurity and, more critically, the fragility of public trust. Calamucci’s team allegedly worked through Equalize, a private investigations firm led by former police officer Carmine Gallo, with ties to other key figures in Italian security and trade sectors. Investigators claim Equalize employed a computer virus to control servers remotely, accessing confidential information, which included suspicious financial transactions, private banking details, and sensitive police investigations. The judicial report alleges that the stolen data was later monetized through client sales or, in some cases, used for blackmail.

The staggering profits—estimated at over €3.1 million—reveal the lucrative undercurrent fueling cybercrime in Italy. The alleged perpetrators, including Calamucci and Gallo, have been placed under house arrest, facing charges of conspiracy to hack, corruption, and illegal data access. The inquiry has also identified more than 60 individuals connected to the breach.

The outcry among Italy’s political elite is palpable. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani labeled the actions “unacceptable” and “criminal,” adding that using personal information for political or economic gain poses a serious threat to democracy. Senate President Ignazio La Russa expressed astonishment and disgust, demanding transparency on the incident’s impact on his own and his family’s privacy.

The scandal has ignited intense political debate, with opposition parties demanding a parliamentary inquiry and accountability from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Democrats’ Francesco Boccia and Chiara Braga pressed the government for clarification on any possible involvement from within state apparatuses. Meanwhile, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has called for tougher legislation and penalties against hacking, underlining the need for a more robust national cybersecurity policy.

Adding to the pressure, Italy’s data protection authority has launched a taskforce to investigate the security of national databases, signaling a likely overhaul of cybersecurity policies. Antonio Tajani, noting the gravity of the breach, has set a team to safeguard embassies and his ministry, acknowledging the potential for adversaries to exploit this stolen information.

Amid the swirl of accusations and uncertainty, this cyberattack on Italy’s Interior Ministry highlights the fragility of even the most fortified data security systems. The breach underscores the urgency for governments worldwide to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, as the stakes for personal privacy and national security have never been higher.

Source: Politico