The CDP Cyber Challenge 2025 ended with an excellent turnout and a clear message for the entire Italian cybersecurity ecosystem.
Sixty talented young people took up the challenge on 27 November, in a complex cyber defence test at the Rome Congress Centre, confirming Cassa Depositi e Prestiti’s role as one of the leading promoters in Italy for cyber culture and for empowering advanced expertise. The ‘AlzatiSubito’ team won, with three members from Team Italy, which represented the country at the European Cybersecurity Challenge in Warsaw, proof of the technical level reached by the participants.
The event opened with a video message from Dario Scannapieco, CEO of CDP, who spoke of the need to invest in young people, offering concrete opportunities to turn theoretical knowledge into operational expertise. This message was reinforced by the words of Francesca Sofia, General Director of Fondazione CDP, who said that access to qualified training was fundamental to create dignified work and new professional prospects.
The theme of cooperation - a cornerstone of digital security today - was the focus of the introductory speech made by Nicola Vanin, Head of Corporate Security and Chief Information Security Officer at CDP. Mr. Vanin pointed out the strategic need to ‘have a system’ at national and international level to tackle increasingly sophisticated crossborder threats, which call for integrated solutions from institutions, businesses and the world of research. A message which is part of the evolving framework of digital resilience in Europe.
Sponsored by the Italian Data Authority, Women4Cyber Italy and the Competence Center Cyber 4.0, the 2025 edition featured talks from prominent speakers. Luca Nicoletti from the National Cybersecurity Agency, Mariapia Mastroddi and Alberto Tavani from CDP and Paolo Dal Checco from Forenser all contributed to the debate. In particular, Paolo Dal Checco reminded young people about ethical accountability, and that cybersecurity not only called for technical expertise, but also required integrity, method and being aware of the impact of own actions on collective security.
At the very centre of the challenge was ‘The Great Heist’, an advanced simulation to fend off a cyber attack against a European financial institution. Unlike competitions that focus on attacks, the CDP Cyber Challenge is one of the few Italian Capture The Flag type contests dedicated entirely to the Blue Team. Participants had to prove how to identify an anomaly, respond to an incident, estimate the damage and communicate clearly and concisely to non-technical managers. The teams worked under operational stress situations similar to those of critical infrastructures, developing team work, documentation, analysis and communication skills, which are all vital today for working in digital security.
A considerable part of the edition was dedicated to the women participating. Women4Cyber acknowledged the commitment of the young women at the event, pointing out that there was still a gender gap in the sector, which had to be bridged with dedicated paths and a greater visibility. This cultural nod was further consolidated by the organisational staff comprising nearly all women, with prominent individuals such as Gaetana Marrone, Head of Cybersecurity Governance of the CDP Group.
So the CDP Cyber Challenge 2025 was not only a contest, but an actual advanced national training lab. The initiative brings young people closer to the actual dynamics of digital defence, and contributes to strengthening the skills set and expertise that our country will base its security on. Investing in new generations, along with an ability to bring together institutions, businesses and research is the most effective strategy today to guarantee Italy a cyber posture which is adequate for tackling modern-day digital threats.