Italy proposes tougher jail terms for cybercriminals

Italy’s government has advocated a legislation that proposes more stringent jail terms for cybercrime, coupled with stricter disclosure rules for public entities facing cyber threats.

The draft bill is in response to recurring instances of ransomware and various cyber attacks targeting Italian ministries, banks, local health authorities, and other public institutions.

It raises penalties for breaking into IT systems to between two and 12 years, depending on whether it is done with the use or threat of force, whether public officials are involved and whether national security or the public interest is under threat.

The current legislation sets jail terms of between one and eight years.

Also Read: EU plans $1.2 billion to counter cybersecurity threats

The new law, which will need parliamentary approval for enforcement, intensifies jail terms for various cyber offenses. Notably, it stipulates that cybercriminals cooperating with law enforcement may receive a sentence reduction of up to two-thirds.

It also introduces an obligation for public bodies attacked by hackers to report the incident to the National Cybersecurity Agency within 24 hours, and to adopt security fixes the agency recommends within 15 days, or else face the risk of fines.

The draft bill follows previous laws that raised jail terms for various types of crimes, including organising rave parties. This reflects Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s rightist government’s robust stance on law and order, emphasizing a stringent approach to security.