Training and security the challenges of digital transformation

Lazio is among the regions of Italy at the forefront of information and communication technologies. It has all the credentials to become an excellence at a European level. Businesses, also spurred on by the digitalisation of public administration (with the fundamental input of the NRP funds), are moving ahead on this front, so much so that innovation is also spreading outside the traditional ICT sector, such as in the pharmaceutical, defence and aerospace sectors. By 2025, the challenge will mainly be for small and medium-sized enterprises, which will have to do everything not to fall behind the big giants in the sector. They will have to reckon with the development of artificial intelligence and the management of huge amounts of data, with cybersecurity. Taking stock of what awaits the region is Vittoria Carli, vice-president in charge of Digital Transition at Unindustria Lazio.

Carli is sole director of the holding company controlling the Ised Group, active in digital technologies since 1974, particularly in the design, implementation, and management of complex systems for the public and private, national and international markets. She was president of Unindustria's Information Technology section from 2016 to 2024 and was a member of the High Level Group on Business Services at the European Commission, as well as a member of B20 Italy for the Digital Transformation and Women Empowerment Task Forces.

'We need to accelerate,' explains Carli, 'the digital transformation. Companies are called upon to adapt rapidly to new business models in an increasingly technological and dynamic environment. In addition to being a strategic necessity, digitisation involves both the public and private sectors. I am convinced that this process is fundamental for building a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive economic system'.

Lazio is already off to a good start. The regional digital market has recorded strong growth in recent years, confirming itself as one of the most dynamic and innovative at national level. It has exceeded 13 billion euros and accounts for 16.8% of national ICT expenditure (2nd market after Lombardy). Lazio is the 1st Italian region for exported ICT services: 5 billion (51% of the national total, followed by Lombardy with 3.6 billion, 40%). We are talking about 15 thousand ICT companies, 13% of the Italian total for 100 thousand employees, 18% of the national total.

"Companies in the Lazio region," emphasises the vice-president of Unindustria, "will first of all have to assess what investments they need to make in infrastructure and professionalism, with the aim of protecting, developing, and enhancing their data assets and related value-added services. Possible migration projects to cloud services must also be carefully assessed, always taking into account the issues of cybersecurity and data ownership. These investments,' he points out, 'are a necessary condition for seizing the opportunities that new digital technologies will offer, among which Artificial Intelligence will play a fundamental role.