European cybersecurity: proactive strategies and AI technologies to protect critical sectors

The NIS360 report provides an in-depth analysis of the cybersecurity situation in Europe, focusing on critical sectors that form the backbone of essential services. The survey highlights how vital infrastructures, including energy, healthcare and transport, are constantly exposed to increasingly sophisticated cyber risks. For IT professionals particularly engaged in system integration and implementation of security solutions, it becomes a priority to adopt strategies that go beyond mere passive defense, embracing proactive security models based on in-depth risk analysis and intelligent automation, essential to guarantee resilience and business continuity.

Common vulnerabilities and the importance of automated mitigation measures

The paper highlights how emerging vulnerabilities in IT architectures of critical assets are often linked to misconfigurations, poor patch management, and the lack of complete visibility into security events. For IT specialists, integrated management of security-oriented APIs and the adoption of automation solutions, such as AI-based incident response orchestrators, are a key element to accelerate the identification and resolution of threats. The implementation of these technologies allows not only to reduce the time of exposure to intrusions, but also to optimize workflows, freeing resources from repetitive and low-value activities to focus on more complex strategic interventions.

Cross-sectoral criticalities and the role of a coordinated multi-level approach

Information sharing and cooperation between public and private entities are essential to address the complexity of cyber threats that affect multiple critical sectors simultaneously. The report highlights the need for system integrators and IT teams to develop interoperable frameworks that can aggregate data from multiple sources and orchestrate coordinated responses at national and European levels. This multi-layered approach, combined with artificial intelligence for predictive analysis and event management, significantly improves preparedness and speed of response to incidents, reducing potentially devastating impacts on strategic infrastructures.

Practical implications for IT professionals and tips for advanced cybersecurity

For cybersecurity professionals, the NIS360 report provides practical recommendations to enhance the protection of critical systems. These include the adoption of continuous monitoring systems with machine learning capabilities, the strengthening of access policies and multifactor authentication, and the integration of security event management (SIEM) platforms with built-in automation. The adoption of these methodologies allows for the creation of a dynamic defensive posture, capable of evolving with the threat environment and ensuring effective governance, a crucial aspect for professionals who manage complex infrastructures and want to ensure high standards of security and regulatory compliance.