The revolution of the “trenchless” technique and the latest news on the subject of cyber attacks will be the great protagonists of the two fairs scheduled in the pavilions of the Piacenza Expo
Trenchless technology, also known as “no-dig”, which has revolutionized the installation and repair of underground infrastructure and the responses developed by leading cybersecurity companies to the latest hacker threats, will be two of the topics in focus, respectively of the 3rd edition of the PIPELINE & GAS EXPO (PGE) and the 1st edition of the CYBSEC EXPO
Piacenza, 7 May 2024 – PIPELINE & GAS EXPO (PGE) is the exhibition-conference entirely dedicated to the “Mid-Stream” and “Oil & Gas” distribution networks, power generation but also water sectors, which brings together the main companies active in the design, construction and maintenance of gas pipelines, oil pipelines, methane pipelines and aqueducts, gas distribution networks (both primary and secondary) and water, with the relevant suppliers of systems, machines, equipment, materials and software necessary for them.
CYBSEC EXPOhowever, is the innovative one event entirely dedicated to IT security, data protection and critical infrastructures.
The 3rd edition of the PGE, thanks to the innovative exhibition formula also at European level, it will offer a very broad overview of “trenchless” technology, also known as “no-dig”, which revolutionized the installation and repair of underground infrastructure. Unlike traditional methods that require extensive excavation, techniques such as horizontal directional drilling (HDD), microtunneling and in-situ pipe laying (CIPP) can minimize surface disruption and space requirements, resulting in numerous advantages for public water, gas, electricity and telecommunications companies.
Recognizing the importance of this technology, the 3rd edition of the PGE will dedicate a special area to “no-dig”, in which the latest developments in trenchless technology will be present, organized in collaboration with the Italian Association for Trenchless Technology (IATT).
On this topic, it is also worth mentioning the important conference “NO DIG SOLUTIONS FOR MULTIGAS NETWORKS TRENCHLESS LAYING AND RENOVATION OF METHANE, BIOMETHANE AND HYDROGEN PIPELINES”, organized by the Italian Association for Trenchless Technology, scheduled for Thursday 30 May (9.30 am, Room B).
Starting point for this one instead first edition of CYBSEC EXPOa real novelty in the Italian trade fair scene, is the extremely worrying picture resulting from the annual report drawn up by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), according to which in 2023 there was “a considerable increase in the cyber threat”, with “a cyber event every 6 hours”. According to the report, last year the Agency’s CSIRT (Computer security response team Italy) “treated 1,411 events, almost 4 per day, one every 6 hours, but above all 29% more than the 1,094 of the previous year; 303 were classified as ‘accidents with confirmed impact’, 140.5% more and 3,302 target subjects, 187.1% more”.
What is described by the ACN is an alarming scenario, “where a significant increase in reports addressed to the Agency emerges (349 compared to 81 the previous year, +330.9%), while requests for information have also grown (+ 10.8%). 3,624 assets at risk monitored (+374.3%), 56 ransomware actors and 265 hacktivists: 584 phishing attempts reported to victims”.
As regards the sectors of activity of the target subjects, explains the ACN, “telecommunications and public administration prevail, both at a local and central level. To correctly interpret the data, it is important to underline that each event can be associated with one or more sectors of activity: telecommunications (216), central public administration (201), local public administration (140), transport (115), financial services ( 81), technological (75), energy (68), university and research (41), healthcare (40) and others”.
It is in light of these data and the consideration that the PGE calls together the large public utilities companies – players with a high rate of investment in research but also in safety, being highly sensitive sectors – which Mediapoint Of Fabio Potestà has decided to bring together under the same pavilions all the operators who deal with the mid-stream sectors and the “Oil & Gas” distribution networks, power generation but also water, with that of cyber security, CYBSEC EXPO. One way to «respond and provide innovative and high-level solutions to all the emerging problems facing the reference supply chain, and that of IT security is certainly a highly topical issue with regards to the world of utilities»explains Potestà.
As tradition for all events organized by Mediapoint Exhibitions, it will be held on the evening of Wednesday 29 May (inaugural day of the events) at the beautiful Tapestry Room of the Alberoni Gallery in Piacenza, the gala dinner reserved for participants of the two events, evening which will give way to exhibitors to “network” in a convivial and relaxed atmosphere.
