Telecom Italia launches microchip to boost cybersecurity services

ROME (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (TIM) on Thursday launched a new microchip it has designed which is intended to boost cybersecurity in fields such as mobile devices, cloud infrastructure and defence systems.

The announcement was made during an event in Rome attended by Italy's Industry Minister Adolfo Urso and TIM Chief Executive Pietro Labriola.

The microchip "represents a new tool for strengthening technological autonomy and sovereignty within the framework of national and European cybersecurity strategies" by providing fully encrypted communications, TIM said in a statement.

It is also aimed at shielding critical infrastructure such as railway tracks, power grids, water networks and dams from cybersecurity threats, the company added.

The secure chip was entirely designed by TIM's unit Telsy -- which develops cybersecurity services and provides encrypted communications technology to customers such as public administration -- and manufactured through a European supply chain.

European Union countries and EU lawmakers last month agreed on rules to protect laptops, mobile apps and smart household devices connected to the internet from cyber threats following a spate of such attacks and ransom demands in recent years.

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina, writing by Federico Maccioni, editing by Keith Weir)