Fast Facts

• Ermetix and Arrow have inked a deal to distribute advanced mobile security tools across Italy’s public sector.
• Modern threats like spyware, trojans, and ransomware now target iOS and Android devices, not just traditional computers.
• The partnership combines Ermetix’s AI-driven threat detection with Arrow’s robust distribution and support network.
• Mobile-first security initiatives are crucial as government workers increasingly operate outside traditional office boundaries.
• Similar attacks have crippled public institutions worldwide - prompting urgent upgrades in endpoint protection.

The New Battlefield: Your Smartphone

Picture a city official approving contracts on their phone in a bustling café, or a healthcare worker accessing sensitive records from a tablet on the move. Today, these everyday mobile moments are prime targets for cybercriminals. The age when hackers focused only on desktop computers is over - the real action is now on our phones and tablets.

Recent years have seen an explosion of mobile-targeted malware. From spyware that quietly siphons off data, to ransomware that locks down entire devices until a ransom is paid, these digital predators have evolved. In 2023 alone, mobile ransomware attacks surged by over 50%, according to Kaspersky’s annual threat report. Attackers are increasingly exploiting the fact that many organizations - especially government bodies - have struggled to keep up with the rapid shift to mobile work.

A Strategic Alliance for a Mobile-First Era

Enter the new partnership between Ermetix, an Italian mobile security specialist, and Arrow Electronics, a global IT powerhouse. Their agreement, aimed squarely at Italy’s public sector, will see Arrow distributing Ermetix’s cutting-edge Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions nationwide.

What sets this alliance apart? Ermetix brings AI-powered threat detection that can spot suspicious behavior - think of it like a digital sniffer dog, always alert for signs of attack. Their platform not only detects known malware (like spyware, trojans, and ransomware) but also uses artificial intelligence to catch previously unseen “zero-day” threats.

Arrow, meanwhile, provides the logistical muscle: a wide network of resellers, technical support, and integration expertise. This means public administrations can rapidly roll out mobile security projects, with tailored guidance and ongoing support.

For Italy’s public sector - handling everything from citizen data to critical infrastructure - this partnership aims to close the gap that has left many agencies exposed. As Diego Fasano, CEO of Ermetix, puts it: the goal is to “reduce risk and simplify endpoint management” for institutions facing ever-more sophisticated attacks.

Lessons from Past Attacks - and a Glimpse Ahead

The urgency isn’t hypothetical. In 2021, the Italian Lazio region’s health system was paralyzed by a ransomware attack that shut down vaccine scheduling and exposed vulnerabilities in endpoint security. Across Europe and beyond, public agencies from city governments to police forces have been held hostage by similar attacks - often traced back to a single compromised mobile device.

Experts warn that as working habits become more mobile and decentralized, the attack surface will only expand. Reports from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) highlight the growing risk of sophisticated malware targeting official devices, and the critical need for both advanced technology and user awareness.

With geopolitical tensions running high and cybercrime increasingly professionalized, public administrations can no longer afford to treat mobile security as an afterthought. The Ermetix-Arrow alliance may be a model for other nations seeking to shore up their digital borders - one mobile device at a time.

WIKICROOK

• Spyware: Spyware is software that secretly monitors or steals information from your device without your consent, putting your privacy and data at risk.
• Ransomware: Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts or locks data, demanding payment from victims to restore access to their files or systems.
• Trojan: A Trojan is malicious software disguised as a legitimate app, designed to trick users into installing it so it can steal data or harm devices.
• Mobile Threat Defense (MTD): Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) is technology that detects and blocks cyber threats targeting smartphones and tablets, protecting sensitive data and user privacy.
• Zero: A zero-day vulnerability is a hidden security flaw unknown to the software maker, with no fix available, making it highly valuable and dangerous to attackers.