The purpose of this new project is to address security challenges and to meet the security demands of institutions, businesses, citizens.
The University of Trento launched today the Institute of Security Sciences, a laboratory involving more than 70 faculty members from 10 departments and centres who will put their skills to use for the good of the nation.
A wide range of themes were discussed at the inauguration conference that took place at the Ferrari 1 Building in Povo with distinguished speakers: the protection of "made in Italy" products and intellectual property rights; security in the cities of the future; cyber security and national security; hydrogeological and seismic risk in structures and infrastructure; national and transnational organized crime. Each session focused on how security sciences can respond to specific demands.
Collaboration and networking are among the strategies used by the Institute of Security Sciences. The security mission the institute aims to accomplish is based on many areas of commitment, so that "Security means: #01 protecting rights, within the limits of the law; #02 using competence and method, because security is a science; #03 providing protection from unknown risks; #04 searching for the causes of phenomena, for long-term strategies; #05 facing complex problems with a multidisciplinary approach; #06 doing your part for the benefit of everyone; #07 dealing with the most vulnerable contexts and people; #08 being protected and feeling protected; #09 managing problems, including local problems, in a global network; #10 optimizing resources and improving the quality of life".
"Training and education in security-related subjects have always been important at the University of Trento", said rector Paolo Collini in his opening address. "Some of the most respected laboratories and research groups at the national and international level are based at our University, like eCrime, CryptoLabTN – the Laboratory of Industrial Mathematics and Cryptography, the Multimedia Signal Processing and Understanding lab, the Security Research Group". The new institute is a further step forward: "The ISSTN, created by the University of Trento, is something unique in Italy and abroad. Its purpose is to put multi/interdisciplinary teaching and research on security to good use for the benefit of the nation".
The mayor of Trento, Alessandro Andreatta, and the president of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Maurizio Fugatti, welcomed the Institute and the research work carried out by the University of Trento into the areas of security.
Angelo Tofalo, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, underlined the importance of the Institute of Security Sciences. "The University of Trento had a great idea with this institute and I hope that other universities will follow in its steps", he commented after the conference. "I believe that security is a very delicate matter but also an opportunity for young people", he added. Investing in training on security, a subject which is often dealt with inappropriately, is crucial to create a culture of security among younger generations. Disseminating a culture of national security must become a priority for institutions".
The conference presenting the Institute of Security Sciences of the University of Trento was attended by many prestigious guests of the security industry, at national and international level. Among those who addressed the audience were Gian Guido Nobili (Italian Forum for Urban Security) and Stefano De Capitani (Municipia), Angelo Tofalo (State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence) and Andrea Chittaro (Italian association of business security professionals). The conference was attended by Paolo Clemente (Enea), Francesco Baruffi (Autorità di bacino distrettuale delle Alpi Orientali), Antonio Laudati (sostituto procuratore nazionale antimafia e antiterrorismo) and Giuseppina Maddaluno (Unicri).
More details in the press release
Information sheet
The Institute of Security Sciences, included in the University's strategic plan 2017-2021, is a large laboratory bringing together over 70 faculty members from 10 of the University's departments and centres. The Institute takes a multi/interdisciplinary approach to security and to global security challenges.
It is one of the first laboratories of this kind in Europe, with the Institute of Security and Crime Sciences in London. In Italy, on the other hand, there are no other research and training institutes that include the same disciplinary areas (law, criminology, sociology, psychology, statistics, mathematics, information sciences, engineering, economics, biology, international studies, environmental sciences and others).
The Institute provides advanced training programmes and coordinates applied research projects. The activities of the Institute are based on a new and efficient agreement between the world of university education and research, public organizations, businesses and citizens. In this way, the University of Trento helps in the fight against crime and works for a better respect of the law and to improve security in Italy.
The Institute is led by a steering committee made up of representatives of public and private security organizations and international organizations. It can also establish relationships with public organizations and large Italian and foreign companies through appropriate agreements.
Further information: isstn.unitn.it