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Author: Pietro Melillo

Pietro Melillo

Head of the Dark Lab group. A Computer Engineer specialised in Cyber Security with a deep passion for Hacking and technology, currently CISO of WURTH Italia, he was responsible for Cyber Threat Intelligence & Dark Web analysis services at IBM, carries out research and teaching activities on Cyber Threat Intelligence topics at the University of Sannio, as a Ph.D, author of scientific papers and development of tools to support cybersecurity activities.
Leads the CTI Team "RHC DarkLab"

Profilo LinkedIn
Areas of Expertise Cyber Threat Intelligence, Ransomware, National Security, Training

Pietro Melillo is a cybersecurity professional with solid experience in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI), security governance, and advanced threat analysis. His background combines high-level operational roles, academic research, and technical dissemination, with a strong focus on understanding threat ecosystems and their impact on business.

Current Positions

  • Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – Würth Italy: Responsible for defining and governing the enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy across multiple business entities. Oversees regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on the NIS2 Directive, and the adoption and continuous improvement of international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001. He also leads organization-wide initiatives in incident response, vulnerability management, security awareness, and AI governance, ensuring alignment between security controls, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.
  • PhD Researcher in Cyber Threat Intelligence – University of Sannio: Research activities focused on the ransomware ecosystem, dark web dynamics, and data-driven models for cyber threat analysis and prediction.
  • Director of the CTI Group “DarkLab” – Red Hot Cyber: Coordinates research, monitoring, and dissemination activities related to emerging threats, underground ecosystems, and the evolution of cybercrime.

Core Competencies

  • Cyber Threat Intelligence: advanced threat analysis, predictive models, and study of digital criminal ecosystems.
  • Security Governance & Compliance: integration of cybersecurity, regulatory frameworks, and business strategies (NIS2, ISO/IEC 27001).
  • Incident Response & Vulnerability Management: structured handling of security incidents and risk mitigation processes.
  • AI Governance & Security Awareness: governance models and awareness programs for emerging technologies.

Initiatives and Contributions

  • Academic teaching: lecturer and academic collaborator at several Italian universities, including the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Sannio, delivering courses on CTI, dark web analysis, and cybercrime.
  • Applied research: development of studies and analyses based on empirical data and threat intelligence methodologies, with a strong focus on operational applicability.
  • Knowledge sharing: active contributor to Red Hot Cyber initiatives, supporting the dissemination of knowledge on emerging cyber threats.

Professional Vision

He advocates for an integrated approach to cybersecurity that combines research, operations, and governance, aiming to anticipate threats through data-driven analysis and a deep understanding of digital criminal ecosystems. His goal is to reduce decision-making uncertainty and enhance organizational resilience in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

Web resources

Numero di articoli trovati: 90

Ransomware Attacks Decline in 2024, But Threat Remains High with $734M in Ransom

According to a recently released report by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) , global ransomware activity peaked in 2023, only to plummet in 2024. This decline is attributed to...

Passwordless Authentication: The Future of Secure Online Access

Using passwords to access online accounts is no longer as secure as it once was. In fact, passwords are now one of the most common vulnerabilities used by cybercriminals to...

Windows 11 Password Issue: Microsoft Warns of Invisible Icon Bug

Microsoft has warned users of a Windows 11 glitch: after the release of updates starting in August 2025 , the password-based sign-in button may disappear from the lock screen. While...

Logitech Hit by Clop Ransomware Attack, Data Breach Exposed

Logitech representatives have notified authorities of a cyberattack and a serious data breach . The notorious Clop ransomware group, which has been targeting companies for several months by exploiting a...

Disloyal Employees: Fired, Returns to Work, and Resets 2,500 Passwords Without the Company’s Knowledge

An employee has pleaded guilty to hacking into his former employer's network and causing nearly $1 million in damages after being fired. According to the indictment, 35-year-old Maxwell Schultz, who...

Password Managers: A Complete Guide to Choosing and Using Them

Passwords: how important are they in our digital lives? How many times have we reported this on our pages? Most digital activities— from social media to banking to online shopping...

Discovering DarkSide: Techniques, Tactics, and Affiliations

Researchers across the cyber community have been exchanging a great deal of information lately about the DarkSide ransomware cyber gang, the emerging cybercriminal group that has suddenly risen to global...

The most used password in 2025? It’s still “123456”! Humanity never learns.

In 2025, users still rely heavily on basic passwords to protect their accounts. A Comparitech study, based on an analysis of over 2 billion real passwords leaked to data breach...

The Louvre’s security myth crumbles! Between audits, ridiculous passwords, and outdated cameras.

The recent theft at the Louvre Museum, located in the heart of Paris, has shocked not only the art world but also the cybersecurity world. On the night of October...

Louvre Theft: Windows 2000 and Windows XP on Networks, as Well as Simple Passwords

As we know, the thieves in the "theft of the century" entered through a second-floor window of the Louvre Museum, but the museum had other problems besides unprotected windows. Although...