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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

REvil: Sentenced but then set free. The most controversial court case ever

Do you remember the infamous REvil cyber gang? The Russian hacker group responsible for some of the most devastating ransomware attacks in the early days of this global threat, known...

Qilin & Associates Law Firm: Ransomware Hires Lawyers, Launches “Intimidation Package”

The developers of the Qilin ransomware (recently interviewed by us) offered their partners the help and advice of a team of lawyers, so that they could put pressure on the...

VanHelsing RaaS: An Expanding Ransomware-as-a-Service Model

The ransomware threat landscape is constantly evolving, with increasingly structured groups adopting sophisticated strategies to maximize profits. VanHelsing is a new player positioning itself in the Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) market, a...

Babuk Locker 2.0: The New Ransomware Affiliate Program

Babuk, one of the most notorious ransomware groups in cybercrime, has launched the Babuk Locker 2.0 Affiliate Program 2025, an affiliate program for skilled hackers looking to profit from ransomware...

NightSpire: A New Player in the Ransomware Landscape

During our reconnaissance into the underground world and criminal groups conducted by Red Hot Cyber's threat intelligence laboratory DarkLab, we stumbled upon a Data Leak Site of a cyber gang...

Crazyhunter: The Ransomware with the Three-Dimensional Data Annihilation System That Redefines Data Destruction

In the reconnaissance of the world of the underground and criminal groups carried out by Red Hot Cyber's DarkLab threat intelligence lab, we came across a Data Leak Site of...

Akira Ransomware: The New Threat Using Webcams as Entry Points

Akira represents one of the most recent ransomware threats capable of bypassing traditional organizational defense mechanisms. A recent case analyzed by the S-RM team highlighted how this group leveraged an...

Possible breach at Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the Qilin Ransomware group claims responsibility for the attack

The Qilin Ransomware group claims to have compromised the systems of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stealing private correspondence, personal information, and official decrees. According to the attackers, some of...

Potential Compromise of a U.S. Military Database

A high-ranking user of BreachForums, known as "GOD," is reportedly selling an alleged database belonging to the U.S. Military, which purportedly contains data on over 385,000 personnel and contractors. This...

Hellcat Claims an Alleged Breach Against Schneider Electric

In recent hours, the ransomware group known as Hellcat has claimed responsibility for an alleged attack against Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation. This supposed breach...