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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

The Louvre Theft: How Password Governance Can Undermine Security

"When the Key Is 'Louvre' - The Theft That Teaches How Password Governance Can Shake Even the Most Violable Fortresses" On October 19, 2025, the Louvre Museum was the scene...

Theft at the Louvre: The surveillance system’s password “LOUVRE” has put the museum in crisis.

We recently published an in-depth article on the "theft of the century" at the Louvre , in which we highlighted how physical security – access, environmental control, surveillance – is...

Discover the Dark Web: Access, Secrets, and Helpful Links to the Onion Network

Have you always thought that the Dark Web is frequented by cybercriminals? Have you always thought that the Dark Web is a dangerous and treacherous network? Today we want to...

Velociraptor used in active attacks to distribute LockBit and Babuk ransomware

Hackers have begun using Velociraptor , the digital forensics and incident response (DFIR) tool, to launch LockBit and Babuk ransomware attacks. Cisco Talos researchers attribute these campaigns to the Storm-2603...

Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters: “We’re paying those who bombard corporate executives with emails.”

Renewing their strategy, the Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters group has returned to the forefront with a new and surprising tactic to put pressure on victims. Cybercriminals have promised a $10 cryptocurrency...

Qilin leads ransomware attacks as new groups emerge underground

Qilin continues to lead the way among all active crypto attack groups, significantly lagging behind its competitors in the number of reported incidents. According to a recent Cyble report, the...

Microsoft accused by Ron Wyden of cybersecurity negligence

US Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter on September 10 to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting an investigation into Microsoft, accusing the company of "gross negligence" in the field...

SpamGPT is here! The new phishing kit that combines AI, spam, and diabolical genius.

A new tool called SpamGPT has appeared on underground forums and has quickly become a hot topic in the cybersecurity community. The malicious software combines the capabilities of generative artificial...

LockBit 5.0: concrete signs of a possible rebirth?

The ransomware landscape continues to be characterized by dynamics of adaptation and resilience. Even when an international operation seems to spell the end for a criminal group, experience shows us...

The Gentlemen Ransomware: An Emerging Dark Web Threat Analysis

In Q3 2025, a new ransomware group, identified as The Gentlemen, was observed launching its own Data Leak Site (DLS) on the Tor network. The group's infrastructure and operational methods...