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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

Toha Arrest: The Future of the Black Market After XSS Shuts Down

The arrest of the alleged administrator of the Russian-language forum XSS[.]is, nicknamed Toha, has become a turning point for the entire black market. According to law enforcement, on July 22,...

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

The Dark Web is a part of the internet that cannot be reached with standard browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). To access it, you need to use specific tools like the...

LockBit 5.0: Signs of a New and Possible “Rebirth”?

LockBit represents one of the longest-running and most structured ransomware gangs of recent years, with a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model that has profoundly impacted the criminal ecosystem. Following the international operation...

DarkMirror H1 2025 Released: Dark Lab’s Ransomware Threat Report

Ransomware continues to represent one of the most pervasive and damaging threats in the global cybersecurity landscape. In the regular "DarkMirror" report produced by Red Hot Cyber's DarkLab intelligence laboratory,...

Google warns 2.5 billion Gmail users: account security at risk. Reset your password!

A far-reaching security advisory has been issued by Google to the 2.5 billion users of its Gmail service, aiming to strengthen the protection of their accounts following a data breach...

After XSS’s shutdown, Rehubcom arrives. The Dark Web continues.

A former moderator of the XSS dark web forum, known as Rehub, has launched his own platform called Rehubcom. The move coincides with the arrest of XSS's administrator in Kiev...

What are ransomware gang data leak sites?

Ransomware gang data leak sites (DLSs) pose an increasingly widespread threat to businesses and individuals using the internet. These sites were created by cyber gangs to publish data stolen during...

Operation Checkmate: A major law enforcement coup. BlackSuit has been apprehended!

During a coordinated international operation dubbed Operation Checkmate, law enforcement officials have dealt a major blow to the BlackSuit ransomware group (onion link here, which has fallen into the hands...

After Encrypting Half the World, Hunters International Shuts Down! Decryptor Distributed for Free

Hunters International, the group responsible for one of the largest ransomware attacks in recent years, has officially announced the cessation of its operations. In a statement published on its darknet...

DarkForums Takes Over BreachForums’ Telegram Channel “The Jacuzzi”

The underground landscape of cybercriminal forums continues to evolve and is changing. With an official announcement published on June 25, 2025 both on Telegram and within the DarkForums forum, the...