65. The following paragraphs contain precise guidelines to define roles and operating modes, as well as the quantity and quality the country intends to provide in order to implement international security and defence policies in the defined domains of action. As illustrated throughout the document, this definition will be part of a “Strategic Review” in preparation for the start of a new cycle of planning by technical and operational bodies that will lead to a new 15 year programme. A more secure nation 66. The priority objective for the protection of Italy’s vital interests is defence against an armed attack directed at national territory, its people and its assets. This includes potential hybrid attacks by non-state actors who possess substantial offensive capabilities, including weapons of mass destruction. 67. This will be prevented by two lines of action. The first, at an intergovernmental level, consists of developing the ability to use all the available tools to create an international situation to prevent this risk. The second consists of preserving multi-faceted capabilities of conventional deterrence, proportionate to the size of the real threat, and capable of deterring potential hostile entities. This last capability will be developed within the framework of NATO’s integrated defence policy and in the context of the Common European Security and Defence Policy. Deficiencies in collective defence capabilities, identified by the European Union and NATO, will therefore be national priorities, as will the availability of a capacity for independent first response intervention and for the defence of national territory, areas of maritime access to the territory and air defence. 68. In addition to these more traditional capabilities, the Defence in accordance with the national policy on information security will develop defence against cyber-attacks that may exceed the capabilities prepared by civilian agencies. Similarly, it will contribute more effectively to safeguarding freedom of access to space and the depths of the sea. - 37 -