The paper investigates the Italian legal framework regarding cybersecurity public procurement. First, the rules introduced by the (Italian) 2023 Public Procurement Code are explored. Secondly, the residual legal framework is examined: both the general one applicable to all public administration (including within the [Italian] National Cybersecurity Perimeter), and the special one intended for tendering procedures launched by the (Italian) National Cybersecurity Agency. The necessary role of public actors in promoting and disseminating cybersecurity culture is highlighted.

This paper analyses the EU legal framework of Joint Cross-Border Procurement. This is an instrument for achieving the (cross-border) satisfaction of the needs of different EU Member States’ public authorities. This goal, however, seems to be (partially) at odds with the extremely complicated rules and their application which - together with other practical considerations, makes contracting authorities favour alternative procurement procedures.

The role of innovative procurement as a sustainability tool. The paper analyses the relationship between sustainable development and public procurement system from a juridical perspective. After having examined the application of the “Sustainable Public Procurement” strategy in so-called “traditional” procurement, the study explores the sustainability benefits that can be derived from the use of so-called “innovative” procurement by contracting administrations.