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Metodo Giuridico Ius et Ratio ISSN 3103-7305
Rivista Scientifica di Diritto e Giurisprudenza
Diritto Civile • Amministrativo • Lavoro • Penale • Tributario • ISSN 3103-7305
ISSN 3103-7305 • International English Edition Public Entities & Concessions Diamond Open Access
Vol. 1, Issue 3 (2026) • Art. 6637 • pp. 1–15

National Security in Public Procurement: Cloud Sovereignty and ICT Veto Powers

Federico Palumbo Published: November 11, 2026 Journal: Metodo Giuridico — Ius et Ratio (Rome) Extent: 15 pages (A4)
Download Full Paper (English PDF — 15 pp.) Original Italian Edition (Full HTML & PDF)

Abstract

The regulation of national security in public contracts has undergone a structural transformation, evolving from an exceptional derogation into a primary governing principle of digital public procurement. This paper analyzes the interplay among procurement rules, the national cybersecurity perimeter, cloud qualification frameworks, and executive screening mechanisms. Examining recent administrative case law, the author addresses technical admission criteria, geographical localization requirements, evidentiary burdens, and the boundaries of judicial review over executive discretion.

Key Legal Takeaways

  • Systematic Evolution: National security has shed its traditional character as a purely exceptional exemption and consolidated its status as a structural parameter for technical qualification and price-score allocation in high-criticality ICT public procurement.
  • Allocation of Institutional Competences: The procedural framework governing the national cybersecurity perimeter and the binding prescriptions issued by the National Evaluation and Certification Centre (CVCN) prevail over the contractual autonomy of the contracting authority, imposing mandatory compliance requirements under penalty of exclusion or termination of the contract.
  • Limits of Judicial Review: The exercise of executive screening powers ( golden power ) and geopolitical risk assessments entail broad political and technical discretion, which may be reviewed before administrative courts solely for manifest unreasonableness, misrepresentation of material facts, or patent failure to conduct an adequate preliminary investigation.

Suggested Scholarly Citation & Original Reference

International / OSCOLA Citation: Federico Palumbo, ‘National Security in Public Procurement: Cloud Sovereignty and ICT Veto Powers’ (2026) 1(3) Metodo Giuridico (ISSN 3103-7305) Art 6637, 1–15 <https://www.metodogiuridico.it/2026/11/11/sicurezza-nazionale-contratti-pubblici-cybersicurezza-golden-power/en/>
Original Italian Title: Sicurezza nazionale nei contratti pubblici tra cloud e veti ICT — License: Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Federico Palumbo
Attorney at the Rome Bar — Co-Scientific Director of Metodo Giuridico

Practises civil law, administrative law, and labour law. For Metodo Giuridico he authors in-depth analyses and case notes on the substantive and procedural aspects of civil and administrative litigation.