Prefecture of Naples

The Prefecture of Naples operates as the territorial representative of the Italian Ministry of the Interior in the Province of Naples. It carries out the functions of the central government at the local level, ensuring the application of national laws and policies within its jurisdiction. Among its responsibilities are the maintenance of public order, coordination of civil protection efforts, and oversight of immigration and asylum procedures. The office also manages electoral processes, issues various administrative authorisations, and acts as a liaison between local authorities and the state. These services are directed toward citizens, businesses, and other public entities operating within the Neapolitan territory.

The Prefecture’s distinguishing attribute lies in its regulatory and supervisory role, which places it at the intersection of internal security, public safety, and administrative governance. It is tasked with monitoring compliance with national directives, coordinating police forces, and managing emergency response plans for natural or man‑made incidents. The office routinely handles sensitive personal data, including identification documents and financial records, as part of its statutory duties. The 2019 cyber attack by Anonymous and LulzSecITA, which exposed approximately 5.4 gigabytes of such data, highlighted the challenges associated with protecting this information. As a public sector body, the Prefecture is not a privately owned company but an integral part of the Italian state apparatus, ultimately answerable to the Ministry of the Interior. Its organisational structure reflects that of a government department, with no private shareholders or parent‑company relationships beyond its placement within the national administration.