A MAJOR REORGANIZATION OF THE SERVICES FOR INFORMATION AND SECURITY WAS EFFECTED BY THE PASSAGE OF LAW NO. 801 ON OCTOBER 24, 1977. THIS ARTICLE OUTLINES THE OPERATIONS OF AGENCIES DESIGNED TO PROTECT NATIONAL SECURITY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON SISDE AND SISMI. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ITALIAN POLICE WHICH HAVE BEARING ON SECURITY AND THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ARE DISCUSSED: COOPERATION BETWEEN SISDE AND SISMI ON THE ONE HAND AND THE POLICE FORCES ON THE OTHER IS EMPHASIZED. THE CREATION OF A CENTRAL OFFICE FOR GENERAL INVESTIGATION AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS, CONSISTING OF A GENERAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION, A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION, TWO ANTITERRORIST DIVISIONS, AND A CENTRAL OPERATIVE SECURITY NUCLEUS, IS DESCRIBED. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CENTRAL OFFICE AND OTHER SECURITY OR POLICE ORGANIZATIONS ARE EXAMINED. THE INFORMATION FUNCTIONS OF THE DIVISIONS AND OTHER OFFICES COVER CRIMES AND THREATENING OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHICH INVOLVE THE PUBLIC ORDER, STATE SECURITY, NEOFASCIST OR OTHER ATTEMPTS TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT, TERRORISM, AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY. ALSO DESCRIBED ARE THEIR GENERAL INFORMATION TASKS; INFORMATION TASKS FOR THE SAFETY AND REESTABLISHMENT OF THE PUBLIC ORDER; AND INFORMATION TASKS FOR THE PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION OF ACTS AGAINST THE STATE AND THE PUBLIC ORDER, TERRORIST ACTS, AND POLITICAL ACTS AGAINST THE STATE AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. TWO ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS ARE INCLUDED. -- IN ITALIAN. (DAS)