ROME (Reuters) - Italy's government said on Wednesday it had approved new measures to beef up online security and protect critical infrastructure from increasing cyber assaults.

Attacks on computer security have risen significantly in recent years, the government said, citing data from the information technology organization Assinform indicating that 40 percent of attacks take at least four days to resolve.

In 90 percent of cases, attacks succeeded because cyber security systems had not been set up properly.

Mario Monti's cabinet said the decree signed on Wednesday established a structure for national cyber security, including a permanent support unit and a separate arm to manage emergencies.

(Reporting By Catherine Hornby; Editing by Kevin Liffey)