The "Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia" (Italian for "External Advisors of the Family", also known as CEDEF), founded by the 1st Generation Vongola Cloud Guardian, Alaude, are the external advisors for the Vongola Famiglia. The CEDEF is a secret intelligence organization independent from the Vongola. Its headquarters is disguised as an ordinary business's building. When Giotto, the Vongola Primo, was naming Ricardo as the Vongola Secondo, the former wanted to split the power in the Famiglia to have balance; thus, he commissioned Alaude to create CEDEF.