Organized by the Albanian National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK), the camp focused on strengthening cooperation among Western Balkan countries and creating a shared space for the development of young cybersecurity talents through discussions, practical sessions, and real-world cyber scenario simulations.

In his opening remarks, AKSK Director General Bledar Kazia highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and the role of young people in building a safer cyber future for the region, emphasizing that no country can face cyber threats alone and that cooperation, shared expertise, and young professionals are key to strengthening cyber resilience in the Western Balkans.

Throughout the camp, participants took part in discussions, panels, and interactive sessions focused on some of the most current cybersecurity topics, including AI-driven threats, disinformation, protection of critical infrastructures, cyber diplomacy, technological challenges, and the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening digital security. During these sessions, cybersecurity professionals, institutional representatives, academics, and international partners shared experiences and perspectives on the latest developments in the cybersecurity ecosystem and the growing need to invest in the next generation of cyber professionals.

One of the main activities of the camp was the Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, which provided participants with an intensive practical and collaborative experience. Participants were organized into mixed regional teams with representatives from all participating countries and worked together to solve technical challenges, analyze cyberattack scenarios, identify vulnerabilities, and respond to practical tasks in real time.

During the CTF, participants were supported by AKSK experts, representatives from academia, national CIRT teams, and alumni from previous editions of the camp, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment focused on developing practical skills, teamwork, and the exchange of experiences among young people from across the region.

Beyond the technical and professional aspect, the camp created valuable opportunities for networking, building long-term connections, and strengthening the regional cybersecurity community by bringing together young people with shared interests and a common vision for the digital future of the Western Balkans.

AKSK expresses its gratitude to all participants, speakers, mentors, and partners who contributed to the successful organization of this edition, especially GIZ, Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Center (WB3C), Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), and the OSCE Presence in Albania, for their continuous support and cooperation in strengthening cyber capacities and regional collaboration.

In this context, the National Cyber Security Authority, in cooperation with ITU, is organizing in Tirana an event under the theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” with the participation of representatives from national and international institutions, partner organizations, and the academic community.

During the opening ceremony, the Director General of the National Cyber Security Authority, Bledar Kazia, emphasized the fundamental role of human capital in the digital era, underlining that security is not merely a function of technology, but the result of the people who lead it. He highlighted that an ecosystem that does not fully include girls and young women remains inherently incomplete and, consequently, less secure, while inclusion is a prerequisite for sustainability, innovation, and real security.

In the same vein, Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister, Albana Koçiu, stressed that true progress in the digital age is not solely a matter of algorithms, but above all a matter of access and equal opportunities. She noted that Albania is advancing rapidly in its digital transformation and, through the Albania 2030 vision and the implementation of the Digital Agenda 2022–2026, is placing girls at the center of this transformation by ensuring equal access and benefits, increasing participation in STEM, and investing in digital skills.

She further added that the success of this progress is also reflected in the achievements of Albanian girls and women on the international stage, mentioning prominent figures such as Mira Murati, and reaffirmed the commitment to create more opportunities for every girl aspiring to lead the industries of the future.

For his part, the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, highlighted that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is already a reality, and that the choice lies between being passive participants or active contributors in shaping it. He underscored the importance of empowering girls to actively engage in this transformation, noting that when girls shape the digital future, their impact goes beyond technology and transforms society itself.

The event is being held as part of this year’s international celebrations, co-organized by Albania in collaboration with Brazil, reflecting the global dimension of this initiative and the importance of international cooperation.

The program includes high-level discussions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and gender inclusion in technology, as well as a hybrid international session between Albania and Brazil.

Based on the preliminary assessment, no encrypted or deleted data have been identified, and no service disruptions have been detected as a direct consequence of this incident.

Immediately upon receiving the notification, the Authority initiated all procedures предусмотрed under incident response protocols, establishing a dedicated working group composed of cybersecurity experts. This group promptly began its work in close coordination with the technical staff of Albanian Post, focusing on:

• conducting an in-depth analysis of the incident and verifying any potential compromise;
• identifying indicators of compromise (IOCs);
• analyzing logs and events across critical systems;
• isolating and securing systems to prevent any further impact.

As part of preventive measures and to enable a comprehensive technical analysis, some services were initially temporarily taken offline by Albanian Post, upon the recommendation of the Authority. Currently, all public services are operational.

Meanwhile, certain data suspected to have been exfiltrated have appeared in open sources and are currently being verified for authenticity and origin. At this stage, the volume of potentially exposed data is assessed to be limited.

The National Cyber Security Authority condemns any act that compromises critical information infrastructures and remains committed to ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information technology systems in the Republic of Albania.

The Authority will continue to inform the public transparently on further developments and will publish a final report upon completion of the analysis.

For official information, citizens and media are advised to rely exclusively on the official communication channels of the National Cyber Security Authority.

The Marathon was organized into three main categories: the Marathon for Universities and Vocational Schools, the Marathon for Girls and Women, and the Special Marathon for Persons with Disabilities, reflecting a broad and inclusive approach. The format of this initiative generated strong interest, with more than 1,000 applicants, of whom over 500 competitors were selected to actively participate in the competitive phases.

Throughout the implementation period, participants were tested through professional-level technical challenges, implemented and administered via the SimSpace platform, funded by the United States Department of State. The platform provided a realistic and standardized environment for assessing skills. The challenges included analysis, incident management, proactive simulations, and the resolution of highly complex scenarios.

In his address, Igli Tafa, Director General of the National Cybersecurity Authority, emphasized that the National Cybersecurity Marathon represents a unique initiative in terms of organization, scope, and inclusiveness, designed for the first time as a single format bringing together university students, girls and women, as well as persons with disabilities. He underlined that this marathon serves as a concrete mechanism for talent identification and professional capacity building, which are essential for the protection of critical and important information infrastructures in the country, as well as for the secure development of digital services nationwide.

For her part, Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Education, praised the National Cybersecurity Marathon as an initiative that goes beyond technical competition and should be seen as a starting point for a continuous process of awareness-raising and education. She stressed that cybersecurity cannot remain solely within the circle of professionals, but must be extended as a culture and shared responsibility among children, youth, parents, and educational institutions.

Winners of the National Cybersecurity Marathon 2025

Marathon for Girls and Women
First Place: Ana Kaci
Second Place: Adriana Roci
Third Place: Irva Dafa

Marathon for Students
First Place: Earta Joca
Second Place: Sidrit Zela
Third Place: Orgito Leka
Third Place: Firdeus Dikellari
Third Place: Asim Lecini
Third Place: Emanuel Dervishi
Third Place: Abdurrahman Seitaj
Third Place: Arkel Lahi

Special Marathon for Persons with Disabilities
First Place: Dorina Olldashi
Second Place: Erblin Karaj
Third Place: Alvaro Dunja

Marathon for Universities
First Place: Armed Forces Academy
Second Place: Faculty of Information Technology
Third Place: “New York” University