In his remarks, Mr Kazia stressed that cybersecurity is a matter of national security. An attack on the energy, healthcare, telecommunications or financial sectors directly affects citizens, the economy and the functioning of the state. Protecting these sectors requires prevention, coordinated response and the ability to restore services quickly following an incident.

International cooperation and the real-time exchange of threat information were among the priorities highlighted during the panel, alongside the need to develop specialised capabilities in every critical sector.

In this context, Albania’s model for sectoral CSIRTs was presented. Their establishment under the new approach is set to begin in the coming days. These structures will enable specialised incident response tailored to the risks and needs of each sector.

The model has attracted interest from other countries, some of which have requested Albania’s support in understanding and implementing it. By sharing its expertise and the practices developed at national level, Albania is expanding its contribution to cybersecurity across the region.

Growing cybersecurity responsibilities call for skilled professionals, sustained investment in skills development and closer ties between education and the labour market. These issues were the focus of the third session of the National Cybersecurity Conference, organised by Albania’s National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) on 3 November 2026 in Tirana.

The session, titled “More Rules, More Responsibilities, Fewer Experts: How Can We Close the Cybersecurity Capacity Gap?”, examined how to prepare new professionals, develop the skills of existing staff, and attract and retain talent in the field.

The panellists were Pranvera Skana, Deputy Minister of Defence, Prof. Dr. Ismail Kocayusufoğlu, Rector of the Canadian Institute of Technology (CIT), Darko Angelov, Director of the OSCE Department of Security Co-operation, Vanja Madžgalj, Strategic Projects Manager at the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre (WB3C), and Lieutenant Colonel Valëzim Lika, representing the Cyber and Communications Command of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania. The session was moderated by Arli Minga, Director of AKSK’s Directorate for Incident Monitoring and Response and the SOC/C-SIRT Operations Centre. He linked the discussion to operational needs in monitoring, incident prevention and response.

People play a decisive role in translating legal requirements and investment in technology into effective protection. Minga highlighted the role of cybersecurity experts in responding promptly to threats, pointing to AKSK’s cooperation with operators of critical and important information infrastructure, the banking and telecommunications sectors, and international partners. Training, rapid information sharing and awareness-raising are part of this work. Building capacity also requires planning for the skills and resources that emerging technologies will demand.

Deputy Minister of Defence Pranvera Skana said that cybersecurity is comparable in importance to protecting the country’s physical borders. Developing a skilled workforce in this field is a long-term investment, supported in part by degree programmes at the Armed Forces Academy. She stressed that, alongside recruiting young people, institutions must develop the skills of existing staff and foster a culture of responsibility for protecting information and using online services.

Support during studies and clear employment prospects were identified as ways to encourage young people to pursue careers in cybersecurity. Skana highlighted the scholarships and employment opportunities offered by the Academy, linking them to the selection of talented candidates and the institution’s workforce needs.

Prof. Dr. Ismail Kocayusufoğlu discussed the role of universities, emphasising the importance of combining technical knowledge with ethics and hands-on experience. He said that preparing cybersecurity professionals requires curricula that keep pace with technological developments, as well as certification programmes and international cooperation. Given the pace of change, educational institutions need to respond more quickly. Waiting until the following academic year to update programmes can widen the gap between academic training and the skills required in the profession.

Darko Angelov highlighted cooperation between the public sector, the private sector and academia as a way to build capacity and identify new talent. He outlined the OSCE’s work with AKSK on prevention and awareness-raising, including activities for young people and groups that are more vulnerable online. He noted that ethical hacking and guidance on the responsible use of technical skills can help prepare future cybersecurity professionals. Public-private partnerships can also improve incident prevention and response by enabling partners to share expertise and coordinate procedures.

Vanja Madžgalj focused on the need to develop the existing workforce while preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. She presented WB3C’s work to identify the needs of critical infrastructure operators across the region as a basis for its 2027 capacity-building programmes. The areas identified included industrial control system security, incident response, business continuity, exercises and coordination across interconnected sectors.

Madžgalj stressed that broadening the talent pool requires more opportunities for women and young people outside capital cities. Connecting education with practical experience, offering industry mentoring and creating clear career development pathways can help align skills with workplace needs. To address the departure of experts, she proposed expanding the exchange of knowledge and experience among institutions, businesses and universities.

Lieutenant Colonel Valëzim Lika drew on the experience of the Armed Forces to show how academic programmes, work placements, national and international exercises, and hackathons can help identify talent. Once candidates are selected, advanced training supports their professional development. Lika also noted that experts trained in the Armed Forces can go on to contribute to public administration and the private sector, extending the benefits of that investment to cybersecurity across the country.

The discussion highlighted the need for workforce policies that cover the full career pathway, from early exposure to cybersecurity and academic training through to practical experience, employment and continuous skills development. For AKSK, institutions, operators and partners, this requires coordinated action to ensure that workforce capacity keeps pace with legal responsibilities and technological change.

From 12 to 16 October, participating teams will compete in technical Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, testing their skills in cryptography, system security, vulnerability identification, and complex problem-solving.

The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK), as the national organiser of the competition for Albania, has coordinated the selection and preparation of the Albanian team for this European competition.

We thank GIZ Albania, the United Nations Development Programme in Albania, Valbona Resort & SPA, UPay Albania, and Unionnet – Western Union for supporting ECSC Team Albania and contributing to the development of young talent.

Let’s go, Team Albania!

The National Cyber Security Authority of Albania (AKSK) invites girls and women from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to apply for the Western Balkans Cybersecurity Marathon for Girls & Women 2026.

Throughout the Marathon, participants will take part in interactive training sessions, hands-on labs, and practical cybersecurity challenges delivered through a dedicated online platform. The programme is designed to help participants build practical experience, develop their technical skills, and connect with a regional community of young women interested in pursuing and advancing careers in cybersecurity.

Participants who achieve the highest results throughout the Marathon will be awarded prizes.

The Marathon is open to girls and women aged 16–26, including students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, computer engineering, telecommunications, and related fields.

Application deadline: 12 October 2026.
Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/6GALVrfZiR?origin=lprLink

In some reported cases, users have lost access to their accounts. The relevant authorities are investigating how the accounts were compromised.

To protect your account:

• Enable two-step verification under Settings → Account.
• Never share verification codes, passwords, or account details with anyone.
• Check “Linked Devices” regularly and immediately disconnect any device you do not recognize.
• Do not click suspicious links sent by SMS, WhatsApp, or email, especially those asking you to verify your account.
• If you receive a code or a notification about WhatsApp being registered on another device without requesting it, do not share the code or approve the request.
• Secure the email address linked to your account with a unique password and multi-factor authentication.

If you lose access to your account, use only WhatsApp’s official recovery procedures and channels.

A verification code is personal. Even if a request appears to come from someone you know, verify it before taking action.

AKSK Director General Bledar Kazia emphasised that protecting children online begins with a relationship of trust between parents and children. Parental supervision should be accompanied by guidance, so that children feel comfortable sharing their concerns. He also highlighted the importance of introducing digital safety education early, including cybersecurity in the curricula for grades one, six and ten in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, and continuing training for parents, teachers and children.

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu stated that technology should help children learn, create and communicate while safeguarding their safety and well-being. She stressed the shared responsibility to prepare children for the future and equip parents with the knowledge and tools they need to protect them.

Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro emphasised the partnership between schools and families and the active involvement of parents in their children’s education. She also spoke about the after-school programme and the “Parent’s Toolkit” initiative.

Representatives of the State Police and the State Agency for the Rights and Protection of Children also attended the event. During the training, parents received practical guidance on recognising online risks, responding to inappropriate content and contacts, and talking with their children about concerns they encounter online.