In the framework of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an event titled “Secure Entrepreneurship in the Digital Era – The Role of Cybersecurity in Business Development” was organized, with the participation of startup representatives, innovation ecosystem actors, and public institutions. The discussions focused on the impact that technological transformation is having on entrepreneurship, as well as the importance of establishing cybersecurity as a fundamental component in the development of digital products and services.
In his remarks, the Director General of the National Authority for Cybersecurity (AKSK), Mr. Igli Tafa, emphasized that rapid technological developments—from artificial intelligence to OT/ICS systems, cloud computing, blockchain, and automated processes—require that new products be built with security integrated from the very initial stages. He noted that startups are not a traditional business model, but a direct response to the changes occurring in the way technology operates, and for this reason they form a key pillar of the National Cybersecurity Strategy. According to him, the expertise gap and the fast pace of development make it essential to modernize curricula, strengthen hands-on practice, and create environments where young people can experiment with contemporary technologies, as innovation and real solutions emerge precisely from fresh ideas and the flexibility that characterizes startups.
The event continued with discussions on secure product development practices, the role of innovative approaches in shaping digital services, and ways in which collaboration among institutions, startups, and academia can strengthen the national innovation ecosystem. In conclusion, it was emphasized that sustainable entrepreneurial development requires a culture in which cybersecurity is an essential part of the innovation process, laying the foundation for an economy capable of meeting the technological challenges of both the present and the future.
