NATO Locked Shields 2026

The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) participated in the largest and most complex cyber defence exercise in the world, contributing to the strengthening of national capacities and the exchange of interinstitutional expertise.

In this context, AKSK played a key role in coordinating and supporting experts from major national institutions, including AKSHI, the Armed Forces Academy, Albania Cyber Command, SHISH, as well as representatives from critical and important information infrastructures. Through advanced simulation scenarios, cooperation and response to cyber incidents were tested under conditions closely resembling real-world environments.

The exercise included complex cyber crisis scenarios, focusing on the protection of critical infrastructure, the security of industrial systems (SCADA/OT), 5G networks, and real-time incident management.

Participation in this exercise directly contributes to enhancing operational readiness and strengthening interinstitutional cooperation, in support of protecting the country’s critical systems and services.

During the visit, the students were welcomed by the Director General of AKSK, Bledar Kazia, who highlighted the importance of engaging young people in the field of cybersecurity and the role of international initiatives in capacity building and knowledge exchange.

Following this, AKSK staff presented the institution’s activities, focusing on how cyber space monitoring is carried out, as well as the analysis and management of incidents and coordination with other institutions to ensure the security of digital systems. The visit provided an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the functioning of cybersecurity structures and to strengthen the link between academic learning and institutional practice.

AKSK extends its appreciation to Startup Albania, ProTik, Pyramid of Tirana, and Innovation Hub for their support in the successful organization of this event.

These messages aim to manipulate users by creating a sense of urgency, panic, or false trust, directing them to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial data.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, AKSK recommends that citizens exercise increased caution and follow these guidelines:

Do not click on suspicious links
Do not open links sent via SMS, email, or social media from unknown or unverified sources.

Do not share sensitive data
No legitimate institution will request the following information via SMS:

• Bank card number;
• CVV / PIN;
• OTP or verification codes;
• Passwords or other personal data.

Verify the website address
Beware of fake domains that imitate official websites of institutions or companies. Before entering any data, carefully check the website address and make sure the communication comes from official sources.

Be cautious of urgent messages
Phrases such as “You have an unpaid bill,” “Your account will be blocked,” or “Act immediately” are often used to trigger a quick response and deceive users.

Key signs of smishing

Fraudulent messages often share several common characteristics, such as:

• Unexpected messages from unknown numbers;
• Unusual or shortened links;
• Requests for urgent payments;
• Requests for personal or banking data;
• Spelling mistakes or unprofessional wording.

If you have clicked on a suspicious link

If you have opened a suspicious link, you are advised to act immediately:

• Do not enter any personal or financial data;
• Close the webpage immediately;
• Change your account passwords;
• Contact the relevant institution, bank, or company for verification;
• Report the case through official channels.

AKSK calls on citizens to remain vigilant toward any suspicious communication and not to act hastily before verifying the source of the message.

Report any suspicious case. Stay alert!

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.