human capacities. There were 245 applications with 34 won projects for the Seven Framework Programme FP7, which expreesed in percentage is a total of 13.87%. This is a very low result in comparison with the regional countries. The above situation highlights the need for further efforts in stimulating applications by Albanian researchers in the EU scientific research programmes. An agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on the participation in the Horizon Framework 2020 – Programme for Research and Innovation was signed in July 2014. Future challenges are related to the new reforms that the government is undertaking in the higher education and scientific research and innovation field, intending to: (i) expand and increase the quality of the scientific research and innovation in Albania based on the OECD indicators; (ii) actively increase the inclussion of the scientific research institutions in the European Research Area (ERA), (iii) improve the quality and orientation of the scientific research toward the market needs through the strengthening of ties of national and international programmes with the business. Secure information society Secure communications, electronic certification The National Authority on Electronic Certification has been functioning since 2009. This institution is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the law, other sub-legal acts as well as standards and technical requirements that must be met by the Provider of the Certification Service, which issues electronic qualified certificates. Currently, there are two CSPs registered at the ANEC: -The National Agency for Information Society (NAIS), which offers its service for the 18 employees of the public administration. This service is free of charge for these employees. - ALEAT SHPK, which offers its service for the state and private sectors, pursuant to the concenssion contract this institution has with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Based on the digitalization of services provided to the citizens, efforts are being made for the electronic services, such as, the electronic authentication and signature, which allows for the user’s identity verification and that of the signed document, in order to facilitate their utilization in distance and to guarantee the safety in relation to the required standards in the field. A new law on the Electronic Signature and Identification is on its way. This new law intends to transpose the European Regulation No. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and Council, dated 23 June 2014, “On the Electronic Identification and the Credibility Services related to Electronic Transactions in the Internal Market” and repeal Directive 1999/93/EC. On computer security Apart from the ammendments of the Criminal Code in 2008 and the inclussion of provissions for the cyber crime pursuant to the European Council Convention (CoE 185), the sector for the cyber crime was established within the State Police and ALCIRT (National Agency for Computer Security) in 2011. Currently, the website of the State Police offers the service of online reporting of computer crime by reporting the types of violations or cyber crime in http://www.asp. gov.al/denonco_kk/raportim.php. It is necessary to have more information and awareness by the users of this website and the cyber crime. A draft of the document related to computer security expected to be adopted soon, is in process. The increase of using ICTs technology presents the need for strengthening the ca-