Official Journal open cyberspace promotes social and political engagement, breaks down communication barriers between countries, communities, and citizens, and ensures transparency, allowing interaction with and exchange of information and ideas in real-time worldwide. All the developments and growing use of information and communication technologies have brought great benefits, but also threats, which makes cyber defense and security-critical. Various groups and individuals with malicious interests perpetuate continuous efforts in the cyberspace, which impact the progress and functioning of states. Privacy breaches and identity theft are also increasing and highly concerning problem for society at large. On the one hand, the government is increasingly investing in digital infrastructure to provide digital services to citizens. On the other hand, the public is increasingly using the internet because of the advantages it offers. As a developing country, Albania relies on information technology as well, intending to improve the quality of life and public services. Alongside the advantages of using new digital technologies, internet use also has its issues related to cybersecurity. Cyberthreats are on the rise, taking advantage of technological weaknesses or lack of knowledge inadequately using these tools, thus threatening information systems security. One of the current and ongoing challenges in many countries is the building of a developed digital society, which is cybernetically protected, equipped with the required knowledge and skills to maximize benefits and manage risks. Under the “National Security Strategy 20142020” and the “Cybersecurity Policy Paper 2014-2017”, Albania has taken important steps to improve its cybersecurity situation. Alongside the developments in the technology and information field, and the public services digitalization revolution, the legal framework on cybersecurity was completed and improved upon. Due to this progress, Albania has improved its rank in the Global Cybersecurity Index Page|1486 Year 2021 - Issue 7 compared to 2017 from 89th to 62nd globally and top 36th in Europe. However, this process has not yet reached the change scale and pace required to stay ahead of the fast-moving evolution of the various cyber threats. Cybercrime is undoubtedly one of the major threats to modern global security and for this reason, cybersecurity has become an important part of national security. For this reason, the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2020-2025 development is a necessity for the establishment of the relevant institutional mechanisms that will improve the cybersecurity level in the country. This strategy will be based on the following core principles to meet government commitments and to be incomplete coherence with the strategic developments in developed countries: - application of the same core values in both the physical and digital worlds; - fundamental rights, freedom of expression, personal information, and privacy protection; - access for all; - democratic and effective governance; - joint responsibility in guaranteeing cybersecurity. 2. ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT SITUATION IN ALBANIA The current cybersecurity situation in Albania was evaluated in cooperation with the relevant institutions and is based on the following 4 pillars: 1. Cybersecurity situation; 2. Cybersecurity legal framework; 3. Safe internet for children; 4. Education, research, and training on cybersecurity 2.1. Cybersecurity situation 2.1.1 Critical information infrastructure The “National Security Strategy” adopted in 2014 has provided the national framework and pillars to increase security in the country. Being a developing country without the necessary cybersecurity legal infrastructure, this field has only been developing in the last two years in Albania, over which critical and

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