Policy Paper on Cyber Security 2015 - 2017 Introduction The fast developments of the Information and Communications Technology and the extent of its use almost in all the areas of the activity of society, have highlighted the need for safe and reliable services. The increase in the use of ICT and Internet is changing the society by creating new ways of connection, communication, cooperation and economic development through the access to cyber space. This has made our society more and more dependant on the use of these technologies. In addition to the positive elements, the access to cyber space increases the potential risk for the damage or misuse of data and computer systems. As a consequence of the increase of cyber risks, the security of the integrity of data and confidentiality and a safe access to the cyber space have become one of the biggest challenges, which our society has to face nowadays, turning it into an issue of national security. Albania ranks one of the countries where the development of telecommunications, access to Internet and informatization of the society is advancing very quickly. The increase in the use of communication represents an added value for the economic and social development of the country, but at the same time it makes it vulnerable to cyber attacks against state and private actors. The cyber attacks have the potential to seriously damage the exchange of information between the public institutions, the telecommunication and financial and banking system, by interrupting also vital services.4 This document is developed in support of the new Investment Program of the Albanian Government on ICT:  Improvement of services that are provided to the public;  A safe information society; and The National Security Strategy 2014-2020 (a paragrah is cited from this strategy ‘...on setting and complying with the highest standards for the retention and protection of information in all the forms that it exists, by focusing special efforts for the protection from cyber attacks’). 4 National Security Strategy (NSS), 2014 – 2020 8