NCSA Holds National Cybersecurity Conference, Focusing on Strengthening the First Line of Defense

The National Cybersecurity Authority (NCSA) held the National Cybersecurity Conference in Tirana on November 3, 2026, under the theme “Enhancing Cyber Resilience: Strengthening the First Line of Defense.” It emphasized that system administrators, security experts, and IT specialists constitute the first line of defense, while strengthening cybersecurity requires shared responsibility and commitment. The Director General highlighted the challenges posed by the use of artificial intelligence to develop attacks and manipulate information, as well as the Authority’s commitment to strengthening technological and human capacities, establishing sectoral CSIRTs, and training ecosystem stakeholders. Referring to nearly 32 million attempted cyberattacks during the first nine months of the year, she underscored the need for continuous investment, vulnerability identification, and information sharing before threats turn into crises. He emphasized EU support for capacity building, legislative alignment, and cooperation with European institutions and regional partners, noting that Albania’s cyber resilience contributes to Europe’s security as a whole. The conference program focused on three key issues: the evolution of cyber threats and the impact of new technologies; operators’ actual readiness beyond mere compliance with legal requirements; and overcoming the shortage of qualified specialists.