OSCE Albania

Summary

The OSCE Presence in Albania’s primary aim is to enhance cyber and ICT security to improve community safety and stability in the region. Their activities include raising awareness about cyber threats, offering information sessions, creating online safety guidelines, and supporting Albania’s Cybersecurity Strategy. These efforts align with OSCE-wide initiatives focused on reducing conflict risks stemming from ICT use and addressing non-state cyber threats, ultimately contributing to regional stability and security. 

Details

Aim

The primary goal of the OSCE Presence in Albania is to contribute to cyber and ICT security by enhancing community safety and stability in the region. 

Context

The OSCE Presence in Albania has a mandate to promote democratization, the rule of law, and human rights while consolidating democratic institutions in accordance with OSCE principles, standards, and commitments. An essential aspect of their work is enhancing cyber and ICT security, focusing on reducing the risks of conflict arising from the use of ICTs. 

Outcomes

OSCE -wide initiatives in which Albania participates: 

1. Promote Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs): OSCE participating States are working on implementing CBMs to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of ICTs. These measures aim to make cyberspace more predictable and to provide tools and mechanisms to prevent misunderstandings, including: 

• A mechanism for consultations between states to de-escalate potential cyber/ICT security incidents. 
• A platform for sharing national cyber/ICT security policies and approaches to enhance mutual understanding in cyberspace. 
• Work items focused on protecting critical ICT infrastructure for collective cyber resilience in the OSCE region. 

2. Address Non-State Threats: 

The OSCE and its institutions are committed to addressing cyber/ICT security threats from non-state actors, including organized criminals and terrorists. The emphasis is on promoting timely responses by national authorities to evolving threats, from improved forensics to innovative strategies to prevent ICTs from facilitating terrorist activities. 

The OSCE Presence in Albania initiatives:

Promote Cybersecurity Awareness: The OSCE Presence in Albania is actively engaged in raising awareness and providing information sessions on cyber-enabled threats in collaboration with the National Authority for Electronic Certification and Cybersecurity. This initiative includes conducting awareness campaigns and information sessions in multiple municipalities, guidelines for online safety for students and parents, and regional cyber camps with technical capacity building components. 

Support National Cybersecurity Strategy: The OSCE Presence in Albania will continue to support the National Authority for Electronic Certification and Cybersecurity in finalizing its Cybersecurity Strategy 

Activities

• Conducting awareness campaigns and information sessions on cyber-enabled threats in collaboration with the National Authority for Electronic Certification and Cybersecurity. 
• Developing guidelines for online safety for students and parents. 
• Organizing regional cyber camps with technical capacity building components. 
• Supporting the finalization of the Albania’s Cybersecurity’s Cybersecurity Strategy. 

Additional contact information

Brunilda Halili, National Community Safety Officer, Office: +355 4 2240001