Albania has signed a cooperation agreement with American company Jones International to strengthen the country’s digital security systems.
In the last year, Albanians have suffered multiple data leaks that saw their personal information, including name, employer, mobile number, ID card, voting preference, salary and car registration, leaked to the media. Furthermore, in 2021, Defence Minister Niko Peleshi noted how vulnerable Albania and institutional digital systems were to attacks.
The government called on Jones International to support increasing the protection of sensitive data.
During Rama’s speech in Tirana at the signing of the agreement, he said a national cyber defense center will be established in Albania and will work with the military.
“We highly appreciate this opportunity to cooperate with you to address the great challenge of setting up a sizeable cyber defence centre, to be in the service of our army, but also all aspects related to the civilian part of society. It is an extraordinary challenge, but we are convinced that with your help, support, and courage not to be afraid, we will be able to have a national security centre, to be an added value for NATO, and provide services beyond the borders of Albania”, said Rama.
Director of the company, James L. Jones, a former US Navy General and White House national security advisor, said he feels honoured to help Albania fight against cybercrime.
“We will work with Albania to make it more secure in cyber security. There are clear and obvious dangers. I congratulate the Prime Minister on the vision to turn his country into a secure position. I also think it is an expression of the bilateral relations between the US and Albania that have always been strong,” he said.
Jones added, “Albanians must be responsible for their own safety. We look forward to working in accordance with your priorities to liberate Albania from the worry of cyberattacks.”
Meanwhile, Albania is also moving towards improving data protection laws by bringing them in line with the EU’s GDPR.
