Albania’s cyber woes are continuing following two cyber attacks in July and September and the publication of sensitive government communications and data, as some systems in the border police and those relating to registering newborns persist.
While many systems have been restored across the country following the July attack that brought every digital service offline for several days, others are still not in order. Currently, the system is unable to process address data meaning parents of newborn children are unable to register them, resulting in long queues.
Furthermore, a source within the border and migration department said there were still issues in processing applications and renewals of ID cards and documents of foreign residents, risking permits running out and people being slapped with hefty fines.
“But why not announce it and tell what the plan is. Either say no penalty for overstays or say the immigration office will do it via paper until the problem is fixed. Just nothing. They let the rumour mill do their work,” one frustrated foreign resident told Exit.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Yuri Kim spoke at the American Chamber of Commerce event in Tirana, where she said those perpetrating the attack are trying to undermine people’s faith in democracy.
She added, however, that “the US is here to help, we have helped with cyber measures.”
