Digital technologies are transforming the way people work and live, and they are also reshaping how businesses operate or structure their business models. However, this transformation introduces additional challenges to both our personal lives and business security.
For instance, businesses have the option to implement various Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security measures, practices, and protocols to proactively prevent incidents and ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of their data and ICT systems.
In contrast to numerous European nations, the business landscape in Albania has not prioritized ICT security measures as significantly. Eurostat’s data from 2022 reveals that merely 64.7% of businesses with over 10 employees, excluding those in the financial sector, have implemented at least one ICT security measure to safeguard their ICT systems and data. In comparison, the European Union’s average stands at 91.8%.
Albania’s ranking in this aspect places it third from the bottom in Europe, trailing behind neighboring countries North Macedonia (61.6) and Montenegro (62.4).
This low adoption of security measures makes businesses within the region susceptible to technological attacks, potentially posing substantial disruptions to their daily operations.
A previous study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), an internationally recognized professional services provider in the field of cybersecurity in the Western Balkans, discovered that Albania reports an annual average of 600-700 cyber incidents. These incidents span both the public and private sectors. Nevertheless, the substantial emigration of the country’s youth and the shortage of skilled human resources have left the nation without adequate protective measures.
Cyberattacks directed at businesses and the profiling of companies and end-users have been on the rise in Albania since the onset of the pandemic. Furthermore, the nature of these attacks has evolved, with organized attacker groups replacing amateurish attempts.
The report emphasizes that the ongoing process of digitization in Albania is viewed as one of the region’s most significant potential future cybersecurity challenges. According to respondents in Albania, these attacks typically have diverse objectives, primarily revolving around identity, including the acquisition of personal data.
Across Europe, the situation is notably different. Eurostat’s 2022 data highlights that 92% of businesses in the European Union have employed at least one ICT security measure to safeguard their ICT systems and data. In contrast, only 36% have adopted seven or more security measures.
The predominant security measures preferred by most EU companies include robust password verification (utilized by 82% of EU businesses), data storage in separate locations or computer clouds (78%), and network access control (65%).
