Cybersecurity Education in Albania and the Development of a Supportive Training Platform

By Klevisa SULA, Agim KASAJ

Abstract
At a time when cybersecurity represents one of the greatest challenges for organizations, public and private institutions in Albania still face a lack of awareness and the necessary knowledge to protect sensitive systems and data. Cyberattacks have become a serious threat to the stability and security of institutions. Malicious actors increasingly employ advanced techniques to infiltrate information systems, aiming to steal data, disrupt services, or manipulate information. Ransomware, phishing, network attacks, and threats to critical infrastructure are among the most common forms of these challenges. The scale and complexity of cyberattacks have grown significantly, placing organizations in a reality where security is no longer optional but a necessity. In addition to external threats, organizations also face internal risks related to the lack of proper knowledge and security practices. The absence of structured training, incident response protocols, and clear risk management policies makes it even more difficult to confront such attacks. In Albania, these problems are further emphasized due to limited institutional awareness and the lack of a well-established cybersecurity culture. This situation requires immediate intervention to build a sustainable foundation of knowledge and defensive capabilities. The primary objective of this thesis is to identify these challenges and develop an educational mechanism to address them. As part of this goal, an interactive platform called Albania Cyber Learning System has been developed, offering both theoretical and practical content on cybersecurity. The platform is designed to enhance the knowledge and defensive skills of employees across various institutions, representing an important step toward building a sustainable and inclusive cybersecurity culture in Albania.

Keywords: Cybersecurity, Albania, awareness, cyber threats, education platform, resilience

https://doi.org/10.58944/kokr5725