The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, emphasized the growing importance of cybersecurity during his speech at the Israel-Albania Cybersecurity Summit, calling it a critical component for financial stability and national security.

Sejko stated that cyber risk is now part of everyday reality, at a time when geopolitical tensions and technological developments have expanded the scope of exposure to attacks. According to him, digital transformation and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector make it even more necessary to strengthen protective mechanisms.

The governor underlined that disruptions in the functioning of financial systems or data leaks damage public trust and the reputation of institutions, calling for a new supervisory approach that prioritizes cyber risk, alongside traditional ones.

In this context, he announced that the Bank of Albania has undertaken a series of concrete measures, including increasing supervisory capacities, cooperating with relevant institutions, and implementing the best international standards for cyber risk assessment.

One of the main instruments is the cybersecurity maturity assessment methodology, built with the assistance of the US Treasury, which includes 93 controls in organizational, human, and technological aspects. The first round of assessment for the banking system has been completed, while a second horizontal assessment is currently underway.

Sejko also emphasized that work is being done to align the regulatory framework with that of the European Union, in particular with the Digital Operational Sustainability Regulation (DORA), which entered into force in January 2025, in line with Albania's objective of EU membership by 2030.

In conclusion, the Governor underlined that the Bank of Albania has continuously invested in building a secure technological infrastructure and in raising staff awareness, ensuring a rapid and efficient response to any cyber incident.