Albania’s National Cyber Security Team has proudly marked a historic achievement by representing the country for the first time at the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) 2024. This prestigious event, held in Turin, Italy, brought together elite young cyber security talents from across Europe. The Albanian team demonstrated their skills, determination, and potential, gaining valuable experience in an environment that demanded technical dedication and teamwork.
This participation proved to be an important journey for the team, composed of ten young members aged 14 to 24, selected through an ongoing open evaluation process. While the team performed well in the simulated competition, there is still room for improvement. The contest highlighted areas for enhancement and provided valuable lessons that will strengthen Albania’s approach to international cyber security challenges in the years to come.
Building Connections and Expanding the Network
In addition to technical experience, ECSC 2024 provided the Albanian team with an excellent opportunity to forge relationships with peers, exchange knowledge, and expand their professional network within the European cyber security community. These connections will be a valuable resource as team members continue to enhance their skills and explore the dynamic field of cyber security.
A deep appreciation goes to the Norwegian Team (NTNU), whose faculty members were the first to guide the Albanian team through the ECSC process. Their support, readiness, and efforts were essential in making ECSC a special experience for Albania. These long-term connections, their expertise, and the desire to expand collaboration in the Western Balkans send a clear message that we belong to the same territory—politically, geographically, or technically. Now it is our duty to do our part in the best possible way.
Looking Ahead: Preparations for ECSC 2025 Begin in November – Independence Month for Albania
Building on the lessons and experiences gained this year, Albania is already preparing for ECSC 2025. Preparations will start in November, a month of national pride as Albania celebrates Independence Day. The recruitment and training process will focus on developing technical skills and teamwork, equipping the next generation of cyber security talents with the knowledge and resilience to excel at ECSC. Training sessions will include specialized workshops, Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, and guidance from experienced mentors and international experts, all designed to ensure that the Albanian team is prepared to challenge the best in Europe.
Statements from Key Participants
“We are very happy to have joined ECSC 2024 as full members and for the commitment the team showed as the first representatives of Albania in this competition,” said Edlira Martiri, member of the ECSC Steering Committee for Albania. “While we acknowledge that there is room for improvement, the knowledge and connections gained will strengthen our approach moving forward. This is a valuable step forward for our young talents and for Albania’s growing role in cyber security in Europe. Additionally, this year’s representation brought a unique element to the overall competition.”
“It was particularly inspiring to see that the majority of team members were women, bringing strong female representation to an international stage. The encouragement and enthusiasm from everyone were impressive, and this recognition has motivated us to continue building on our team’s strengths.”
The participation of the Albanian team in ECSC 2024 was made possible thanks to the invaluable support of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), which plays a key role in organizing the ECSC and promoting the growth of young cyber security talents across Europe. The National Cyber Security Laboratory of Italy (CINI), as the local organizer of ECSC, provided significant sponsorship, strengthening Albania’s presence at this prestigious event. Locally, Cyber Morfosis (CM) supported the team by providing resources and mentoring, helping to build a strong foundation for the national team.
For media inquiries, interviews with team members, or more information about this or future initiatives, please contact: Edlira Martiri, Member of the ECSC Steering Committee for Albania
DDR. Information Systems UT, Albania | Information Security, NTNU, Norway
Email: [email protected]
About the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC)
ECSC is an annual European competition aimed at identifying, fostering, and uniting young cyber security talents from across Europe. Supported by ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, ECSC promotes skills and collaboration in cyber security through a series of complex challenges based on real-world situations, designed to test participants’ technical abilities and teamwork.
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