Approval of law on cyber security

Official Bulletin no.22, dated 13 February 2017

On 26.1.2017, the Parliament of the Republic of Albania approved Law no.2 / 2017 ”On cyber security”, whose purpose is the achievement of a high level of cyber security, by defining security measures, rights, duties and mutual cooperation between entities operating in the field of cyber security.

This law applies to communication networks and information systems, the damage or destruction of which would have an impact on health, safety, economic well-being of citizens and on the effective functioning of economy in the Republic of Albania.

Excluded from the application of this law, are electronic communication networks and information systems that are subjected to legal regulations in force for the electronic signature, electronic identification and trusted services, electronic communication networks and information systems that process, archive or transmit classified information, as well as electronic communications networks and information systems, to the extent provided for in the legislation on electronic communications in the Republic of Albania.

The law decides to establish an authority that will be the responsible body in the field of cyber security, as well as the creation of Teams of Response to Incidents of Cyber Security which consist of specialists in the field of cyber security, at any operator that manages the critical infrastructure of information.

Finally, the bill contains provisions that determine the definition of a state of cyber crisis and measures to be taken in such circumstances, as well as contains a separate chapter which provides for administrative sanctions in cases of administrative offenses and when the authority finds deficiencies in the implementation of security measures issued pursuant to this law.