“Cybersecurity in the Banking Sector 2025” Forum
On October 24, 2025, in Tirana, was held the “Cybersecurity in the Banking Sector 2025” Forum organized by the Albanian Association of Banks (AAB) in collaboration with the Kosovo Banking Association, as part of Cybersecurity Month. The forum served as a platform to discuss the challenges, risks, and opportunities in the field of cybersecurity in the banking sector, bringing together representatives from public institutions, commercial banks, regulatory authorities, and security experts.
The forum opened with remarks from Mr. Spiro Brumbulli, Secretary General of AAB, who emphasized the importance of institutional and regional cooperation and highlighted the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Police, marking a concrete step toward preventing cybercrime in the banking sector. Mr. Petrit Balija, CEO of Kosovo Banking Association, underlined that interinstitutional collaboration, the adoption of new technologies, and a long-term vision are key to building a sustainable and secure financial ecosystem.
Mr. Igli Tafa, Director General of the National Cybersecurity Authority (AKSK), highlighted the central role of the financial sector in the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025–2030 and noted that the establishment of Security Operations Centers (SOC) will enable real-time incident response while strengthening interinstitutional cooperation.
Participants also gained insights from the Italian experience in cybersecurity and digital risk awareness through an interactive presentation by Mr. Mario Trinchera from CertFin Italy, who shared valuable practices and knowledge with forum attendees.
The forum program focused on two main discussion panels addressing key issues for the future of financial security in the region. The first panel explored cybersecurity governance strategies in the banking sector, challenges in aligning with European directives, and the regulatory framework for managing risks in emerging payment technologies. The second panel addressed the prevention of cyber fraud in payment systems, the evolution of cybercrime in the era of artificial intelligence, and the security of payments through open banking, SEPA, and instant payment systems, providing a comprehensive overview of sectoral challenges and opportunities.
In conclusion, Mr. Reglendi Xhango, Head of the Cyber Emergency Task Force at AAB, emphasized the importance of continuous collaboration between financial institutions and national authorities to address the growing challenges of digital security and to build a strong, reliable, and digitally protected financial system. The forum demonstrated that through institutional and regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technological innovation, a sustainable digital ecosystem can be created where security remains a top priority.
