FORUM

The Albanian Association of Banks and the Association of Kosovo Banks co-organized the forum “Cyber Security in the Banking Industry”, supported by the European Fund for Southeast Europe. The forum took place on October 25, 2023, in Pristina and was attended by representatives of banks in Albania and Kosovo.

Cooperation between financial institutions, organizations, and state institutions is important in preventing cyber threats. This forum served as an excellent platform to share information about threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices of cyber defense between the two countries. Building a strong network of contacts in the field of cyber security is, among others, what is required now to increase security in this area.
The Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Ahmet Ismaili, delivered a welcoming speech.
Organized in two sessions, the Forum aimed to exchange ideas, knowledge, and resources.
The first panel discussed the topic “Legal, regulatory compliance and cyber security”. The discussion on regulatory requirements and standards related to cyber security is a key point in strengthening the protection of the banking sector from cyber threats, therefore the first panel of the forum discussed exactly these issues. The role of transparency and information, reflection in the existing framework according to EU directives, and strengthening of their implementation was emphasized.
“Strengthening cyber defense through cooperation and best practices in the banking industry” was addressed by the second panel discussion. The guests on the panel from Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, experts in the field, emphasized the importance of cooperation between institutions, knowledge of best practices, sharing of experiences, threats to the system, and the necessity of educating the public.
The “Cyber Security in the Banking Industry” forum was an activity of special importance for the banking sector, for increasing security, promoting cooperation between Kosovo and Albania, and staying informed about the rapidly evolving threat landscape. By working together to develop and implement common security standards, we are better prepared for any cyber risk in today’s digital world.