The state's integrity in the face of cyberattacks

The responsible authorities should build capacities for protection from such attacks, they stress.

On September 6th, the Government of Kosovo has announced that several websites of state institutions have been the target of a cyber attack, but has not specified which.

The attack, however, has failed to penetrate within the infrastructure of the state computer network, as, as said, “has been blocked by relevant security equipment”.

Government spokesman Progress Kryeziu has said the attack has come from outside Kosovo, but has not provided details of which country.

The cyberattack implies attempts by hackers to gain illegal access to a computer or computer system with the aim of causing damage.

Such an attack can make the computer network sound and thus block the work of institutions, corporations or businesses.

Despite the effort, The REL has failed to get in touch with Kosovo government officials to get more information about the latest cyber attack, how Kosovo has stopped and the capacities it has to combat such attacks.

Butrint Comeon, director of private company, V The OID-International, which deals with cyber security issues in Kosovo and beyond, says it is committed by Kosovo authorities to help investigate this attack.

He says he cannot provide details about this investigation process, but only confirms that the attack has failed to penetrate the computer system.

Speaking of Radio Free Europe, the Commission says that the effects of cyber attacks, in general, may be enormous.

“... impacting state malfunction, getting information, tracking information. They can also cause Total destruction of the” infrastructure, he says.

The community adds that co-operation between state institutions and private companies is necessary to manage and prevent cyber attacks.

“... because state institutions cannot keep up with the newer things, doesn't allow bureaucracy, doesn't allow them to be innovative, like private companies”, he says.

Mentor Hoxhaj, head of the Organisation for Cyber Security and Private Security in Kosovo, says the country does not have enough capacity to handle cyber attacks.

The government would have to strengthen human and technical capacities and those capacities be tested. We, so far, have not tested our systems. Never has a simulated attack, or the way of protection against that” attack been organised, Hoxhaj tells Radio Free Europe.

As a positive step in dealing with cyber attacks, Drirt Elshani, cyber security expert, mentions “the identification of critical infrastructure” on the part of Kosovo institutions.

“Critical infrastructure” is vital to state functioning. These include institutions such as the Central Bank or government agencies.

But what are the motives of cyberattacks?

Hoxhaj says there are two: financial over 90 percent and sponsored by states. The latter, according to him, are aimed at obtaining critical information.

Kosovo has been the target of cyber attacks even earlier. At the end of 2018, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have said they have faced such attacks. According to reports by some media in Kosovo, the Interior Ministry has been the target of such attacks even in February of this year.

In July, the target of cyber attacks has been Albania, which has undergone total blockades of government websites.

Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has said on September 7th that he is responsible for this attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Consequently, Albania has severed diplomatic relations with Tehran.

In late August, the Government in Montenegro has also announced that it has been the target of cyber attacks. Doubts of responsibility have been cast over Russia and Cuba. To investigate this attack, a team of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has already gone to Montenegro.

Experts say it is not only governments that should be aware of cyber security risks. According to them, consciousness should also increase in businesses and especially in the health sector.

Discussions in international circles on this subject have intensified even more since the beginning of Ukraine's Russian occupation, which has also covered with sophisticated cyberattacks