Press Release

Tirana, October 21, 2024

Albania’s National Cybersecurity Team Completes First-Ever Participation at the European Cyber Security Challenge 2024

The Albanian National Cybersecurity Team has proudly marked a milestone by representing the nation for the first time at the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC) 2024. This prestigious event, held in Turin, Italy, brought together elite young cybersecurity talent from across Europe. Albania’s team showcased their skills, determination, and potential while gaining invaluable experience in an environment that demanded technical excellence and teamwork.

This participation proved to be an important journey for the team, composed of ten young members aged 14 to 24 who were selected after an open  screening and around the clock process. While the team performed well in the simulation demo day of the competition, we acknowledge that there is room for growth. The competition highlighted areas for improvement and provided a wealth of lessons that will strengthen Albania's approach to international cybersecurity challenges in the years to come.

Building Connections and Expanding Networks

Aside from the technical experience, ECSC 2024 offered the Albanian team an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, exchange knowledge, and expand their professional network within the European cybersecurity community. These connections will serve as a valuable resource as team members continue to improve their skills and explore the dynamic field of cybersecurity.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Team Norway (NTNU), whose faculty members were the first to invite and guide the Albanian team through the ECSC process. Their support, willingness, and effort were essential in making ECSC a remarkable experience for Albania. These long-term connections, their expertise, and willingness to expand in the WB region, are a clear message that we belong to the same ground, political, geographical, or technical. It is now our job to do our part in the best way possible. 

Looking Ahead: Preparations for ECSC 2025 Begin in November – Albania’s Independence Month

Building on the lessons and experiences gained this year, Albania is already gearing up for ECSC 2025. Preparations will begin in November, a month of national pride as Albania celebrates its Independence Day. The recruitment and training process will focus on developing both technical skills and teamwork, equipping the next generation of cybersecurity 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, international experts, all designed to ensure the Albanian team is prepared to take on Europe’s best.

Statements from Key Stakeholders

"We are very happy that we could made it to join ECSC 2024 as a full member, and of the commitment the team demonstrated as Albania’s first representatives at this competition," said Edlira Martiri, ECSC Steering Committee member for Albania. "While we acknowledge there is room to improve, the insights gained and connections made will strengthen our approach in the future. This is a valuable step forward for our young talent and for Albania’s growing role in European cybersecurity." Also, this year representation brought a particular element to the overall competition. "It was particularly inspiring to see that most of our team members were women, bringing strong female representation to an international stage. The encouragement and enthusiasm from everyone were overwhelming, and this recognition has energized us to continue building on our team's strengths.".

The participation of Albania’s team in ECSC 2024 was made possible through the invaluable support of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), who plays a leading role in organizing ECSC and fostering the growth of young cybersecurity talent across Europe, the Italian Cybersecurity National Lab (CINI), as the local ECSC organizer, provided essential sponsorship, strengthening Albania’s presence at this prestigious event. Locally, Cyber Morfosis (CM) has supported the team by providing resources, and mentorship, helping to build a solid foundation for the national team.  

For media inquiries, interviews with team members, or more information on this or upcoming initiatives, please contact:

Edlira Martiri, ECSC Steering Committee Member, Albania
DDR. Information Systems UT, Albania | Information Security, NTNU, Norway
Email: edlira.martiri@unitir.edu.al

About the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC)
The ECSC is an annual European competition that aims to identify, foster, and bring together young cybersecurity talent from across Europe. Supported by ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, ECSC promotes cybersecurity skills and collaboration through a series of complex, real-world challenges designed to test participants' technical abilities and teamwork.