Albania has been ranked the No. 1 country in the world for national cybersecurity, according to the latest update of the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI).
The country received 98.33 points, placing it at the top of the global ranking, according to the NCSI database operated by Estonia’s e-Governance Academy. The Albanian country profile was updated on August 10, 2026, based on information provided by government officials.
The development marks a dramatic rise for Albania in just a few years. The country was ranked 54th in 2023, before reaching 15th in 2025 and continuing its climb in 2026. Albania had been ranked ninth with 92.5 points earlier this year, according to the National Authority for Cyber Security.
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the latest ranking on Tuesday, describing it as the result of a major transformation of Albania’s cyber defense capabilities following the large-scale cyberattack on Albanian government systems in July 2022, which Albanian authorities attributed to Iran.
Rama said the attack became the starting point for the construction of a new cybersecurity defense architecture, alongside increased professional and technological capacities and cooperation with international partners, particularly Israel.
The NCSI evaluates countries based on their preparedness to prevent cyber threats and manage cyber incidents. Its indicators include cybersecurity policy, institutional structures, education and professional development, protection of critical infrastructure, incident and crisis management, and measures against cybercrime.
According to the latest NCSI assessment, Albania now records full scores in several strategic areas, including its national cybersecurity policy. The country profile also documents Albania’s legal and institutional framework, including the role of the National Authority for Cyber Security.
Rama also claimed that cyberattacks against Albania have continued since 2022 but have failed to produce the disruption seen during the 2022 attack. He attributed the country’s improved resilience to the new defense architecture and international cooperation.
The Prime Minister further claimed that Albania has introduced a proactive artificial intelligence model into its cyber defense architecture, describing it as the first such model in Europe.
Regardless of the political interpretation surrounding the achievement, the NCSI ranking itself is clear: Albania is currently ranked first in the world, with 98.33 points.
