The Iranian Cyberattacks in Albania: Actors, Tactics, Targets

Objective – The paper analyses the Iranian cyber-attacks in Albania, a small but strategically important nation in the Balkans. It examines the cyber incidents attributed to Iranian actors, highlighting the tactics employed, targeted sectors, and the objectives behind these operations. As geopolitical tensions between Iran and Albania have escalated in recent years, mainly due to Albania's support for an Iranian dissident group, Tehran has increasingly resorted to cyber warfare as a tool of influence and retaliation. By assessing the effectiveness of these cyber campaigns and their implications for Albania's national security, this study contributes to the broader understanding of how state-sponsored cyber activities are being used as foreign policy instruments. Goal – Through this analysis, the study aims to shed light on the complex dynamics of state-sponsored cyber aggression and its impact on national and regional security. It also examines cyber-attacks as a tool by foreign states, Iran in this case, to achieve political goals. In addition, the study emphasises the possibility of future Iranian cyber-attacks in other Balkan states to promote its strategy and that of its allies. Methodology – This study prioritised selecting diverse and reliable sources to ensure a comprehensive analysis. Sources were chosen based on their relevance to the research topic, reliability, and diversity, incorporating academic articles, analyses from cyber research companies, journalistic reports, and official publications. This approach ensured a balanced and trustworthy foundation for the research.