Israeli cyber chief meets Albania’s PM, praises country for cutting ties with Iran

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama meets with Gaby Portnoy, head of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate.

Portnoy presents the Albanian leader with Israel’s broad approach to cyber security, its active defense measures, and its national cyber “Iron Dome.” He also offers several options for assistance and cooperation in cyber defense.

According to the Israeli readout of the meeting, Rama expresses particular interest in Israel’s approach to cybersecurity, especially regarding critical national infrastructure.

“Iran doesn’t pay enough of a price for its nonstop attempts to cause harm in the civilian cyber realm without distinction,” says Portnoy. “The approach Albania’s government took when it condemned and imposed sanctions on Iran gets the message across that there is a price for aggressive activities, and this approach must be continued.”

The professional echelon in both countries will hold a series of videoconferences in order to flesh out how the two countries will cooperate in cybersecurity moving forward.

Albania, a NATO member, cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in September after a series of cyberattacks over the summer that it attributes to the Islamic Republic.