Abstract:
Although smart governance is starting to appear in underdeveloped nations, there are serious privacy and cybersecurity concerns that need to be addressed. This has the potential to revolutionize government operations. A study was carried out to pinpoint particular cybersecurity and privacy issues in the context of smart governance in developing nations. The results show that since smart governance systems rely on a lot of personal data that could be exploited for things like profiling or monitoring, data collecting and storage are significant privacy concerns. Developing nations might not have the means or expertise to put robust cybersecurity safeguards in place, making them open to cyberattacks. Third-party contractors may have laxer cybersecurity policies, and trusted insiders may abuse their access credentials, adding to the risk to government networks. Cybercrime poses a serious risk, and political attacks could target intelligent governance systems, jeopardizing their integrity and undermining public confidence in governmental institutions. The study's conclusions emphasize how crucial it is to address cybersecurity and privacy issues while creating intelligent governance systems in underdeveloped nations. Enacting strict data protection legislation, funding cybersecurity infrastructure, and giving government workers priority cybersecurity awareness and training are all imperative. Albanian citizens suffered from cyberattacks more than once where most of their private data from the official government app “E-Albania” was leaked. In addition, there should be regular risk assessments, audits, and the establishment of explicit protocols and procedures for handling cybersecurity issues. In order to strengthen cybersecurity skills and effectively counter cyber threats, international collaboration and information exchange might also be beneficial.
Introduction: Sh.XH. contributed to defining the overall scope of the study by identifying the key cybersecurity and privacy challenges within the Albanian digital governance context. Sh.XH. led the framing of the research question, drawing from the national case of Albania and emphasizing the importance of international best practices in securing government networks.
Literature Review: A. N. conducted an extensive review of prior research on smart governance and cybersecurity threats, particularly in developing countries. She. identified key works by West (2005), Heeks (2006), and Kshetri (2010), and contextualized them within the Albanian landscape. A.N. provided critical insights into how the findings of previous research could inform current efforts to enhance Albania’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
Methodology and Data: B.B. designed and executed the data collection methods. He conducted quantitative analysis of cybersecurity breaches in Albania and the broader Balkans, analyzing statistical trends in attacks, particularly post-2020. B.B. also ensured that the data gathered from respondents were anonymized and ethically handled.
Research Results and Comments: M. M. interpreted the research results, analyzing the trends and patterns emerging from the data. He provided key insights into the relationship between insider threats and the vulnerabilities of Albanian digital governance systems. M.M. also led the discussion on the implications of these findings, particularly focusing on the increased attacks on Credins Bank and other private sector targets.
Conclusion and Recommendations: E.T. synthesized the findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers. She drafted the final policy recommendations, advocating for stronger legal frameworks, improved digital literacy programs, and phased implementation of smart governance systems. E.T. also emphasized the need for Albania to collaborate with international cybersecurity bodies and integrate two-factor authentication for sensitive government services. The team collaborated on the final editing and approved the version for publication.
