Israel-Albania cyber cooperation after 2022 Iranian-attributed attacks
Status: Cooperation reported; memorandum text not retrieved.
Summary
After cyberattacks on Albanian government systems in July and September 2022, which Albania attributed to Iran (Iran denied responsibility), Albania cut diplomatic ties with Iran. Israel offered cyber help in September 2022. Rama visited Israel in October 2022 and met Gaby Portnoy, head of Israel's National Cyber Directorate. A cyber cooperation memorandum was reportedly signed in February 2023. The cooperation is documented in press reports; the memorandum text was not retrieved.
Key facts
- Albania attributed the July 2022 attack to Iran; Iran rejected the accusation (Algemeiner/VOA reporting)
- Rama visited Israel on 23 October 2022 (Algemeiner)
- Top Channel reported the memorandum signed 1 February 2023 in Tel Aviv by Portnoy and Igli Tafa
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Rama visited Israel in October 2022 and discussed cyber cooperation with Israeli officials (multiple reports)
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationSurveillance technology supply linked to diplomatic support (advocacy source only)
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationAdvocacy Substack alleges Israeli deep-packet-inspection devices were offered for diplomatic support (unverified)
Open questions (2)
- Text of the 2023 memorandum
- Any procurement or vendor contracts under the cyber cooperation
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha cited Israel's help after the 2022 attacks as the reason cybersecurity is central to the October 2026 agreement (Greek Reporter)
Timeline
Full timeline →International
Cyberattack on Albanian government systems; Albania attributes it to Iran
Albania attributed a July 2022 cyberattack that shut government services to Iran; Iran rejected the accusation as baseless. Albania later cut diplomatic relations with Iran (reported by VOA and Algemeiner).
International
Israel offers cyber-defence help to Albania
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid pledged cyber-defence help to Albania citing the common Iranian threat (Times of Israel).
Government
Rama visits Israel; meets head of National Cyber Directorate
Rama's three-day visit began 23 October 2022. He met Gaby Portnoy and the two sides agreed to cooperate on cybersecurity (Algemeiner, Times of Israel reporting).
Government
Cyber cooperation memorandum signed (Tel Aviv, reported)
Top Channel reported a memorandum of cooperation signed 1 February 2023 in Tel Aviv between Gaby Portnoy (Israel National Cyber Directorate) and Igli Tafa (AKCESK). Memorandum text not retrieved; a single major outlet reports the date.
Government
Albania-Israel cooperation agreement on trade, agriculture, energy, technology and cybersecurity
Albania's Foreign Ministry announced an agreement with Israel covering trade, agriculture, energy, technology and cybersecurity (Greek Reporter, 13 Oct 2026; reported as signed on a Monday). Times of Israel reported Sa'ar signed an expanded cooperation agreement with his Albanian counterpart in Tirana and praised Rama's fight against antisemitism.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 7 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 2 sources
- Publisher
- The Algemeiner
- Date
- 24 Oct 2022
- Publisher
- The Times of Israel
- Date
- Sep 2022
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 1 source
- Publisher
- VOA via GlobalSecurity.org
- Date
- 24 Oct 2022
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 1 Feb 2023
- Publisher
- The Albanian Mechanism (Substack, advocacy)
- Date
- 2023
- Publisher
- Greek Reporter
- Date
- 13 Oct 2026
- Publisher
- The Times of Israel
- Date
- 2026