Cyber threats are evolving, and so are the regulations designed to protect businesses and consumers. Across Europe, frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), and the NIS2 Directive set strict rules for cybersecurity, operational resilience, and data protection. Albania is following suit with two major laws: Law No. 124/2024 on Personal Data Protection and Law No. 25/2024 on Cybersecurity.

What does this mean for businesses in Albania and beyond? If you operate in finance, technology, healthcare, or critical infrastructure—or work with EU-based clients—you need to act now to ensure compliance.

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What’s Changing?

1. Data Protection Law (124/2024) – Aligning with GDPR

Albania’s new data protection law mirrors GDPR, enforcing stricter rules for how organizations handle personal data. Here’s what businesses need to know:

🔹 Who does it apply to? Any company processing the personal data of Albanian citizens—even if the business is based outside Albania. 🔹 What’s new? Stronger rights for individuals, including:

• Right to access personal data
• Right to rectification (correct inaccurate information)
• Right to erasure (also known as the “right to be forgotten”)
• Right to data portability (transfer data between providers) 🔹 Stricter security obligations – Companies must improve security controls, appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) where necessary, and follow strict data breach protocols. 🔹 Stronger international data transfer rules – Businesses must ensure secure cross-border data transfers with binding corporate rules or contractual safeguards.

Failing to comply could mean heavy fines and reputational damage—a risk no company should take lightly.

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2. Cybersecurity Law (25/2024) – Aligning with NIS2

With cyberattacks increasing, Albania is strengthening its cybersecurity framework to align with the EU’s NIS2 Directive. This law applies to essential and important sectors, including financial services, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, and cloud services.

Here’s what it mandates:

🔹 Stronger cybersecurity measures – Businesses must establish clear risk management processes, security monitoring, and network resilience. 🔹 Mandatory incident reporting – Significant cyber incidents must be reported promptly to Albania’s national cybersecurity authorities. 🔹 Third-party risk management – Companies must ensure their suppliers and service providers meet cybersecurity requirements. 🔹 Executive responsibility – Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. Boards and senior management are now accountable for compliance.

Ignoring these requirements could lead to legal consequences, financial losses, and damaged business relationships.

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3. DORA – Strengthening Financial Sector Resilience

For financial institutions, DORA introduces strict rules on cybersecurity and operational resilience.

🔹 Cyber Risk Management – Banks, insurers, and financial service providers must implement continuous monitoring, security testing, and encryption. 🔹 Third-Party Risk Oversight – Increased scrutiny on IT vendors, cloud providers, and outsourcing partners. 🔹 Incident Reporting & Governance – Financial institutions must report cyber incidents quickly and transparently. 🔹 Resilience Testing – Companies must conduct stress testing and vulnerability assessments to detect weaknesses before cybercriminals exploit them.

Albanian financial institutions operating in the EU market or partnering with EU companies must meet these strict requirements—or risk exclusion from the market.

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Why Should Businesses Care?

Compliance is no longer optional—it’s a business necessity. If your company fails to comply with these laws, you could face:

❌ Regulatory fines that could severely impact your financial health. ❌ Reputational damage—losing customer trust can be hard to recover from. ❌ Operational disruptions due to cyber incidents and security breaches.

On the other hand, proactive compliance offers several advantages:

✅ Improved cybersecurity—protect your business from cyber threats. ✅ Competitive edge—demonstrate your commitment to security and data privacy.

✅ Business continuity—minimize disruptions and strengthen resilience.

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How Can SINTEZA CO Help?

Navigating these evolving regulations requires expertise, strategic planning, and proactive risk management. At SINTEZA CO, we specialize in:

🔹 Regulatory Compliance Audits – Helping businesses meet GDPR, DORA, NIS2, and Albania’s cybersecurity & data protection laws. 🔹 Cyber Resilience & Incident Response Planning – Building robust security frameworks to mitigate threats. 🔹 Third-Party Risk Management – Ensuring your suppliers and IT service providers meet security standards. 🔹 Data Protection Frameworks – Implementing GDPR-aligned governance policies to safeguard customer information. 🔹 Training & Awareness Programs – Educating teams on compliance best practices and cybersecurity resilience.

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Act Now: Secure Your Business & Stay Compliant

Regulations are evolving—will your business be ready?

📞 Contact SINTEZA CO today for our FREE Resilience Assessment or compliance consultation and ensure your organization is secure, resilient, and compliant.

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