Albania’s Parliament faced a cybersecurity threat as it allegedly fell victim to a cyberattack. The intrusion temporarily disrupted parliamentary services as hackers attempted to breach the data system, raising concerns about the potential consequences of Albania Parliament cyberattack.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Albania’s Parliament assured the public that the cyberattack had not compromised the integrity of its data system. However, experts are diligently investigating the cyberattack on Albania’s parliament to assess the extent of the potential repercussions.
The statement also confirmed that services would resume once the necessary security measures were in place.
Decoding the Albania Parliament Cyberattack
This recent incident follows reports of cyberattacks on a local cell phone provider and an air flight company on the same day. While these attacks were allegedly attributed to Iranian-based hackers known as Homeland Justice, independent verification remains elusive.
In July 2023, Albania experienced a cyber assault, which was attributed to Iran and led to the shutdown of online public services and various government websites. The responsibility for this attack was also claimed by the Homeland Justice hackers.
Research from Mandiant confirmed a lack of evidence of the attack to any specific threat actor, raising concerns about the threat actor and their origins. The cyberattack in July was perceived as retaliation for Albania providing shelter to members of the Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK). The fallout from the attack prompted the Albanian government to sever diplomatic ties with Iran two months later.
Cyberattack on Albania’s Parliament, Government, and More
In response to accusations, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied involvement in the cyberattack on Albanian government websites, emphasizing that Iran itself had been a target of cyberattacks from the MEK.
Tensions escalated when Albanian authorities raided a camp for exiled MEK members in June, seizing computer devices allegedly linked to prohibited political activities.
Albania has been hosting around 2,500 Iranian exiles since 2013, with strict conditions prohibiting any political activities that go against the country’s laws. In a move supported by the United States, NATO, and the European Union, the Albanian government took measures against the perceived threat posed by the MEK.
MEK’s media spokesperson, Ali Safavi, refuted claims that the reported cyberattacks in Albania were connected to the presence or activities of MEK members. Safavi also criticized the notion that MEK members in Albania should refrain from engaging in political activities, asserting that they should enjoy all rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.
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