Moldova Takes Critical Steps Towards Strengthening Cybersecurity and Election Integrity

As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of digital infrastructure, Moldova has taken a significant step towards enhancing its cybersecurity and election integrity by adopting a new law requiring incident reporting, safeguards, cooperation, and network standards for medium-sized or larger internet service providers and entities in critical sectors.

Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures

According to experts, this development is an “excellent first step” towards increasing cybersecurity hygiene and private sector notifications of incidents. Additionally, the government has begun using distributed cloud servers, which will further bolster its digital defenses.

Importance of Insider Threat Prevention

However, Moldova must take a more comprehensive approach to strengthening its security posture, including adopting insider threat and access principles. Insider threats are responsible for over half of all cyber incidents, making it crucial that institutions prioritize cybersecurity measures.

Ensuring Election Integrity

As Moldova prepares for presidential elections in 2024 and parliamentary elections in 2025, ensuring the integrity of these processes is paramount. The country has faced numerous challenges, including Russian disinformation efforts, election observer violations, and concerns about pressure on public employees and vote buying.

Combating Propaganda and Promoting Free Information

To combat these threats, Moldova must prioritize combining cyber defense with institutional strengthening and combating propaganda. This includes: * Addressing language rights versus the rights of its speakers * Supporting access to information free from manipulation by malign forces, particularly in light of Russia’s high-volume and multichannel propaganda efforts

A Stable and Democratic Moldova is Crucial for Regional Stability

The stakes are high, with Russia and its proxies pushing Moldova to the brink. However, strategic investments made over the next few years have enormous potential for return, benefiting not only the Moldovan people but also regional stability and the broader international community.

A stable and democratic Moldova supports a free and open eastern Europe, which is fully in line with the United States’ short- and long-term strategic interests.

Quote from Leah Kieff

As Leah Kieff, a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, emphasizes: “This is not a once-in-a-generation but rather a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for institution reforms that underly free societies to prevail in Moldova.”