Moldova’s Cyber Defences Lag Behind Peers, Experts Warn
Introduction
Moldova has received significant support from European partners to bolster its cyber defences, but experts warn that it still lags behind international standards.
Progress Made, But More Needs To Be Done
While Moldova has made progress in recent years, it still needs to improve in several key areas. These include:
- Establishing a dedicated unit for analyzing cyber threats
- Implementing its new cybersecurity law
- Participating in more international exercises
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has published a commentary highlighting the need for improvement.
International Support
Moldova has received significant support from international partners, including the European Union (EU), Czechia, and Romania. The EU’s Cybersecurity Rapid Assistance programme aims to improve cyber resilience across the public sector and critical infrastructure sectors. However, the programme does not provide operational support for Moldova’s cyber defence, leaving the country vulnerable to large-scale cyber attacks.
Recommendations
Experts recommend that international partners focus on three key areas:
- Establishing a cyber threats analysis unit
- Implementing its new cybersecurity law
- Participating in more international exercises
They also emphasize the importance of peer-to-peer engagement with Moldova’s cyber defenders. “National cyber defence is hamstrung without existing competent cyber defenders embedded within well-structured legislative and organisational systems,” said Joseph Jarnecki, a research fellow at RUSI.
Building National Capacity
Moldova’s partners should prioritize building national capacity through targeted training, vulnerability assessments, and technical support. They should not assume that external emergency responses would be sufficient to secure the country in the event of a large-scale cyber incident.
Entry into NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE)
Moldova’s entry into CCDCOE exercises would provide another important vector for improving its preparedness. “Moldova’s entrance would create greater opportunities for cyber defence cooperation and deepen the pool of knowledge about cyber threat actors,” said James Osborne, a former research assistant at RUSI.
About the Authors
- James Osborne is a former research assistant at RUSI, where he focused on cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
- Joseph Jarnecki is a research fellow at RUSI, specializing in cybersecurity and defence policy. He has published extensively on topics including cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, and military innovation.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the authors and do not represent the opinions of RUSI or any other institution.