Albania Participates in the International Cyber Exercise "Cyber Yankee 2025”

Published: Monday, 19 May 2025 12:33

The Cyber Security Military Unit (CSMU) of Albania successfully participated in the annual international exercise “Cyber Yankee 2025”.The exercise organized by the National Guard of the states of New England and New Jersey within the framework of the State Partnership Program took place at the Edward Cross Training Center in New Hampshire, USA, from May 5-16, 2025.

“Cyber Yankee” is one of the most important tactical-level exercises for cyber defense operations in the USA. It aims to test the ability to respond to incidents affecting critical infrastructure – including energy, gas, and water supply – through close cooperation between armed forces, government agencies, private sector, and international partners.

In its eleventh demonstration, over 300 participants took part, including members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Space Force National Guards of the USA. The exercise was also attended by experts from the US Cyber Command, the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency (CSIA), the Department of Energy, and other federal and state agencies.

Albania was one of the six international partners invited to the exercise, along with the Bahamas, El Salvador, Israel, Kenya, and Paraguay. The Albanian team demonstrated high professionalism in responding to incidents, analyzing threats, and implementing defensive operations in the digital environment.

During the development of this exercise, members of the Albanian team also participated in the “Capture the Flag” (CTF) competitions, organized by the SANS International Institute. These competitions are high challenges in the field of cyber security, where participants test their skills in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in simulated systems. In a competition with over 300 participants, members of the Albanian team achieved extraordinary success, taking the top 4 places, demonstrating not only their high technical level, but also the preparation and professionalism of the Cyber Security Military Unit.

This participation represents an important moment for strengthening national cyber security capabilities and exchanging experiences with international partners. Considering the increase in threats in the digital field, such collaborations are essential for building a coordinated and effective approach to new global challenges in cyber security.