RIYADH: A recent wave of cyberattacks targeting Albanian government institutions has prompted a Naif Arab University for Security Sciences’ call for Arab countries to step up their capacity to deal with cybercrime.

Hackers last month targeted Albania after Iranian diplomats were expelled from the country in response to a series of cyberattacks it claims were orchestrated by the Islamic Republic.

The university said that the state-backed cyberattacks were aimed at destroying infrastructure, and stealing Albanian government data, correspondence and information.

The attacks closed all government websites and services, and prompted some private sector firms to temporarily suspend their services.

“Early detection of the danger of cyberattacks was one of the most important reasons for establishing the university’s Cybercrime and Digital Forensic Center,” NAUSS said in a statement.

The center helps to develop security capabilities in Arab countries to assist in countering and investigating cybercrime, as well as supporting security decision-makers.

NAUSS conducts two specialist training programs, “cybercrime investigator” and “cybersecurity incident responder,” both of which are recognized by Interpol.

The university is planning an international workshop in cooperation with the South Korean police force in 2023 to discuss scientific and technical advances in combating online crime.