01669nas a2200205 4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260000900043653001800052653001500070653001700085653002000102653001500122653002400137100001800161245007200179300001100251490000700262520119400269 2015 d c201510aCybersecurity10acyberspace10ainstitutions10alaw enforcement10alegal base10aRepublic of Moldova1 aNatalia Spinu00aCreating and Strengthening Cybersecurity in the Republic of Moldova a97-1080 v323 a

Like most of the countries, Republic of Moldova faced the need of protecting its cyberspace against emerging cybersecurity threats. The lack of coordination between responsible institutions, established cybersecurity mechanisms, and well-trained specialists made private companies and public institutions an easy target for cyber attacks performed by malicious actors like hacktivist groups, terrorist organisations and state-sponsored companies. The consequences of such attacks damage reputation, business processes and affect the image of the country on the international scene. This article shares the experience of Moldova in the efforts of planning and building cybersecurity. It is written from the point of view of Moldova’s Cybersecurity Centre – CERT-GOV-MD, whose governmental status and active involvement in national cybersecurity development processes allow to provide a broad overview of different situations, in which Moldova and its state institutions found themselves, and the problems faced along the road to achieving the stated goal. In this regard, the article covers the period from the initiation of building cybersecurity until the most current results.